The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked South Asian nation situated between India and China. The entire country is mountainous except for a small strip of subtropical plains in the extreme south which is intersected by valleys known as the Duars. The elevation gain from the subtropical plains to the glacier-covered Himalayan heights exceeds 7,000 m (23,000 feet). Its traditional economy is based on forestry, animal husbandry and subsistence agriculture however these account for less than 50% of a GDP now that Bhutan has become an exporter of hydroelectricity. Cash crops, tourism, and development aid (the latter mostly from India) are also significant. An extensive census conducted in April 2006 resulted in a population figure of 672,425. Thimphu is the capital and largest city. Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations in the world; foreign influences and tourism are regulated by the government to preserve its traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Choose your Asian Flight Destination ...
Special Offers Alerts
Travelhouseuk on iGoogle
Asian Holidays...
