Introduction
Historically known as Lho Mon (the southern land of darkness), Lho Tsendenjong
(the southern land of cypress), Lhomen Khazhi (the southern land of
four approaches), and many other names, the outside world calls the
country “Bhutan”– the meaning of which is shrouded
in myth and mystery.
The people call themselves Drukpa and their country Drukyul, the Land
of Thunder Dragon, or simply Druk, Dragon, the creature that adorns
the national flag.
Location and Size
Located in the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, the kingdom
is landlocked between the two great Asian civilizations, Tibet (China)
to the north and the Indian States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim
& West Bengal in the East, West, & South. The country lies between
latitudes 26' 45’N & 280" 10’N, and longitudes
88' 45'E & 92' 10’E. It has a total area of 38,394 square
kilometers.
Topography
Its physical geography consists mostly of steep and high mountains crisscrossed
by a network of swift rivers, which form deep valleys before draining
into the Indian plains. The land rises from 200 in the southern foothills
to 7000 meters high northern mountains. Within this latitudinal range
are found a diverse biodiversity rich enough to be considered as one
of ten global environmental ‘hotspots’. About 72.5 per cent
of the area is under forests, and the law requires the country to maintain
60 per cent forests cover for all times to come
Climate
The climate varies hot subtropical climate in south to cold alpine slopes
in the north. Human settlement is confined mostly to interior river
valleys and a swath of southern plains; nomads and other tribes live
in the north, raising sheep, cattle and yaks.
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of
Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country. The central valleys of
Punakha, Wanguephodrang, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi
tropical climate with very cool winters, whilst Thimphu, Trongsa and
Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the
summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter, which often blocks the passes
leading in the central valleys. Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November
until mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry, with
day time temperature falling below zero. The monsoon usually arrives
in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly
arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking until mid-November.
Society
Society was traditionally divided into the zhung (monarchy and bureaucracy),
dratshang (religious community), and misey (people) without a caste
system. During the medieval period, when a loose form of feudalism prevailed,
people working for the kings and lords in different dzongs (forts) were
categorized by their professions. But the division was not rigid since
anyone could rise to the highest position. All people were taxpayers.
Ethnic Groups
There are three main ethnic groups. Sharchop largely live in eastern
Bhutan and the Ngalop of western Bhutan were people of Tibetan descent
who immigrated as early as the fifth century. People of Nepalese origin
settled in the south of the country toward the end of the nineteenth
century. However, the ethnic division is becoming blurred with increasing
intermarriage, migration, and settlements.
Language
Bhutanese speak as many as nineteen dialects besides Dzongkha, the national
language and lingua franca. English is the official language. Nepali
is spoken in some southern dzongkhags.
Religion
: Drukpa Kagyue school of Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion. Hindu
is the dominant faith in the South. Some residues of Bon, animism and
shamanism still exist in some pockets of the country.
Foreign Trade
In 2002, Bhutan total export is worth 5,261.8 million, and Nu. 8,023.7
million import, recording a trade deficit of Nu. 2761.9 million. India
continues to be the main trading partner (Nu. 4,919.1 million) followed
by Bangladesh (22.7 million) and 120.o million from other countries.
Electricity, products of chemicals, metal, wood and processed food,
mineral products, textiles, stones, cement and asbestos products are
the main export items. Bhutan’s import items are fuel, cereals,
motor vehicles, machinery and mechanical appliances, metal products,
plastic and rubber products. The major importing countries are India
(75%), Japan (4%), United Kingdom (4%), Singapore (3%) and Thailand
(3%) and 11% from other countries. are. Sale of electricity constitutes
43.7% of the total exports.
Telecommunications
The cellular mobile service was started only by 11th November 2003.
The urban teledensity was about 15 percent compared to one percent in
rural areas.
Government
In 1998, His Majesty devolved executive powers to the council of ministers
that was elected by the chimis (Members of Parliament) of National Assembly
(parliament). Different constituencies consisting of one or more gewogs
in turn elect the chimis. The king is now the head of the government.
The government is elected by the parliament for a five-year term, with
the head of the government or post of prime ministers rotating amongst
the five ministers securing maximum votes.
At district
level, Dzongda functions as the chief executive officer, and the gup
(head man) elected by the people is the chief executive officer at gewog
level. Under the policy of greater decentralization and empowerment
of the people, the Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu and the Geog Yargye Tshogchung
have been given full administrative, policy making and financial powers
in their respective Dzongkhags. Therefore, the success of development
programmes will now be determined by the decisions taken by the people
and the quality of their participation in implementing them.
Politics
The establishment of monarchy is the watershed event in the history
of modern Bhutan. The country enjoyed peace and progress under successive
reformist monarchs. The third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
reformed the old psedo-feudal systems by abolishing serfdom, redistributing
land, and reforming taxation. He also introduced many executive, legislative,
and judiciary reforms.
The fourth
and present king, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, took decentralization
to the people, and devolved all executive powers to a council of ministers
elected by the people in 1998, besides introducing a system of voting
no confidence in the king, which empowered the parliament to remove
the monarch. The national Constitution Committee started drafting of
the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan in 2001 has been presented
to the Lhengye Zhungtshog (Cabinet). The Draft Constitution will be
distributed to the people in 2005, which would be followed by public
consultation. Its implementation will establish parliamentary democracy
in the country.
Administrative Division
The country is divided into twenty administrative units called dzongkhag.
The larger dzongkhags are further divided into sub-district called dungkhag.
A group of villages are grouped to form a constituency called gewog
and administered by gup who is also elected by the people. Judiciary:
His Majesty the King is the final court of appeal. The Royal High Court
is the apex of the judiciary system. It is supported by district court
in all 20 dzongkhags. There are sub-district courts called dungthrim
in larger dzongkhags. At villages the gup and chimis settle petty disputes.
Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture
can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people
and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for
local customs, way of life especially while visiting religious institutions.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability,
meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly,
socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable and for these
reason the number of tourists visiting Bhutan are kept to an environmentally
manageable level.
Imports & Export of Following Goods
are strickly prohibited
a) Arms, ammunitions, explosives and military stores.
b) All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs.
c) Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species.
d) Antiques. Also visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing
old and used items. Custom authorities will not allow any old / used
items to be taken out of the country if they have not been certified
as no – antique. Imports of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine
regulations. These items must be cleared on arrival.
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Population
The population
is estimated at 734,340 (2003), 53% of them being the youth. The growth
rate decreased from 3.1% in 1994 to 2.5% in 2000. In 2000 sex ratio
is 94.7 males per 1000 females.
Population: 734,340
Male: 370,805
Female: 363,535
Agriculture
Forest (%): 72.5
Pasture (%): 3.9
Agriculture (%): 7.8
Horticulture (%): 0.1
Settlement (%): 0.1
Others (%): 15.6
Age Composition (%)
0-14: 42.1
15-59: 50.7
60+: 7.2
Urban Population(%): 21.0
Rural population(%): 79.0
Population Density: 18.7
Median Age(years): 19.4
Index of aging: 10.1
Industries
(2002)
Production
& Manufacturing: 730
Services: 4,478
Contract: 9,102
All Sectors: 14,310
Energy
(2002)
Towns Electrified: 40
Village Electrified: 690
Consumers ('000): 36
Electricity consumption (MU): 402
Electricity consumption (MU): 402
Economy
Agriculture
is the backbone of the economy which contributes about 33% of the GDP
and about 70% of the population depend on it for livelihood.GNP and
GDP: The nominal GDP at market is estimated at Nu. 29,086 million and
a per capita GDP estimated at Nu. 40,598, equivalent to US$ 835. The
GNP per-capita is Nu. 35,954 (US$740). Agriculture (or RNR sector: agriculture,
animal husbandry and forestry) dominates with 33.2% of the GDP, despite
is declining share. Its real growth was 22.6%. Mining sector recorded
12.8% growth rate, contributing only 1.8% to GDP. Manufacturing sector’s
contribution to GDP was 7.2% and it recorded 0.4% growth. The hydro-power
contribution was 10.8%, while construction sector’s contribution
increased to 10.8%. Services sector contribution stands at 21.7% to
GDP.
Agriculture and livestock raising are the mainstays of the economy.
They contribute about 45 per cent to GNP. More than 90 per cent of the
people live on subsistence farming. The farms are narrow pieces of land
cut into terraces on hill slopes. Forestry contributes 15 per cent to
GNP and industry and mining 10 per cent.
Arts and Crafts
Bhutan is known for handicraft items in bronze, silver and other metals.
Sculpting of religious figures is widely practiced and every temple
houses large brightly painted and gilded status of the Bhuddha and other
saints.
Geography
Area (sq.km): 38,394
Dzongkhags (Districts): 20
Geogs(Blocks): 201
Currency: Ngultrum
Language: Dzongkha
Capital: Thimphu
Life expectancy (1994)
Male (years): 66.0
Female (years): 66.2
Total Fertility rate, 2000: 4.7
Health (2002)
Doctors: 122
Hospitals: 29
BHUs: 166
Indigenous hospitals: 1
Safe drinking water (%): 78
Health Coverage (%): 90
Education
The modern
western education was introduced only in early 1950s. Before that structured
monastic education and traditional education imparted through oral tradition
were predominant. In 2004, there were 1, 55,000 students. The enrolment
rate has reached 72 % while literacy rate is 54%. The government provides
free education. The average life expectancy is 60 years.
Private Schools: 18
Community Schools: 188
Primary Schools: 90
Lower Secondary Schools: 77
Middle Secondary Schools: 23
Higher Secondary Schools: 16
Institutions: 14
Transport & Communications
There are
a total of 3,700 km of road network in the country. In the 9th plan,
782 km of new roads is planned covering 134 km of national highway and
648 km of rural roads (feeder and farm roads). Paro Airport caters to
the air transport operated by national airline Drukair which operates
flights to New Delhi, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Calcutta and Rangoon. New
routes are added to Bodgaya for Buddhist pilgrims. The addition of two
AIRBUS 319 to the existing fleet has strengthened the services.
All Roads (km): 3,919.81
Bridges: 383
Registered Vechiles: 23,068
Telephone Connections: 21,071
Postal Infrastructure: 109
Foreign
Relations
In 2004, Bhutan has a diplomatic relations with 22 countries (including
EU), with resident ambassadors in India, Bangladesh, Bangkok, Kuwait
and two UN mission offices in New York and Geneva. It has Honorary Consels
in 10 countries. It is a member of 45 international organizations. Only
India and Bangladesh have residential embassies in Bhutan.
Judiciary
His Majesty the King is the final court of appeal. The Royal High Court
is the apex of the judiciary system. It is supported by district court
in all 20 dzongkhags. There are sub-district courts called dungthrim
in larger dzongkhags. At villages the gup and chimis settle petty disputes.
National Emblem
The national emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double
diamond thunderbolt placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and
framed by two dragons. The double diamond thunderbolt represents the
harmony between secular and religious power; which results from the
Bhuddist religion on its Vajrayana form. The lotus symbolizes purity;
the jewel sovereign power; and the two dragons, male and female, stand
for the name of the country-the thunder.
Photography
The photographic
opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record
the local people, their houses and shops etc. Always ask by gesture
if it is ok to do so. Don’t take your destination as a living museum.
Also while visiting dzongs, monasteries and religious institutions,
please follow your guide’s instruction carefully.
Gratitudes
In general,
tipping is neither compulsory nor there is any fixed amount and the
bottom line in determining whether and how much to tip is to ask yourself
how much the individual did to make your travel more enjoyable.
Electricity
In Bhutan,
electricity runs at 220 / 240 volts. If you do bring electrical appliances,
take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter
plugs.
Time
Bhutan
time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and there is only one time zone throughout
the country.
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