BHUTAN
The Dragon Kingdom

Bhutan often revered as the "Land of the Peaceful Dragon" is still regarded as one of the last "Shangri-la's" in the Himalayan region because of its remoteness. Its spectacular mountain terrain. Varied flora and fauna and its unique ancient Buddhist monasteries. It is in the relatively unexplored pockets of Asia which allows only limited number of discerning travelers to enter the country in order to protect its fragile environment and culture.

Bhutan a purely Buddhist Himalayan kingdom is unsurpassed in its scenic majesty and vibrant culture. The kingdom shares with Nepal the world's greatest concentration of mountains and living heritage of Buddhism. The fifty minutes flight from Kathmandu to Paro can truly be described as a flight into fantasy. During the flight a first hand close up view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchejunga and other famous peaks become reality. Biweekly flights between these two kingdoms have made easier travel to the long isolated Dragon kingdom of Bhutan.

RELIGION:
Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is the state religion but the Nyingma school is also well represented in the central and eastern districts.

Festivals:
Festivals (Tshechus) are held in Bhutan through out the year at different locations. These festivals are celebrations of faith, legends, myths and history of Bhutan in ancient rituals of colourful dance and music. The most popular for tourists are those held in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of the year for tourism and reservation are difficult to come by festival time is one of the only periods during a year when tourists are permitted inside the courtyard of the Dzongs. The Dzongs come to life with colour, music and dancing as valley dwellers and townsfolk dress in their best clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked and sword dances and other rituals are performed in the Dzong's courtyard and temples. Each dance has its own significance and can be performed by monks or lay men dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliqués or Thongdrels. The moment of the unveiling s shrouded in secrecy and creates great excitement amongst all the participants.

CLIMATE:
The monsoons starts in mid June and lasts until the end of September. The climate with in the mountains varies greatly according to precipitation and wind conditions. In the Duars plain and upto 1500m. the climate is sub-tropical with high humidity and heavy rainfall. The climate of mid-mountain belt varies. Such that low-lying parts of Punakha, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuntse have cool winter and hot summers, whereas the higher valleys of Ha, Paro, Thimpu, Tongsa and Bumthang range from 2,500 to 4,500m. endure a temperate climate with cold snowy winters and somewhat cooler summers.

Spring is rhododendron season in Bhutan. The mountain sides all over the country are ablaze in shades or red and orange. Days are warm but nights are still cold. As the monsoon rises from the Bay of Bengal, spring turns to summer and three months of heavy monsoon rains. Arguably the loveliest time of the year in Bhutan , Autumn brings clear skies & warm days.

ECONOMY:
In 1995, the per capita income was estimated at USD 500 with the annual growth at 5%. Although these figures places Bhutan among the least developed nations the country is unlike others within that category as no famine, little malnutrition, good housing, exits. Over91% of the population depend on agriculture and livestock rearing which together account for some 50% of GDP, despite the fact that only 2% of the land is arable.

MONEY:
The National currency is Ngultrum Nu 100 Chetrum = 1 Nu. Exchange reate is approximately US$ 1 = Nu. 42.75 Indian Rupees circulate at par.

COUNTRY PROFILE:
Bhutan (Druk Yul)
Population 7,00,000
Capital Thimpu
Location Bhutan lies between 890 and 920E and 270 and 280N
Time 30 minutes ahead of Indian standard Time 6 hours ahead of GMT
Language Dzongri
People there are two main population group in Bhutan. The Drukpa (67%) of Tibetan and Monpa origin and Lhotsampa (30% of Nepalese origin)
The rest 3% comprise of indigenous tribal groups such as Toktop. Doya and Lepcha of SW Bhutan.