Where is Bhutan?

Bhutan is a small landlocked country located in the eastern Himalayas, bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east and west. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and unique system of governance that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens over economic growth.

Bhutan has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 8th century when Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in the country. Over the centuries, Bhutan has been ruled by a series of powerful monarchs and witnessed several wars and conflicts. However, the country has managed to maintain its independence and unique identity through its traditional practices and strong sense of national unity.

Bhutan was founded as a modern nation-state in 1907 when Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned as the first king of Bhutan. Since then, the country has undergone significant political, economic, and social changes, while still preserving its cultural heritage and traditional values. Today, Bhutan is widely recognized for its pursuit of Gross National Happiness, a holistic approach to development that emphasizes the importance of happiness and well-being over material wealth.

Bhutan’s landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the sub-alpine Himalayan heights in the north, where some peaks exceed 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). Its total area was reported as approximately 46,500 km2 (18,000 sq mi) in 1997[11] and 38,394 square kilometres (14,824 sq mi) in 2002.[1][2] Bhutan’s state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism and the population, now (as of 2012/2013) estimated to be nearly three-quarters of a million,[3] is predominantly Buddhist. Hinduism is the second-largest religion.

In 2008, Bhutan made the transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy and held its first general election. As well as being a member of the United Nations, Bhutan is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and hosted SAARC’s sixteenth summit in April 2010.