|
 The Kingdom of Bhutan is tucked away in the remote eastern Himalayas neighboring India and Tibet. For centuries foreigners have been forbidden to enter the country. Since opening its borders in 1974, Bhutan has taken a cautious approach to tourism and currently allows only 5,000 tourists annually.
 Bhutan is one of the world's most exotic and exciting destinations. Its incredible natural beauty and deeply traditional lifestyle are virtually unspoiled thanks to its inaccessable location, centuries of self-imposed isolation, and strict environmental and cultural policies. Bhutan was a secluded group of medieval kingdoms until the 16th century when it was conquered by Nagawang Namgyel, a member of Tibet's ruling family. He fled his monastery in Tibet and proclaimed himself ruler of a unified Bhutan, with each valley of the country governed by a central religious and administrative fortress, or dzong. This system lasted until 1907 when Bhutan, aided by the British, became an autonomous monarchy required only to consult India regarding its foreign relations. The monarchy brought an end to years of internal power struggles, eventually bringing forth stability and interaction with the rest of the world.
The radiant smiles and peaceful nature of the Bhutanese are often attributed to the predominance of Buddhism--over 75% of the country is Buddhist. In addition to Dzongkha (the national language, closely related to Tibetan), there are many regional languages. Though English is used for all international communication and most education, in most other aspects of Bhutanese culture tradition is very much alive. Prayer flags dot the landscape, festivals take place year-round, and western-style dress is rarely seen - men wear woven knee-length robes, while women wear a similar ankle-length dress.
The country is divided into three distinct regions. Ninety percent of Bhutan's people are hill farmers living in the temperate central valleys where villages are decorated in bright colors, terraced rice paddies cover the fertile mountain slopes, and rivers flow through the major towns. The plains and foothills of the tropical southern lowlands are home to many species of exotic wildlife, including the golden langur monkey, elephant, bison, tiger, rhinoceros, and a fascinating array of butterflies. Semi-nomadic people live in the high Himalayas of northern Bhutan, a pristine region of glaciers and lakes. |
