• Sikkim: Experience permaculture & rural himalayan life in India's organic state
• Bhutan: honouring & preserving cultural heritage, traditional architecture and native knowledge
• Northeast India: Experiencing amazing natural wonders & cultural diversity between Myanmar & Tibet

Bhutan Fact File

Location On the southern slopes of the north-eastern Himalayas. Bhutan is bordered by Tibet/China in the north and the Indian States of ArunachalPradesh, Sikkim, Assam and West Bengal in the east, west and south.
Area 18’147 square miles
Population Approx. 721’000 (census 2012)
Capital Thimpu, 7’710 ft.
Districts 20: Bumthang, Chukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuntse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Zhemgang
Government The Government of Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy. King Jigme Singye Wangchuk is the fifth monarch of Bhutan since 2006.
Currencies Bhutanese Ngultrum, Indian Rupee
Topography The Himalayas of Bhutan extend from the fertile plains of the Brahmaputra valley (660 ft) in the south to the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The highest mountain in Bhutan is Mt. Kulakangri (24’780 ft) in the north. Supposedly the highest unclimbed peak in the world is Bhutan’s Mt. Ganthar Peunsum (24’741 ft).
Vegetation Alpine, treeless vegetation is found above 13‘000 ft; mixed and coniferous forests are found in the temperate zone (6‘500 – 13‘000 ft); subtropical and tropical forests are found from 660 ft to 6‘500 ft. 72 % of the country are covered with forest.
Flora & Fauna Bhutan is not only a country of great scenic attraction, but is also home to a very interesting world of animals and plants. Flora and fauna contain elements of both the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
Climate and Season Bhutan has four distinct seasons: spring, monsoon, autumn and wither. Spring and autumn is the best time to visit. From July to August Bhutan receives a lot of rain during the monsoon.
Snowline Ca. 16’400 ft
Treeline Ca. 12’800 ft
Temperatures Thimpu, 7'550 ft: March – June:61°F to 76°F; July – September: 64°F - 77°F; October – December: 71°F - 58°F; January – February: 54 °F – 58 °F
Rainfall Temperate zone: about 39 inches per year In the South: 275 inches per year Monsoon lasts from July to mid-September with most rainfall to be expected in the month of August.
Languages The official language is Dzongkha. It is related to Tibetan language and spoken by about 75% of the population. The alphabet corresponds to the Tibetan alphabet. Approximately 25 % speak Nepali. English is also widely used and taught in school since 1964. Due to the remoteness of many villages 24 diverse dialects have been preserved. The northern dialect of Sharchop Kha is the most widespread dialect.
Alphabetization Approx 47 % (Women: 34 %)
Religions Vajrayana Buddhism is state religion. It belongs to a tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism and about 75% of the population belong to this religion. The Nepalese immigrants who represent a large proportion of the population in Bhutan’s south mostly follow Hinduism (20 %). There is also a small Muslim minority, mainly in the south.
Economy 90% of the population is engaged with agriculture and animal breeding: maize, rice, wheat, barley, buckwheat, millet & livestock. Bhutan exports power (generated through hydropower plants), cement, wood products, fruits and alcoholic beverages. Tourism is also an important source of income.
How to reach Bhutan By flight:  from Kolkota and Delhi (India); from Bangkok (Thailand) or from Kathamndu (Nepal) By land: from the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal or the Airport Bagdogra in West Bengal by land to the border town of Phuntsholing in the west of Bhutan; from the Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh or the Airport of Guwahati from the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar in Bhutan’s East. We can arrange for your flight requirements. There are daily flights between Paro, Bhutan and Kolkota or Delhi, India and frequent connections to Bangkok and Kathmandu as well.
Souvenirs stamps, handwoven textiles, carved wooden masks, Thangkas (scrolls), wooden bowls, handmade paper, jewellery. Purchase and sale of Holzschalen, handgemachtes Papier, Schmuck.
Keywords used in this page Tags: Bhutan, Himalayan, Himalayas, kingdom, travel, facts, info, information notes, info, information, quick intro
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