The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small, mountainous, landlocked country in South Asia, located in the eastern Himalayas, bordered by India and China. Bhutan is home to a population of about 750,000 spread over approximately 38,394 square kilometers, roughly the size of Switzerland, with about 70% of its land under forest cover.
For centuries, Bhutan (Druk Yul, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’) has remained aloof from the rest of the world. The land rises from the plains of India approximately 100 meters above sea level in the southern region to over 7500 meters in northern areas. This great range of altitudinal zones and varied climatic conditions makes it possible to have the most diverse animal and plant life. Bhutan has been marked as one of the ten global "hot spots" on Earth by the World Wildlife Fund.
Bhutan is becoming increasingly known for its unique culture, its pristine ecology and the unparalleled scenic beauty of its majestic peaks and lush valleys. In many ways, Bhutan remains a magical kingdom of the past. Nearly everyone who visits Bhutan is awed by the unsurpassed majesty of the Himalayas.
| Location: | South Asia |
| Size/Area: | 38,394 sq.km |
| Altitude: | 100 m to 7,500 m above sea level |
| District/Province: | 20 |
| Population: | 750,000 |
| Capital City: | Thimphu |
| Head of State: | H.M. Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, Fifth King of Bhutan. |
| Type of government: | Democratic Constitutional Monarchy |
| Currency: | Ngultrum (Nu.) |
| Economy: | Agriculture, Hydropower & Tourism. |
| National Language: | Dzongkha |
| Religion(s): | Buddhism |
| Life expectancy: | 70 |
| Literacy rate: | 63% |
| GDP per capita income: | USD 2,611 (2014) |
| National Sport: | Archery |
| National Flower: | Blue Poppy |
| National Tree: | Cypress |
| National Bird: | Raven |
| National Animal: | Takin |
