| GEOGRAPHY | CLIMATIC CONDITION | HISTORY |
| PEOPLE | RELIGION | FLORA & FAUNA |
Bhutan is a small sovereign kingdom in the Eastern Himalayas between the Tibetan autonomous region of China to the north and the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal to the south. Surrounded by high mountains and deep valleys, the altitude ranges from 300 meters in the south to 7,300 meters in the north. The total land area is 47, 000/- sq. km. It lies between Longitude 88 45' and 92 10' East and Latitude 26 40' and 28 15' North.
Bhutan experiences varied climates depending on the altitude. To the south it is hot and humid, while the Himalayan mountains in the north are under perpetual snow. Rainfall can differ within relative short distance due to rain shadow effects.
Some stone implements found so far indicate that the country was inhabited as early as 4000 - 500 BC. Throughout its history Bhutan has always existed as an independent entity, within similar natural boundaries to those that exist now.
The country's population of 600, 000 is composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are of Nepalese origin settled in the southern foothills of the country in the early twentieth century. This ethnic diversity of the people has resulted in numerous dialects and languages that are spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha is the National language. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken.
Bhutan is the last bastion of the Mahayana form of Buddhism in the world today. It was in the 8th century AD that Guru Padma Sambhava introduced Buddhism to the country. Subsequently this was promulgated by various other religious figures who visited Bhutan. The dominant sect that came to be established in the country was the Drukpa Kargyu sect of Mahayana Buddhism, which is now the official religion of Bhutan.
The Bhutanese are very pious people and religion plays an important part of their daily lives. Prayer flags fluttering in the wind, chortens (stupas), monasteries and twirling prayer wheels are a very common sight. Religion permeates all strands of secular life and this has brought about a reverence for the land and its well-being.
Bhutan has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Blessed with unparalleled scenic beauty of majestic snow capped peaks, lush valleys and large tracts of virgin forest, Bhutan is home to numerous rare and endangered species of wildlife such as the blue sheep, musk deer, red panda, snow leopard, black bear, golden langur and the unique Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. The endangered Black Necked Cranes also migrate to Bhutan from Central Asia during the winter.
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