Bhutan

Bhutan describes the landlocked Buddhist Kingdom with a constitutional monarchy called the Land of Thunder Dragon. Bhutan is located in South Asia, bordered by India in the east, west and south, Tibet, China in the north. East to West has 300 km length and north to south has 170 km breadth. The beautiful country of Himalaya, hills, passes, valleys and narrow basins that are divided into 20 districts (dzongkhag). Thimphu (2300 m) is the capital of Bhutan. The altitude ranges 97 meters (Drangme Chhu) up to 7554 meters (Mt. Kula Kangri) above the sea. The Perpetual Friendship Treaty 1949, Bhutan is managed by India with a subject of national security, foreign policy, and foreign relationship. 

Bhutan is six hours ahead of GMT. Agriculture is the prime occupation where 95% of people involves in it. They produce staple foods, maize, rice, wheat, buckwheat, potato, ginger, cardamom, chilly, orange and apple. Tourism is the main industry. The hydropower potential is 30000 MW and the installed capacity is 1500 MW. The Southern Pasakha city recognized an industrial area established Cement factory, Coca-Cola factory, Steel and Ferrosilicon, Calcium and carbide and some wood-based factories. Bhutan has the second largest per capita income (at least 2400 $ per person per year) in South Asia. Thirty per cent of people are below the poverty line. Life expectancy is 65.8 years for a male and 69.3 years for a female. Newspapers are published in Hindi, English and Nepali languages. Thimpu, Paro, and Sakhang are the major towns. The Royal Bhutan Army is a security force. 

Bhutan is a unique travel-friendly country with a trekking and tour package. Most of the foreigners travel from America, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. It offers MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. Annually 78000 tourists visit there. Around 7500 locals get a direct job in tourism. Approximate 12000 people are involved as indirect in tourism. The tourists may explore a culture, people, monarchy, lifestyle, and nature. Every day one tourist should spend a minimum of 250 US Dollars. Tourists should travel with a tour guide or pre-arranged package only. Independent and backpacker visitors are discouraged. The country has at least 8050 kilometres of roads. Bhutan 18 facts are given below.

1. Area

38394 sq km 

Latitude‎: ‎27° 31' 53.11'' N

Longitude: 90° 26' 9.07" E

2. Capital

Thimphu

3. Government

Official Name: Kingdom of Bhutan

King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Home Minister: Lyonpo Sherub Gyeltshen

4. Time

GMT +6 hours

5. Monsoon

June to September

6. Calling Code

+975

7. Driving side

Left

8. List of districts

Bumthang, Chukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue, Zhemgang, and Samdrup Jongkhar.

9. List of major cities

Thimphu, Paro, Trongsa, Taga Dzong, Phuntsholing, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Wangdue Phodrang and Geylegphug.

10. Druk Airlines

Flights are connected with Bangkok, Singapore, Kathmandu, Delhi, Dhaka, Kolkata, Gaya, and Bagdogra. Airports are in Paro (Paro Airport), Trashigang (Yongphulla Airport), Jakar (Bumthang Airport), and Gelephu (Gelephu Airport)

11. Population

There are at least 753947 people in Bhutan.

12. Language

The national language is Dzongkha. There are at least 18 spoken languages. English is spoken wildly in tourism fields. At least 35 % of people speak the Nepalese language in Bhutan.

13. List of National Park and Conservation Area

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries cover 35% land of the country. There are several National Parks, including Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (1300 sq km), Thrumshingla National Park (768 sq. km.), Royal Manas National Park (1057 sq. km.), and Jigme Dorji National Park (4349 sq. km.).

Conservation areas are including, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (1545 sq. km.) and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (650 sq. km.), Torsa Strict Nature Reserve (609.51 sq. km.), Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (268.93 sq. km.), Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary (334.73 sq. km.), Motithang Takin Preserve (3.4 hectares), Phobjikha Valley (163 sq. km.), and Wangchuck Centennial Park (4914 sq. km.).

14. Flora and Fauna

The vegetation line is above 4000 meters. There are numerous species of pines, 35 species of rhododendron, junipers, 300 types of medicinal plants, numerous orchids, blue poppy (national flower), gentian, oaks, cypress (national tree), and Primula. There are found 670 species of birds, including Raven (national bird), black-necked cranes, woodpecker, vulture, flycatchers, warblers, bee-eaters, ducks, and pheasant. Takin is the national animal and includes other mammals, musk deer, yak, nak, Himalayan black bear, golden languor, clouded leopard, snow leopard, elephant, one-horn rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, genetic dolphin, blue sheep, water buffaloes, and red panda. There are found 250 species of butterflies.

15. Currency and Sport

Ngultrum is Bhutanese money that is equal to the Indian Rupee. Indian 500 and 1000 Rupees are not accepted in Bhutan. US Dollar, Travelers Check, American Express and Visa Card are widely accepted here. Thimpu (the capital city of Bhutan) is a good place for foreign exchange. Archery is the national sport.

16. Religion

In Bhutan, 75% of people are Buddhist and 25% of people are Hindus and Muslims. Vajrayana Buddhism is well-practised there.

17. Accommodation

Normal to five-star hotels are available in Thimpu and Paro. Three-star hotels are in Punakha, Bumthang, and Gangtey.  Every town has an internet café and an international phone with a cell phone and electricity.

18. Climate

In summer, day temperature remains 20°-25° Celsius and night temperature is 7°-8° Celsius in Thimpu and lower valley. In winter day temperature remains -5°-6° over 3000 to 4000 meters and night temperature remains 15°-20° Celsius. The monsoon time is from June to late September. The Winter season is December to March with fog and snowfall. The best time to visit Bhutan, October to December. The weather remains clean with the Himalayas view. March to May stays the next best time with a rhododendron flower.