Bhutan

General info:

Bhutan is a landlocked country is located at the eastern part of Himalaya bordered by Tibet in the north and India in south east and west direction. The country was unified by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in early 17th century. Bhutan is also a member of the United Nation and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation i.e, (SARRC). The total area of the country is reported to be 38,394 square kilometers with the total population of approximately 691,141. Thimpu is the present Capital of the Bhutan which is also the largest city in the country.

Topography, Vegetation and climate:

Bhutan is the most beautiful country extended from the subtropical Duars plain to the high Tibetan plateaus and glaciated mountains up to the elevation of 7,300 meter from the sea level. The country is divided into two parts namely the northern and the southern Duars. The northern Duars, which adjoin the foothills of the great Himalayan, has rugged, sloppy  terrain and dry and porous soil. This region inhibits dense vegetation and abundant wildlife. Conversely the southern Duars at subtropical plain has moderately fertile soil. This region inhibits the heavy savannah grassland, pristine jungle, and freshwater springs and rivers. Climate in Bhutan depends upon the topography and elevation. The climate ranges from subtropical climate in the plains, temperate in the highlands and the alpine in the high mountains to north. There are five seasons in Bhutan which is summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The Western Bhutan receives heavy rain during monsoon whereas eastern part of the country is comparatively temperate and drier with warm summers and cold winters. The southern part of the country experiences hot humid summers and cool winters.

Religions and festivals:

Vajrayana Buddhist is the state religion of Bhutan. Bhutan is the only country with its people following the Vajrayana Buddhism as state language. Buddhism is the major religion in Bhutan with Hinduism the second largest religion.

Dzongkha and Sharchop are the principal Bhutanese languages which are closely related to the Tibetan language.  Tsechu is the most celebrated festival in Bhutan which is held once in a year. During the festival the religious mask dance the Cham is held on the large courtyard. It is believed that those who observe the religious dance get blessed. On the last day of the festival the Thongdel is unfold at the courtyard.

People and culture:

Bhutanese people are very friendly and disciplined bounded by the principles of Buddhism. These people have preserved their culture and traditions which date back to the early 17th century. Beside all these the topography and the isolation of the country for several decades cutoff the influence of other cultures and added the protection in preservation of their historical assets.

Every Bhutanese citizen maintains their national dress code called Driglam Namzha. Men wear a heavy knee-length robe tied with a belt, called a gho. The traditional dress is folded in such a way that it forms a pocket in front of the stomach. Whereas Women wear colourful blouses over those blouses they fold and clutch a large rectangular cloth called a kira.