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Sandwiched between two Asian Giants, the small Himalayan kingdom is truly one
of the last
Shangri- las. Mysterious and alluring, the land of the thunder dragon
has always fascinated the
outside world. Unexplored and uncharted until a few
decades ago the tiny Himalayan kingdom is still
rustic, timeless and extra ordinary
- free from the trappings of modern day life. A trip into the country
provides
a glimpse of the myriad colors of Bhutanese lifestyle - unspoilt yet stimulating.
The
castle like Dzongs that rise over the various towns with their gently tapering
walls, large stone
cluttered courtyards and beautiful galleries are uncommon
architectural wonders special to Bhutan.
Gurgling streams, high snow capped
peaks, green terraced fields, green alpine forests and sprawling
valleys form
a backdrop to Bhutanese way of life.
Bhutan is a land locked Mountain
Kingdom and one of the few last kingdoms in
this part of the world that is still ruled by a King. Better
know as DRUK YUL
or land of the Dragon, Bhutan is an extraordinary place hardly touched by the
hands of time. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas and opened to Westerners
only in 1974 it offers
glimpses of the ancient way of how people lived in this
Himalayan region.
Rich in culture
and tradition, Bhutan has a lot to offer with architectural
wonders of amazing monasteries and
Dzongs. Visitors have been mesmerized, the
environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture are
awesome, the people
are hospitable and charming, and the culture unique in its
purity.
BHUTAN AT A GLANCE
| Area |
: |
46,620
sq. Km (approx. size of Switzerland) |
| Geography
|
: |
Located
between Tibet in the north,
Indian states of West Bengal and Assam in the
south, and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
|
| Capital
|
: |
Thimpu |
| Population
|
: |
2,049,412
(July 2001 est.) |
People
|
: |
Bhote 50%,
ethnic
Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% |
| Languages
|
: |
Dzongka
is the official
language. |
| Currency |
: |
Ngultrum
Equivalent to Indian Rupees (US$ 1 equals to Nugltrim. 48 approximately)
|
| Political
system |
: |
Monarchy
|
| King |
: |
King
Jigme
Singye Wangchuck |
| Prime Minister
|
: |
Lyonpo
Yeshey Zimba |
| National
Holiday |
: |
National
Day
(Ugyen Wangchuk became first hereditary king), in 17 December (1907)
|
| Religion |
: |
Lamaistic
Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% |
|