The Land of the Thunder Dragon
Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked Himalayan kingdom in South Asia, bordered by China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north and India to the south, east, and west. Known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, unique Buddhist culture, and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan stands as a global symbol of peace, environmental preservation, and cultural authenticity.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Bhutan’s civilization traces back over a thousand years. The country’s modern identity emerged in the 17th century under the unifying leadership of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a Tibetan lama who established the dual system of governance combining both spiritual and temporal authority.
Key Historical Timeline:
7th Century: Buddhism introduced from Tibet
1616: Unification of Bhutan by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
1907: Hereditary monarchy established – Wangchuck Dynasty
1949: Treaty of Friendship with India
1971: Joined the United Nations
2008: Transition to a Constitutional Monarchy with democratic elections
Bhutan remains one of the few nations that have never been colonized, maintaining its sovereignty and unique identity throughout history.
🧭 Basic National Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Kingdom of Bhutan |
| Capital City | Thimphu |
| King (Druk Gyalpo) | His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
| Prime Minister | Lotay Tshering (as of 2025) |
| Area | ~38,394 sq. km |
| Population | ~790,000 (2025 estimate) |
| Currency | Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) & Indian Rupee (INR accepted) |
| Time Zone | Bhutan Standard Time (UTC+6) |
| Dial Code | +975 |
| Top-Level Domain | .bt |
| National Symbol | Thunder Dragon (Druk) |
⚖️ Government and Leadership
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2025) |
|---|---|
| Monarch (Druk Gyalpo) | King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck |
| Prime Minister | Lotay Tshering |
| Government Type | Democratic Constitutional Monarchy |
| Legislature | Bicameral – National Assembly & National Council |
| Judiciary | Supreme Court of Bhutan |
Bhutan’s governance blends monarchy with democracy, emphasizing harmony, environmental care, and people’s happiness over material wealth.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
Bhutan is divided into 20 districts (Dzongkhags).
Each district is headed by a Dzongda (Governor) and subdivided into Gewogs (blocks) and Thromdes (municipalities).
20 Districts of Bhutan:
Bumthang
Chhukha
Dagana
Gasa
Haa
Lhuntse
Mongar
Paro
Pemagatshel
Punakha
Samdrup Jongkhar
Samtse
Sarpang
Thimphu
Trashigang
Trashiyangtse
Trongsa
Tsirang
Wangdue Phodrang
Zhemgang
Each district is subdivided into Gewogs (blocks) and Chiwogs (village clusters).
Local Governance:
Dzongkhag Administration: District-level governance
Gewog Administration: Local rural development councils
Thromde: Urban municipalities managing city affairs
Leadership & Governance
The King is the symbol of unity and custodian of Bhutanese values.
The Prime Minister leads the executive government under the Constitution.
Strong commitment to:
Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Environmental sustainability
Cultural preservation
Responsible tourism and decentralization
Law Enforcement & Safety
Main forces:
Royal Bhutan Police (RBP)
Royal Bhutan Army (under monarchy)
DeSuung volunteers (disaster and civil support)
Extremely low crime rate
High public trust in state institutions
Emergency Numbers:
113 – Police
112 – Ambulance/Fire
🌐 Geography & Environment
Region: Eastern Himalayas
Elevation: 160m (southern plains) to 7,570m (Gangkhar Puensum – world’s highest unclimbed mountain)
Climate: Subtropical (south), temperate (central), alpine (north)
Forested Area: ~70% of total land area
Rivers: Wang Chhu, Puna Tsang Chhu, Manas River
Bhutan is globally admired for being carbon-negative, absorbing more CO₂ than it emits.
🛕 Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| State Religion | Vajrayana Buddhism |
| Other Faiths | Hinduism (mainly in southern Bhutan) |
| Official Language | Dzongkha |
| Common Languages | English, Nepali, Sharchopkha |
| Cultural Identity | Deeply rooted in Buddhist values, architecture, and festivals |
Major Festivals:
Paro Tshechu
Thimphu Tshechu
Punakha Drubchen
Haa Summer Festival
Traditional dress (Gho for men, Kira for women) and Dzong-style architecture symbolize Bhutanese pride and unity.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
Bhutan’s economy focuses on sustainability and happiness rather than industrialization. Its main revenue comes from:
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| Hydropower | Main export to India – cornerstone of economy |
| Agriculture | Rice, maize, potatoes, and organic farming |
| Tourism | “High Value, Low Impact” model to preserve nature and culture |
| Handicrafts | Weaving, woodcarving, and religious art |
| Service Sector | Growing banking and digital economy |
Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index measures progress across spiritual, social, and environmental wellbeing.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
Education: Free and compulsory up to secondary level
Medium of Instruction: English
Major Institutions: Royal University of Bhutan, Jigme Namgyel Engineering College
Healthcare: Free and accessible nationwide
Life Expectancy: ~72 years
Special Focus: Traditional medicine integrated with modern health system
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Main Airport | Paro International Airport (one of the world’s most challenging runways) |
| Major Highways | East-West Highway connects all Dzongkhags |
| Telecom & Internet | Expanding digital connectivity and fiber network |
| Energy | 100% renewable hydropower-driven electricity |
Despite its rugged terrain, Bhutan continues to improve road access while maintaining environmental harmony.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Bhutan offers unmatched Himalayan beauty, ancient monasteries, and spiritual tranquility.
Key attractions include:
Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) – Iconic cliffside temple
Punakha Dzong – Majestic riverside fortress
Buddha Dordenma Statue (Thimphu)
Dochula Pass – 108 stupas with panoramic Himalayan views
Phobjikha Valley – Winter home of black-necked cranes
Bumthang Valley – The spiritual heartland of Bhutan
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| UN Membership | Since 1971 |
| Regional Cooperation | SAARC, BIMSTEC, UNESCAP |
| Diplomatic Focus | India, Bangladesh, Japan, and the UN |
| Environmental Leadership | First carbon-negative nation |
| Foreign Policy Principle | “Friendship with all, malice toward none” |
📝 Summary
Bhutan represents a rare harmony between spirituality, ecology, and governance. Guided by its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, the nation proves that progress is not only about material wealth but also about balance — between nature, faith, and human wellbeing.
📢 News & Articles
Explore Bhutan through recent insights:
“Gross National Happiness: Bhutan’s Unique Path to Sustainable Development”
“The Hidden Monasteries of Paro Valley”
“How Bhutan Became the World’s First Carbon-Negative Nation”
🎯 Our Mission
Through this platform, we aim to offer an authentic and data-driven insight into Bhutan’s people, places, and policies — highlighting its leadership in sustainability, spirituality, and governance.
📬 Contact Us
Found something to improve or add?
We welcome your contribution to make this national knowledge hub more accurate and informative.
🌐 Geography & Environment
Region: Eastern Himalayas
Elevation: 160m (southern plains) to 7,570m (Gangkhar Puensum – world’s highest unclimbed mountain)
Climate: Subtropical (south), temperate (central), alpine (north)
Forested Area: ~70% of total land area
Rivers: Wang Chhu, Puna Tsang Chhu, Manas River
Bhutan is globally admired for being carbon-negative, absorbing more CO₂ than it emits.
🛕 Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| State Religion | Vajrayana Buddhism |
| Other Faiths | Hinduism (mainly in southern Bhutan) |
| Official Language | Dzongkha |
| Common Languages | English, Nepali, Sharchopkha |
| Cultural Identity | Deeply rooted in Buddhist values, architecture, and festivals |
Major Festivals:
Paro Tshechu
Thimphu Tshechu
Punakha Drubchen
Haa Summer Festival
Traditional dress (Gho for men, Kira for women) and Dzong-style architecture symbolize Bhutanese pride and unity.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
Bhutan’s economy focuses on sustainability and happiness rather than industrialization. Its main revenue comes from:
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| Hydropower | Main export to India – cornerstone of economy |
| Agriculture | Rice, maize, potatoes, and organic farming |
| Tourism | “High Value, Low Impact” model to preserve nature and culture |
| Handicrafts | Weaving, woodcarving, and religious art |
| Service Sector | Growing banking and digital economy |
Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index measures progress across spiritual, social, and environmental wellbeing.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
Education: Free and compulsory up to secondary level
Medium of Instruction: English
Major Institutions: Royal University of Bhutan, Jigme Namgyel Engineering College
Healthcare: Free and accessible nationwide
Life Expectancy: ~72 years
Special Focus: Traditional medicine integrated with modern health system
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Main Airport | Paro International Airport (one of the world’s most challenging runways) |
| Major Highways | East-West Highway connects all Dzongkhags |
| Telecom & Internet | Expanding digital connectivity and fiber network |
| Energy | 100% renewable hydropower-driven electricity |
Despite its rugged terrain, Bhutan continues to improve road access while maintaining environmental harmony.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Bhutan offers unmatched Himalayan beauty, ancient monasteries, and spiritual tranquility.
Key attractions include:
Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) – Iconic cliffside temple
Punakha Dzong – Majestic riverside fortress
Buddha Dordenma Statue (Thimphu)
Dochula Pass – 108 stupas with panoramic Himalayan views
Phobjikha Valley – Winter home of black-necked cranes
Bumthang Valley – The spiritual heartland of Bhutan
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| UN Membership | Since 1971 |
| Regional Cooperation | SAARC, BIMSTEC, UNESCAP |
| Diplomatic Focus | India, Bangladesh, Japan, and the UN |
| Environmental Leadership | First carbon-negative nation |
| Foreign Policy Principle | “Friendship with all, malice toward none” |
📝 Summary
Bhutan represents a rare harmony between spirituality, ecology, and governance. Guided by its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, the nation proves that progress is not only about material wealth but also about balance — between nature, faith, and human wellbeing.
📢 News & Articles
Explore Bhutan through recent insights:
“Gross National Happiness: Bhutan’s Unique Path to Sustainable Development”
“The Hidden Monasteries of Paro Valley”
“How Bhutan Became the World’s First Carbon-Negative Nation”
🎯 Our Mission
Through this platform, we aim to offer an authentic and data-driven insight into Bhutan’s people, places, and policies — highlighting its leadership in sustainability, spirituality, and governance.
📬 Contact Us
Found something to improve or add?
We welcome your contribution to make this national knowledge hub more accurate and informative.