Bhutan
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Name: Kingdom of Bhutan (also called 'Land of Thunder Dragon'). History: During the 1500's Bhutan was under Tibetian rule but from 1865-1949 it was protected by Britain. In 1949 when it became independent it placed its foreign affairs management in the hands of India which helped to build roads, develop hydroelectric power and mine coal. Television is banned and people wear their National costume. Size: 47,500 sq km. Location: In the Himalayas. It is a land locked South Asian nation situated between India and Tibet. Telephone Country Code: +975 Border Countries: Tibet, Bangladesh, China and India. Climate: Bhutan may be called land of extremes with hot and humid climate in southern plains Oak forests in the center and ice covered mountains in the north which are very cold. Terrain: Entire country is mountainous except for an 8-10 mile wide strip of sub tropical plains in the extreme south, intersected by a valley called Duars. Population: 2005 census - 672,425 Population growth rate: 2.2% pa Ethnic group: Bhote - 50%, Ethnic Nepalese - 35%, Migrant Tribe - 15%. Religions: Lamaistic Buddhists - 75% Indians and Nepalese influenced by Hinduism 25%. It is only country in the world to retain tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism. Literacy: Adult literacy - 42% Official Language: Dzongkha. English and Nepali are also spoken. Government Type: Monarchy Capital: Thimpu Constitution: Began in 2001 to draft Supreme constitution and on 26 March 2005 it was distributed to all citizens of Bhutan for opinion and feedback. Executive branch: King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the head assisted by the Prime Minister Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup. Legislative branch: The King appoints prime minister as the head of the government. 
Flag: Rectangular National flag is divided diagonally and has white Dragon across the middle. Upper part of the flag is yellow which symbolizes secular power of the king while the lower part is orange symbolizing Buddhist religion.National days: December 17 which commemorates accession to the throne of Vgyen Wangchuk the first king of Bhutan on december 17, 1907. National Anthem: Druk Isendhen National Animal: Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) National Bird: Raven (Corvus corax) National Tree: Cyprus National Flower: Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia) Curency: Ngultrum (BTN) Motto: One Nation One People Economy: Bhutan receives subsidy from India. 11% of land is cultivated and 93% of work force is engaged in agriculture. Main Exports: Timber and Wood products, Coal, Rice, Oranges, and Apples, distilled spirit, talc and cement. Places to see: Dzong of Punaakha buid in 1637 on West central Bhutan. |