Bhutan: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:48, 9 December 2024

File:Bhutan National Anthem Druk Tsendhen.ogg

Bhutan, officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia. It is bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east, and west. Bhutan is known for its unique approach to development, prioritizing Gross National Happiness over Gross Domestic Product.

History

The history of Bhutan is deeply intertwined with its religious and cultural heritage. The country was unified in the 17th century by the Tibetan lama and military leader Ngawang Namgyal, who established the dual system of government combining both secular and religious authority. Bhutan maintained its independence throughout the colonial period, largely due to its geographical isolation and strategic diplomacy.

In 1907, Bhutan became a monarchy with the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). The monarchy has played a central role in Bhutan's development, with significant reforms introduced by the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in the 20th century, including the introduction of a National Assembly and the abolition of serfdom.

Geography

Bhutan is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with the Himalayas dominating the northern part of the country. The southern regions are more subtropical, with dense forests and fertile valleys. The country's highest peak is Gangkhar Puensum, which remains unclimbed and is considered sacred.

Culture

Bhutanese culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism, which is the state religion. The country is known for its traditional architecture, vibrant festivals, and the practice of Dzongkha, the national language. Bhutanese society is guided by the principles of Gross National Happiness, which emphasizes sustainable development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.

Economy

Bhutan's economy is primarily based on agriculture, forestry, and the sale of hydroelectric power to India. The government has made efforts to diversify the economy, promoting tourism and small-scale industries. The currency, the Ngultrum, is pegged to the Indian rupee.

Politics

Bhutan transitioned to a constitutional monarchy in 2008, with the adoption of its first constitution. The political system is a parliamentary democracy, with the king serving as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government. The National Assembly and the National Council form the legislative branch.

Also see

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-[[File:Bhutan_anthem.ogg|Bhutan anthem.ogg|thumb]] [[File:A_map_of_the_countries_between_Constantinople_and_Calcutta_including_Turkey_in_Asia,_Persia,_Afghanistan_and_Turkestan.tif|A map of the countries between Constantinople and Calcutta including Turkey in Asia, Persia, Afghanistan and Turkestan.|thumb|left]] [[File:Cloud-hidden,_whereabouts_unknown_(Paro,_Bhutan).jpg|Cloud-hidden, whereabouts unknown (Paro, Bhutan)|thumb|left]] [[File:Canhoes_portugueses_Butão.jpg|Canhoes portugueses Butão|thumb]] [[File:Tashigang_Dzong_111120.jpg|Tashigang Dzong 111120|thumb]] '''Bhutan''', officially known as the '''Kingdom of Bhutan''', is a landlocked country in South Asia, nestled in the eastern [[Himalayas]]. It is bordered by [[China]] to the north and [[India]] to the south, east, and west. Bhutan is known for its monastic fortresses, known as dzongs, and its stunning landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. The country's capital and largest city is [[Thimphu]], and the official language is Dzongkha.
+[[File:Bhutan National Anthem Druk Tsendhen.ogg|thumb]] [[File:A map of the countries between Constantinople and Calcutta including Turkey in Asia, Persia, Afghanistan and Turkestan.tif|thumb]] [[File:Cloud-hidden, whereabouts unknown (Paro, Bhutan).jpg|thumb]] [[File:Canhoes portugueses Butão.jpg|thumb]] {{Infobox country
+| conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Bhutan
+| common_name = Bhutan
+| native_name = འབྲུག་ཡུལ་
+| capital = Thimphu
+| largest_city = Thimphu
+| official_languages = Dzongkha
+| government_type = Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
+| monarch = Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
+| prime_minister = Lotay Tshering
+| area_km2 = 38394
+| population_estimate = 754,388
+| population_estimate_year = 2023
+| currency = Ngultrum (BTN)
+| time_zone = BTT
+| utc_offset = +6
+}}
-== Geography ==
+'''Bhutan''', officially known as the '''Kingdom of Bhutan''', is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia. It is bordered by [[China]] to the north and [[India]] to the south, east, and west. Bhutan is known for its unique approach to development, prioritizing Gross National Happiness over Gross Domestic Product.
-Bhutan's geography is characterized by its rugged terrain and diverse climatic conditions. The country is predominantly mountainous, with some high peaks in the Himalayas. The highest point is Gangkhar Puensum, which is believed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Bhutan's rivers, such as the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu, are vital for hydroelectric power, which is a significant source of the country's revenue.
-== History ==
+==History==
-The history of Bhutan dates back to the 7th century when Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo ordered the construction of two Buddhist temples at Bumthang and Kyichu Lhakhang. In the 17th century, Ngawang Namgyal unified the region and established himself as the religious and administrative leader, marking the start of the dual system of government. Bhutan has never been colonized and has maintained its sovereignty throughout history.
+The history of Bhutan is deeply intertwined with its religious and cultural heritage. The country was unified in the 17th century by the Tibetan lama and military leader [[Ngawang Namgyal]], who established the dual system of government combining both secular and religious authority. Bhutan maintained its independence throughout the colonial period, largely due to its geographical isolation and strategic diplomacy.
-== Government and Politics ==
+In 1907, Bhutan became a monarchy with the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). The monarchy has played a central role in Bhutan's development, with significant reforms introduced by the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in the 20th century, including the introduction of a National Assembly and the abolition of serfdom.
-Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The King of Bhutan is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country transitioned to a democratic constitutional monarchy in 2008. Bhutan's political system is designed to ensure that both spiritual and temporal leaders are respected. The [[Tashichho Dzong]] in Thimphu serves as the seat of the government.
-== Economy ==
+==Geography==
-The Bhutanese economy is based on agriculture, forestry, tourism, and the sale of hydroelectric power to India. Bhutan is notable for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which measures the country's development in terms of the happiness and well-being of its citizens, rather than solely on economic indicators like GDP.
+Bhutan is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with the [[Himalayas]] dominating the northern part of the country. The southern regions are more subtropical, with dense forests and fertile valleys. The country's highest peak is [[Gangkhar Puensum]], which remains unclimbed and is considered sacred.
-== Culture ==
+==Culture==
-Bhutanese culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism, which is the dominant religion. This is evident in the numerous monasteries, temples, and religious festivals, such as the colorful Tshechu, celebrated throughout the country. Bhutanese art, music, and dance are integral parts of these festivals. The traditional dress, the gho for men and the kira for women, is an important aspect of Bhutanese identity.
+Bhutanese culture is heavily influenced by [[Buddhism]], which is the state religion. The country is known for its traditional architecture, vibrant festivals, and the practice of [[Dzongkha]], the national language. Bhutanese society is guided by the principles of Gross National Happiness, which emphasizes sustainable development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.
-== Environmental Conservation ==
+==Economy==
-Bhutan is known for its commitment to environmental conservation. It is the world's only carbon-negative country, with its constitution mandating that at least 60% of the country's land area remain under forest cover. Bhutan has also banned the production and sale of plastic bags and has extensive programs in place to protect its natural environment.
+Bhutan's economy is primarily based on agriculture, forestry, and the sale of hydroelectric power to India. The government has made efforts to diversify the economy, promoting tourism and small-scale industries. The currency, the [[Ngultrum]], is pegged to the Indian rupee.
-== Tourism ==
+==Politics==
-Tourism is a major contributor to Bhutan's economy, with visitors drawn to its ancient culture, scenic beauty, and extensive trekking trails. The government promotes a policy of "High Value, Low Impact" tourism to preserve its culture and environment.
+Bhutan transitioned to a constitutional monarchy in 2008, with the adoption of its first constitution. The political system is a parliamentary democracy, with the king serving as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government. The National Assembly and the National Council form the legislative branch.
-== Challenges ==
+==Also see==
-Despite its successes, Bhutan faces challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and the effects of climate change. The government is working to address these issues while trying to maintain the balance between modernization and preserving its culture and traditions.
+* [[Gross National Happiness]]
+* [[Himalayas]]
+* [[Buddhism in Bhutan]]
+* [[Thimphu]]
+* [[Ngawang Namgyal]]
+{{Asia topic}}
+{{Bhutan topics}}
+[[Category:Bhutan]]
 [[Category:Countries in Asia]]
-[[Category:Bhutan]]
+[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
-{{Asia-stub}}