Bhutan

Bhutan is a landlocked country located in South Asia.

It sits within the Eastern Himalayas. The nation borders China to the north and northwest. To the south and southeast, it shares borders with India.

Bhutan is a democratic constitutional monarchy. A King serves as the head of state. A prime minister acts as the head of government. The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism. The Je Khenpo serves as the head of this religion. The country has a population of over 727,145 people. It ranks 133rd in land area and 160th in population.

The geography of Bhutan features extreme changes in elevation. In the north, the Himalayan mountains rise sharply. These mountains reach very high altitudes. Gangkhar Puensum is the highest peak in the country. It is also the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The northern mountains transition into lush subtropical plains in the south. This creates a diverse range of environments. The climate varies across these different zones.

Bhutan also possesses massive water reserves. These reserves are used for hydropower. However, climate change causes glaciers to melt. This melting is a growing concern for the nation.

Bhutan's wildlife is remarkably diverse. The country is home to many unique species. You can find the Himalayan takin in the region.

The golden langur also lives here. Other animals include the Himalayan black bear.

The Himalayan marmot is another inhabitant.

These animals live in the varied habitats of the mountains and plains. The natural landscape supports a wide biological range.

The history of Bhutan involves many different names. The name "Bhutan" likely comes from the Tibetan word "Böd." It may be a transcription of the Sanskrit "Bhoṭa-anta." This means "end of Tibet." This refers to its position at the southern edge of the Tibetan plateau. Locally, the country is called Druk yul. This means "Land of the Thunder Dragon." This name refers to the dominant Buddhist sect.

Early Western records used different names. Some called it "Cambirasi" or "Mon." The distinction between Bhutan and Tibet became clearer in 1774. This happened after an expedition by George Bogle. He suggested using "Boutan" for the Druk Desi's kingdom.

In the 16th century, Bhutan began to unify. Before this, it was a collection of warring fiefdoms. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified the valleys into one state. He was a Tibetan lama and military leader. He defeated three invasions from Tibet. He also established the Tsa Yig legal system. He created a government of civil and theocratic administrators.

To protect the land, he built dzongs. These are large fortresses used for administration and religion.

Many of these structures remain active today.

Bhutan's relationship with foreign powers changed over time. It was never colonized. However, it was a protectorate of the British Empire. During the 19th century Duar War, Bhutan ceded the Bengal Duars.

In 1907, the Wangchuck dynasty began. Ugyen Wangchuck was chosen as the first hereditary king.

In 1910, the Treaty of Punakha was signed. This gave Britain control over Bhutan's foreign policy. Later, a 1949 treaty with India recognized both nations' sovereignty. Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971. It now has relations with 56 different countries.

Today, Bhutan is a modern and peaceful nation. The capital city is Thimphu.

Nearly 15% of the population lives in Thimphu. Bhutan is a founding member of SAARC. It is also a member of the World Bank and UNESCO. In 2016, Bhutan ranked first in SAARC for economic freedom. It also ranked high for peace and lack of corruption. In 2024, it was the most peaceful country in South Asia. It is the only South Asian country in the first quartile of the Global Peace Index.