Bhutan::The Drukyul - a fact file

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a Country nestled in the Eastern Himalayas known as Drukyul (in Dzongkha) “Land of Thunder Dragon”, and its people are known as ‘Drukpas’. Bhutan, the last Shangri-La, independent Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom fondly maintains its tradition. It has one foot in the past and one in the future. The Himalayas in the north separate the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, while the rugged eastern region borders the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh, in the south by Assam and west Bengal and in the west by Sikkim.

Roughly the size of Switzerland (38,394 sq km) and populated by  less than 800,000 people, can be called a small and under-populated country when compared to its giant neighbors. The little Kingdom has an extraordinary ecological diversity. It is about 300 km West to East, 150km from north to south.
A conscious policy of isolation complemented by formidable geographical barriers has enabled the Kingdom to maintain its independence through out its history. Ancient stone implements and other archaeological findings indicate that there were settlements in Bhutan dating back to 2000 B.C. The chronicled history of the Kingdom however begins with the advent of Buddhism in the 8th century.
Besides the Great Himalayan Range which runs East to West, the entire country is mountainous, and ranges in elevation from 100m to the 754m Gangkhar Puensum peak on the Tibetan border. Between each valley, passes are as high as 4000m, which has led to difficult communication between the different valleys.
From South to North, Bhutan is roughly divided into three zones, namely The Southern Foot Hills, the Inner Himalayas and the Northern Belt.

The southern Foothills:
A plain only a few kilometers wide forms the border with India (West Bengal & Assam). The plain rises swiftly to 2000m and this zone is covered with dense tropical jungles. The climate is hot, getting cooler from November to February. The monsoon is very heavy from mid June to the end of September. As it lies in the border area with neighboring India, business opportunity abounds. Favorable climate for growing rice, oranges and cardamom on large scale has contributed to the economic growth of the region. They are excellent agriculturist.

The inner Himalayas:
This zone is the historical and cultural heartland of the country. It is situated between 2000m-3500m with some valleys lying lower. The climate is alpine with monsoon, but in the lower valleys it is semi-tropical. In winter the night temperature falls below zero degree. From June to September, in monsoon, the valleys become lush and green. Spring witness the bloom of thousands of Rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and others. This zone is divided into three distinct regions, each of them having its own characteristics.

The Northern Belt:
From west to East, this region is bordered to the north by the great Himalayas ranging from 6800m to 7400m & forms the border with Tibet. The Northern belt starts from and around 3400m and inhabited by yak herders until 5000m. The climate is difficult with cold snowy winter and short rainy summers. It is a conservation area of rare flora & Fauna.

BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE