Bhutan is situated in the Eastern
Himalayas of southern Central Asia and is bordered on
the north and Northwest by the Tibet Autonomous Region
of China and to the west, Southwest, south and east with
Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and
Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan is a land
locked mountain kingdom roughly the size of Switzerland,
in the eastern Himalayas. With a population of 600,000
spread over 46,000 sq km.
Bhutan is the last unspoiled Himalayan kingdom often
known as Shangri-La. For a country of its size, Bhutan
is a land of spectacular contrasts and stunning beauty.
The southern foothills, at an altitude of 1,000 ft to
4,500 ft are covered by dense tropical forest, which
abounds with wildlife. These regions are mostly in
habitated by Lhotsampas (Nepalese immigrants who are
given Bhutanese citizens nationally) and most of them
are agriculture workers.
Most industrial areas are also located in southern
region. The fertile central valleys (3,600 - 8,500 ft)
are covered by verdant coniferous and deciduous forests
and dotted with numerous monasteries, temples and dzongs.
Western Bhutan's major valleys of Ha, Paro, Thimphu,
Punakha / Wangduephodrang are intensely cultivated. The
people in these valleys are well-to-do and they build
large homes of rammed earth in which several generations
often live together. The formidable Black Mountains,
rising to over 16,000 ft forms a natural boundary
between Western Bhutan and Central Bhutan. Central
Bhutan is made up of several districts where different
dialects are spoken. Khyeng, in the south, is covered by
semi-tropical jungle and is famous for its bamboo and
ratten ware. Further north is Trongsa, home of one of
Bhutan's most impressive dzongs. Bumthang's four
valleys, between 8,530 - 13,000 ft with their
picturesque countryside, beautiful coniferous forests
and numerous Religious sites are often known as the
"Heart of Bhutan". Eastern Bhutan, home of the Sharchops
("people of the east"), is generally warmer. The eastern
women are renowned for their weaving skills and produce
fine textiles of silk and cotton. Northern Bhutan, lying
largely above 11,500 ft is region of glacial valleys,
alpine meadows and is home to the semi-nomadic
yak-herders of Lingshi, Laya and Lunana, have almost no
contact with Western civilisation and trade only in
bartered goods. Towering above this magnificent trekking
country are the eternal snow-clad peaks of the majestic
Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Gangkar Puensum, rising to
over 23,000 ft. |