Bhutan

Bhutan
Conventional long name	Kingdom of Bhutan
Capital	Thimphu
Official languages	Dzongkha
Demonym	Bhutanese
Government type	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Leader title1	Druk Gyalpo (King)
Leader name1	Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Tshering Tobgay
Legislature	Parliament of Bhutan
Upper house	National Council
Lower house	National Assembly

Bhutan. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, this landlocked kingdom is renowned for its unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Governed as a constitutional monarchy under the Wangchuck dynasty, it has maintained a distinct cultural identity, with Vajrayana Buddhism as the state religion. Its capital and largest city is Thimphu.

History

The area's early history is intertwined with the spread of Tibetan Buddhism, notably by the saint Padmasambhava in the 8th century. The territory was unified in the 17th century by the Tibetan lama and military leader Ngawang Namgyal, who established a dual system of religious and temporal law. Following a period of internal conflict, the House of Wangchuck emerged, with Ugyen Wangchuck installed as the first hereditary Druk Gyalpo in 1907. The Treaty of Punakha (1910) with British India guided early foreign relations, succeeded by the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of 1949 with independent India. Under the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the country began a careful modernization, introduced the concept of Gross National Happiness, and transitioned to a constitutional monarchy, with the first democratic elections for the National Assembly held in 2008.

Geography

Located on the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by the China (Tibet) to the north and India to the south, east, and west. The terrain is extremely mountainous, descending from the high peaks of the Himalayas to the subtropical Duars Plain. Major river systems, such as the Wang Chhu and Sankosh River, flow south into the Brahmaputra River. Significant protected areas include Jigme Dorji National Park and Royal Manas National Park. The climate varies dramatically with elevation, from perpetual snow in the north to heavy monsoon rains in the central valleys.

Government and politics

The government is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The reigning monarch is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Parliament of Bhutan, consisting of the National Council and the National Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the Lhengye Zhungtshog (Council of Ministers), headed by the Prime Minister, currently Tshering Tobgay. The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court of Bhutan. Major political parties include the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party and the People's Democratic Party. Foreign policy is strongly influenced by its special relationship with India.

Economy

The economy is primarily based on hydropower, agriculture, and forestry, with a growing tourism sector regulated by a high-value, low-impact policy. Hydropower exports to India are a major source of revenue. Agriculture employs a significant portion of the population, with staple crops including rice, maize, and potatoes. The currency is the Ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian rupee. Key development projects are often outlined in Five-Year Plans of Bhutan. The manufacturing sector remains small, with cottage industries like weaving being culturally significant.

Demographics

The population comprises several ethnic groups, primarily the Ngalop in the west and the Sharchop in the east, with smaller communities including the Lhotshampa of Nepali descent. The official language is Dzongkha, with numerous other languages spoken, including Sharchopkha and Nepali. The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma schools, while Hinduism is practiced by a minority. Life expectancy and literacy rates have shown significant improvement in recent decades.

Culture

Culture is deeply influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, evident in its festivals, art, and architecture. Major annual festivals, or tsechus, such as those at Paro Taktsang and Punakha Dzong, feature masked dances like the Cham dance. Traditional dress is mandated for official occasions: the gho for men and the kira for women. Bhutanese cuisine is centered on red rice, chilies, and cheese, with a signature dish being ema datshi. Archery, using traditional bamboo bows, is the national sport. The distinctive fortress-monasteries, or dzongs, such as Trongsa Dzong and Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, are central to each district's administrative and religious life.

Category:Bhutan Category:Constitutional monarchies Category:Landlocked countries