Bhutan In Brief

Bhutan is the last Shangri-la on the Earth.

Country Profile
Country name: Drukyul (Thunder Dragon) or Bhutan.
Location: South Asia, eastern Himalayas, between India and China.
Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Area: 38,000 sq/km, similar to Switzerland.
Dimensions: north-south = 150kms, east-west = 300kms (at widest points)
Terrain: mountainous
Elevation extremes: 100-7750m
Climate: varies with altitude - sub-tropical, temperate and alpine, significant localized variation in rainfall concentrated in monsoon season (mid-June to September)
Natural resources: hydropower, timber, assorted mineral and ecological
Territory
Made up of a collection of high hills and deep valleys, rising from the Indian plains to the Tibetan plateau. Extremely high proportion of land area is unsuitable for agriculture or other productive pursuits. Landscape, though inhospitable for humans, harbors immense ecological wealth and diversity and possesses significant hydropower potential
History
Bhutan, as part of the traditional loosely linked Himalayan Diaspora, has historically witnessed a minimal degree of external interaction. The country’s history is characterized by its independence and simplicity, essentially tracing the gradual diffusion of Buddhism, political and religious unification, political consolidation under a monarchy, and entry into the modern outside world.
Leading Issues
Gross National Happiness In its approach to modernization Bhutan’s leadership is attempting to balance the need for economic growth with other political, social, environmental and spiritual concerns. Gross National Happiness was articulated as a unifying concept to indicate that development has many more dimensions than those associated with Gross National Product. This approach to development is clearly evidenced in government policy.
Gross National Happiness In its approach to modernization Bhutan’s leadership is attempting to balance the need for economic growth with other political, social, environmental and spiritual concerns. Gross National Happiness was articulated as a unifying concept to indicate that development has many more dimensions than those associated with Gross National Product. This approach to development is clearly evidenced in government policy.