Wikijunior:Asia/Bhutan
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Bhutan
Bhutan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ), officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a country in the Himalayas (in South Asia). Bhutan is a kingdom, and is ruled by the Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King"). The current king of Bhutan is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who has been the king of Bhutan since 2006.
In a general survey in 2006, Bhutan was rated the happiest country in Asia, and the 8th happiest country in the world. Bhutan is a member of the United Nations, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Bhutan's currency is Ngultrum.
Where is the Bhutan?
Bhutan is located in South Asia on the eastern part of Himalayas. It is a landlocked country, meaning there is no sea bordering the country. China is found north of the country, while India can be found south of the country. The Indian state of Sikkim comes in between Nepal and Bhutan.
How many people live in Bhutan?
As of 2013, around 753,947 people live in Bhutan. The largest city of Bhutan is also its capital, Thimphu, with around 91,000 people (2011). The second biggest city in Bhutan is Phuntsholing, which has 20,537 people (2005), and the third is Punakha, with 21,500 people.
What are the most common languages in Bhutan?
The national language of Bhutan is Bhutanese, which is also known as Dzongkha. Around 24 different languages are spoken in Bhutan.
What is the most common religion in Bhutan?
Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan, and the most common religion with around two-thirds to three-quarters of people living in Bhutan following the religion. Around one-quarter to one-third of Bhutan's people are followers of Hinduism. Hinduism is more common in the southern part of the country. Less than 1 percent have a religion other than Buddhism or Hinduism. It is free to practice religion in Bhutan, but it is not allowed to convince another person to change religion.
What is the sport of Bhutan?
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and archery competitions are held in villages across the country. The type of archery commonly practiced in Bhutan is different than that being used in the Olympics. Other popular sports in Bhutan are football and cricket.
Bhutan's national football team defeated Sri Lanka in the 2018 World Cup Qualifications two times, while Bhutan's Cricket team is one of the more successful cricket teams in the region.
What are some important sights?
- Paro Taktsang, commonly known as the Tiger's Nest, is a monastery found near the cliff side of the Paro Valley. It was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave. It is said that in the 8th century, Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the place for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours! Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism in Bhutan. The monastery is best known for the thirteen taktsang, or "tiger lair" caves, in which he meditated.̇̇
- Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fortress and Buddhist monestry in the upper part of the Paro District (in Phondey Village). History says (about Drukgyal Dzong) that in 1649, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel created the dzong to commemorate his victory against the Tibetan-Mongol forces. But then a fire broke out in Drukgyal Dzong in 1951, and sadly... only some of the relics of the Drukgyal Dzong were rescued from the fire, such as the image of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After the fire, the ruined fortress was still under protection, and continues to be a beautiful site of Bhutan.
- Kurjey Lhakhang, is the site of the burial of the first three kings of Bhutan, located in Bumthang Valley, in the Bumthang district. A large tree behind the Kurjey Lhakhang is believed to be terma (hidden religious teachings (Buddhist)), placed by Padmasambhava. It's quite a fascinating and interesting site.
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