The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked nation in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalaya Mountains and is bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by Peoples Republic of China. Bhutan is separated from nearby state of Nepal to the west by the Indian state of Sikkim. The Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul (Dzongkha) which means "Land of the Thunder Dragon".
Bhutan used to be one of the most isolated nations in the world, but developments including direct international flights, internet, mobile phone networks, and cable television have increasingly opened the doors. Yet, Bhutan has balanced modernization with its ancient culture and traditions under the guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Rampant destruction of the environment has been avoided. The government takes great measures to preserve the nations traditional culture, identity and the environment. Accordingly, in 2006 Business Week rated Bhutan the happiest country in Asia and the eighth happiest country in the world citing a global survey conducted by the University of Leicester in 2006 referenced to as the "World Map of Happiness".
The landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. After centuries of direct monarchic rule, Bhutan held its first democratic elections in March 2008. Among other international associations, Bhutan is a member of the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
"Bhutan" may be derived from the Sanskrit word Bhu-Utthan (highlands). In another theory of Sanskritisation, Bho a-anta means "At the end of Tibet", as Bhutan is immediately to Tibets south.
Historically Bhutan was known by many names, such as Lho Mon (southern land of darkness), Lho Tsendenjong (southern land of the Tsenden cypress), Lhomen Khazhi (southern land of four approaches) and Lho Men Jong (southern land of medicinal herbs).
Capital: Thimphu
Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)
Area total: 47,000 km2
water: 0 km2
land: 47,000 km2
Population: 672,425 (2005 census)
Language: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Religion: Vajrayana Buddhist 75%, Indian and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Electricity: 220V/50Hz
Calling Code: +975
Internet TLD: .bt
Time Zone: GMT +6
Demonym: Bhutanese
Government: Constitutional monarchy
King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Prime Minister: Jigme Y. Thinley
Bhutan is divided into four dzongdey (administrative zones). Each dzongdey is further divided into dzongkhag (districts). There are twenty dzongkhag in Bhutan. Large dzongkhags are further divided into subdistricts known as dungkhag. At the basic level, groups of villages form a constituency called gewog and are administered by a gup, who is elected by the people.
Bumthang
Chukha (old spelling: Chhukha)
Dagana
Gasa
Haa
Lhuntse
Mongar
Paro
Pemagatshel (Pemagatsel)
Punakha
Samdrup Jongkhar
Samtse (Samchi)
Sarpang
Thimphu
Trashigang (Tashigang)
Trashiyangtse
Trongsa (Tongsa)
Tsirang (Chirang)
Wangdue Phodrang (Wangdi Phodrang)
Zhemgang (Shemgang)
