The Kingdom of Bhutan (also
Bootan) is a landlocked South Asian
nation situated between India and Tibet, People's
Republic of China. The entire country is mountainous
except for an 8-10 mile wide strip of subtropical
plains in the extreme south which is intersected
by valleys known as the Duars. An extensive
census done in April, 2006 resulted in a population
figure of 672,425. Thimphu is the capital and
largest city.
Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations
in the world; foreign influences and tourism
are heavily regulated by the government to preserve
its traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Most Bhutanese follow either the Drukpa Kagyu
or the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The official language is Dzongkha. Bhutan
is often described as the last surviving refuge
of traditional Himalayan Buddhist culture.
The northern region consists of an arc of glaciated
mountain peaks with an extremely cold climate
at the highest elevations. Most peaks in the north
are over 23,000 feet above sea level; the highest
point is claimed to be the Kula Kangri,
at 24,780 feet, but detailed topographic studies
claim Kula Kangri is wholly in Tibet and
modern Chinese measurements claim that Gangkhar
Puensum, which has the distinction of being
the highest unclimbed mountain in the world,
is higher at 24,835 feet. Watered by snow-fed
rivers, alpine valleys in this region provide
pasture for livestock, tended by a sparse population
of migratory shepherds. The Black Mountains
in central Bhutan form a watershed between two
major river systems: Mo Chhu and Drangme Chhu.
Woodlands of the central region provide most of
Bhutan's forest production. The Torsa,
Raidak, Sankosh, and Manas
are the main rivers of Bhutan, flowing
through this region. Most of the population lives
in the central highlands. In the south, the Shiwalik
Hills are covered with dense, deciduous forests,
alluvial lowland river valleys, and mountains
up to around 4,900 feet above sea level.
Bhutan's economy is one of the world's smallest
and least developed, and is based on Agriculture,
Forestry, and the sale of hydroelectric
power. Agriculture provides the main livelihood
for more than 80% of the population. Agrarian
practices consist largely of subsistence farming
and animal husbandry. Handicrafts,
particularly weaving and the manufacture
of religious art for home altars are a
small cottage industry and a source of income
for some. A landscape that varies from hilly to
ruggedly mountainous has made the building of
roads, and other infrastructure, difficult and
expensive. This, and a lack of access to the sea,
has meant that Bhutan has never been able to benefit
from significant trading of its produce. The industrial
sector is minimal, production being of the cottage-industry
type. Agricultural produce includes Rice,
Chilies, Dairy (Yak) Products, Buckwheat,
Barley, Root Crops, Apples,
Citrus and Maize at lower elevations.
Industries include Cement, Wood Products,
Processed Fruits, Alcoholic Beverages
and Calcium Carbide. |
