Bhutan

Bhutan is divided into four dzongdey (administrative zones). Each dzongdey is further divided into dzongkhag (districts). There are twenty dzongkhag in Bhutan. Large dzongkhags are further divided into subdistricts known as dungkhag. At the basic level, groups of villages form a constituency called gewog (blocks) and are administered by a gup, who is elected by [...]

The Ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan and its value is pegged to the Indian rupee. The rupee is also accepted as legal tender in the country. Though Bhutan’s economy is one of the world’s smallest, it has grown rapidly in recent years, by eight percent in 2005 and 14 percent in 2006. In 2007, [...]

Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until the early 1960s. One of the main attractions for tourists is the country’s culture and traditions. Bhutanese tradition is deeply steeped in its Buddhist heritage. Hinduism is the second dominant religion [...]

Bhutanese people primarily consist of the Ngalops, and Sharchops, called the Western Bhutanese and Eastern Bhutanese respectively. The Ngalops primarily consist of Bhutanese living in the western part of the country. Their culture is closely related to that of Tibet. Much the same could be said of the Sharchops, the dominant group, who originate from [...]

Jakar, the administrative headquarters of Bumthang District and the place where Buddhism entered Bhutan. Mongar, the eastern commercial hub of the country. Paro, site of the international airport. Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s commercial hub. Punakha, the old capital. Samdrup Jongkhar Thimphu, the largest city and capital of Bhutan. Trashigang, the most populous district in the country. Trongsa, [...]

Bhutanese art is similar to the art of Tibet. Both are based upon Vajrayana Buddhism, with its pantheon of divine beings. The major orders of Buddhism in Bhutan are Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma. The former is a branch of the Kagyu School and is known for paintings documenting the lineage of Buddhist masters and the [...]

Censorship in Bhutan is comparable to its South Asian neighbours, although not as focused or systematic as censorship in China. Bhutan has one government majority-owned newspaper, the Kuensel, and three private newspapers and three internet service providers. It also has three private FM radio stations.

Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 23 states. In 1971, sponsored by India, Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the UN, though it has no diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members on the UN Security Council. In 1981, Bhutan joined IMF and World Bank, followed by the World Health Organisation and [...]

Bhutan Postal Corporation Ltd., or Bhutan Post, is the company in Bhutan responsible for the operation of the postal system. Until 1996 the post in Bhutan was run by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, part of the Ministry of Communications, but in line with the Government of Bhutan’s policy of giving autonomy to organisations [...]

Bhutan has produced postage stamps for national use since 1962. Burt Todd, who may have been the first American to visit the Kingdom of Bhutan, assisted in establishing a postage stamp program in Bhutan. Bhutan has become know for the unusual designs of its postage stamps which were originally chosen by Burt Todd specifically to [...]