BhutanINCBhutanINC

By Khina MayaTour operator Bhutan INC

Himalayan Kingdom

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Bhutan History• 1634 – Country Unified

• 1907 – First King

• 1910 – Britain handled foreign affairs in return for not interfering with internal affairs

• 1947 – India took over role

• 2007 – Renegotiated; India still handles a lot of Bhutan's foreign affairs

• 2008 – First constitution; becomes constitutional monarchy

Population Statistics• Population

– 700,000 people– Approximately same

population of Alaska

• Rate of increase– 2.3%– Approximately 16,000

people per year

• GDP (PPP)– $4,980

Land Area

~ 47,000 km2 (18,150 mile2)(About the same as Vermont and New Hampshire combined)

Population Density: 14/km2 (37/mile2)

http://prb.org/Datafinder/Geography/Summary.aspx?region=141&region_type=2

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Climate • Climate: – Tropical in the south– Perpetual snow in the north due

to the Himalayas.

• Annual Rainfall (per year)– Himalayan regions

< 500mm (< 20in)

– Inner central valleys500mm - 1000mm (20in – 40in)

– Southern foothills2000mm - 3500mm (80in – 140in)

– Southern border area3000mm - 5000mm (120in – 200in)

• Rain in monsoon season – June to September

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Satellite View of Bhutan

ABOUT BHUTAN PEOPLEBhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups. The Tshanglas, Ngalops and the Lhotshampas.

SOCIETYBhutanese society is free of class or a caste system. Slavery was abolished by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the early 1950s through a royal edict. Though, a few organizations to empower women were established in the past Bhutanese society has always maintained relative gender equality. In general our nation is an open and a good-spirited society.

RELIGIONThe Bhutanese constitution guarantees freedom of religion and citizens and visitors are free to practice any form of worship so long as it does not impinge on the rights of others. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are also present in the country.

CULTURE

While Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world, its cultural diversity and richness are profound.

EATING HABITSTraditional Bhutanese eating habits are simple and, in general, food is eaten with hands. Family members eat while sitting cross legged on the wooden floor with food first being served to the head of the household first. A typical Bhutanese meal consists of rice, a dish of Ema Datshi, the country’s favourite dish of chili and cheese, pork, beef curry or lentils.

BHUTANESE DRESSOne of the most distinctive features of the Bhutanese is their traditional dress.

Women wear the Kira, a long, ankle-length dress accompanied by a light outer jacket known as a Tego with an inner layer known as a Wonju.

Men wear the Gho, a knee-length robe somewhat resembling a kimono that is tied at the waist by a traditional belt known as Kera. The pouch t which forms at the front traditionally was used for carrying food bowls and a small dagger. Today however it is more accustomed to carrying small articles such as wallets, mobile phones and Doma.

GETTING TO BHUTANThe way to Bhutan: travel by air and travel by land.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

All tourists (excluding Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian passport holders) who wish to travel to Bhutan require a visa and must book their holiday through a Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners. The tour operator will take care of Visa arrangements for visitors.

WHAT ARE DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR INDIAN TOURIST ?

For entry permit for Indian tourist the following documents are required: 1) Pass port 2) Voter ID card 3) Adhar Card

Note (Driving License and Pan Card will not be accepted )

Entry To Bhutan

Phuentsholing Boarder Gate

All the tourist and vehicle permits are made in Phuentsholing Boarder for those travelling via land

Thimphu Sightseeing Places of interest in and around Thimphu :

• Memorial Chorten• Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang)• Semtokha Dzong• National Library• Institute for Zorig Chusum• The Folk Heritage Museum • Trashichhoedzong• Handicrafts Shops• Takin Preserve, Motithang

Buddha Point

Memorial Chorten

Trashichhoedzong

Takin Preserve

Traffic control

Paro SightseeingPlaces of interest in and around Paro (alt. 2200m/7218ft):

• Rinpung Dzong• Ta Dzong• Drukgyel Dzong• Kyichu Lhakhang• Dungtse Lhakhang • Ugyen Pelri Palace • Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger's Nest) and etc .

Rinpung Dzong Taktshang(Tigers Nest)

Kyichu LhakhangTa Dzong (Museum)

Drukgyel Dzong

Punakha Sightseeing Places of interest in and around Punakha(alt. 1300m/4265ft):

• Dochula Pass• Punakha Dzong• Chimi Lhakhang• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten• Talo• Punakha Ritsha Village

Dochula Pass Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Punakha DzongChimi Lhakhang

Taktsang “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery

http://www.bhutanmajestictravel.com/bhutan-districts/paro

ROYAL FAMILY OF BHUTAN

Thank you & Tashi Delek