Here we are with another blog on the series “KNOW OUR WORLD”. In this blog, we will talk about a country, globally famous for its natural beauty, forest conservation, gross national happiness, great culture & heritage and biodiversity, i.e., Bhutan.
Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. Bhutan covers 72% forest area of the country which is one of the large biodiversity places in the world. The country has a population of over 754,000 and a territory of 38,394 square kilometers which ranks 133rd in terms of land area, and 160th in population.
Table of Contents
Major Statistics:
Let’s discuss some important aspects of this country first.
- Official Name: Kingdom of Bhutan
- Capital City: Thimphu
- Bhutanese Name: Druk Gyal Khap (the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’)
- Religion: Buddhism (75%), Hinduism (24%)
- National Anthem: Druk Tsendhen
- Language: Dzongkha (Bhutanese)
- Currency: Ngultrum
- National Flower: Blue poppy
- National animal: Takin
- National Bird: Raven
- National Sports: Archery
- National Flag:
The flag features the Thunder Dragon, the country’s emblem. Yellow symbolizes the authority of the king, white represents purity and loyalty, while orange is symbolic of the Drukpa monasteries.
- National Day: 17 December
Geography:
Bhutan is located on the Asian continent and a landlocked country in the Himalayan mountains.
- Largest city: Thimphu
- Smallest city: Tsirang
Polity:
- Current Prime Minister: Lotay Tshering.
- Current King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
- First King: Ugyen Wangchuck
- First Prime Minister: Dasho Jigme Yozer Thinley
Some Interesting Facts:
- Bhutan’s highest mountain is Gangkhar Puensum.
- The longest river in Bhutan is the Manas River.
- Paro Taktsang: This famous monastery in the Himalayas is known also as the ‘Tiger’s Nest‘.
- Bhutan is the only nation in the world where the sale of tobacco is banned.
- Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in Bhutan—and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
- Thimpu is one of just two capital cities in Asia that does not have a single traffic light. (The other is Pyongyang, North Korea.)
- Bhutan was among the last countries in the world to adopt television.
- Bhutan is the only carbon negative country in the world, which means that it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces.
So, this is all for this blog. We’ll keep updating you with such interesting blogs in future as well so that you don’t face any difficulty while appearing for competitive exams such as SSC CHSL, NET JRF, etc.
In the next blog, we would be discussing some interesting facts and trivia about the country Switzerland. Click here to Know Country – ‘Switzerland’.
