Travelling Club - Bhutan

Fact Sheet: Bhutan

• Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
• Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E
• Area: total: 47,000 sq km
• Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
• Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
• Natural hazards: violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
• Population: 2,279,723
• Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
• Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
• Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
• Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
• Capital: name: Thimphu
• Currency code: ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
• Exchange rates: ngultrum per US dollar - 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61 (2002), 47.186 (2001)
• Internet country code: .bt
• Airports: 2 (2006)