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Bhutan is
situated in the Eastern
Himalayas of southern Central
Asia and is bordered on the
north and Northwest by the Tibet
Autonomous Region of China and
to the west, Southwest, south
and east with Indian states of
Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and
Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan is a
landlocked mountain kingdom
roughly the size of Switzerland,
in the eastern Himalayas. With a
population of 600,000 spread
over 46,000 sq km.
Bhutan is the last unspoiled
Himalayan kingdom often known as
Shangri-La. For a country of its
size, Bhutan is a land of
spectacular contrasts and
stunning beauty. The southern
foothills, at an altitude of
1,000 ft to 4,500 ft are covered
by dense tropical forest, which
abounds with wildlife. These
regions are mostly inhabitated
by Lhotsampas (Nepalese
immigrants who are given
Bhutanese citizens nationally)
and most of them are agriculture
workers.
Most industrial areas are also
located in southern region. The
fertile central valleys (3,600 -
8,500 ft) are covered by verdant
coniferous and deciduous forests
and dotted with numerous
monasteries, temples and dzongs.
Western Bhutan's major valleys
of Ha, Paro, Thimphu, Punakha /
Wangduephodrang are intensely
cultivated. The people in these
valleys are well-to-do and they
build large homes of rammed
earth in which several
generations often live together.
The formidable Black Mountains,
rising to over 16,000 ft forms a
natural boundary between Western
Bhutan and Central Bhutan.
Central Bhutan is made up of
several districts where
different dialects are spoken.
Khyeng, in the south, is covered
by semi-tropical jungle and is
famous for its bamboo and ratten
ware. Further north is Trongsa,
home of one of Bhutan's most
impressive dzongs. Bumthang's
four valleys, between 8,530 -
13,000 ft with their picturesque
countryside, beautiful
coniferous forests and numerous
Religious sites are often known
as the "Heart of Bhutan".
Eastern Bhutan, home of the
Sharchops ("people of the
east"), is generally warmer. The
eastern women are renowned for
their weaving skills and produce
fine textiles of silk and
cotton. Northern Bhutan, lying
largely above 11,500 ft is
region of glacial valleys,
alpine meadows and is home to
the semi-nomadic yak-herders of
Lingshi, Laya and Lunana, have
almost no contact with Western
civilisation and trade only in
bartered goods. Towering above
this magnificent trekking
country are the eternal
snow-clad peaks of the majestic
Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and
Gangkar Puensum, rising to over
23,000 ft. |
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