Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a sovereign state located in the Eastern Himalayas, holding a geographically significant position in South Asia. Comprising an area of 38,394 square kilometers, this landlocked country is bordered to the north by the People’s Republic of China and to the south by the Republic of India. Its land mass ranks 133rd worldwide. Bhutan ranks 160th in the world based on population—more than 727,145 people. The nation is quite interesting for academics and culture because of its special mix of modern government systems and old customs.

Political systems of Bhutan are distinguished by a constitutional monarchy. Known as the Druk Gyalpo, the head of state rules alongside a parliamentary democracy run by a prime minister. The national spiritual scene is dominated by Vajrayana Buddhism, the official religion under direction of the Je Khenpo. Understanding Bhutan’s social fabric depends on knowing this complex intertwining of secular and religious power.

From southern subtropical plains to northern subalpine Himalayan hills, the landscape of the nation shows amazing variety. Peak heights above 7,000 meters define the Bhutanese Himalayas; Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in the country. Specifically, this mountain is the highest unclimbed peak in the world. Hosting rare species such the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) and the Himalayan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei), this diversified terrain greatly adds to Bhutan’s extraordinary biodiversity.

The heart of Bhutan’s government and business activity is Thimphu, the capital and most populated city. Thimphu, which houses around 15% of the country’s total population, perfectly embodies the careful balance Bhutan keeps between efforts at modernity and preservation of its culture.

Bhutan’s historical path is clearly entwined with the spread of Buddhism from the Indian subcontinent. From the southern Pala Empire of Bengal, the Vajrayana style of Buddhism spread throughout Bhutan around the first millennium CE. In Bhutanese history, a turning point came about in the sixteenth century when Ngawang Namgyal brought the several valleys of Bhutan together. Under his transforming leadership, Namgyal constructed the Tsa Yig legal system, unified competing religious groups, effectively repulsed many Tibetan assaults, and created a government combining theocratic and civil administration.

Namgyal’s elevation as the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche started a succession of spiritual leaders comparable to the Dalai Lama’s position in Tibet. Under this theocratic government, Bhutan expanded geographically and gained more regional power in the 17th century, thus expanding its control over significant areas of northeast India, Sikkim, and Nepal, and so exercising great impact over the Cooch Behar State.

For Bhutan, the 19th century brought substantial geopolitical changes. The Bengal Duars were turned up to British India during the Bhutan War. The House of Wangchuck, a royal dynasty seeking to strengthen diplomatic links with Britain on the Indian subcontinent, also first emerged during this time. Signed in 1910, a contract guaranteed British direction in issues of foreign policy while maintaining Bhutan’s domestic sovereignty. After India gained its independence, this arrangement changed to result in a new treaty signed in Darjeeling in 1949 whereby both countries publicly acknowledged each other’s authority.

In the last part of the 20th century, Bhutan’s interaction with the outside world grew notably less. A turning point in the nation’s diplomatic history came with its UN accession in 1971. Bhutan thereafter developed official diplomatic ties to 55 nations. Reflecting the ongoing strategic cooperation between the two countries, Bhutan depends on the Indian military for further help even while it retains its own armed units.

With the birth of a parliamentary administration in 2008, Bhutan’s political development underwent a sea change. Further democratizing the country’s government system, the newly enacted constitution included an elected National Assembly and a National Council.

Bhutan’s founding participation in the South Asian Association for Regional Collaboration (SAARC), shows its dedication to regional collaboration. The nation has gained respect abroad for its accomplishments in several spheres. On the Human Development Index, Bhutan placed third in South Asia as of 2020—above only Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Bhutan has also set itself out as the most peaceful nation in South Asia, placing 21st on the Global Peace Index as of 2024.

The way the monarchy handles government and development has drawn interest from all around. Leading the SAARC rankings in economic freedom, ease of doing business, peace, and absence of corruption in 2016 was Bhutan. The great hydrological resources of the nation position it as a possible hydroelectric power superpower with chances for sustainable energy growth.

But Bhutan has major environmental problems, especially with relation to glacier retreat brought on by climate change. This phenomena seriously jeopardizes the ecosystems and water supplies of the nation, hence aggressive actions and international collaboration are absolutely necessary to solve this urgent problem.

Bhutan’s economy depends much on tourism; the nation has taken a distinctive “high-value, low-impact” strategy. Bhutan received 133,480 outside tourists in 2014. Except for guests from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh, most foreign nationals pay US$100 a daily sustainable development charge imposed by the country. This approach seeks to protect Bhutan’s natural and cultural legacy while making sure that travel helps the local businesses and people.

With eight potential UNESCO World Heritage places ranging from ancient ruins to animal sanctuaries to dzongs (fortress-monasteries), national parks, and holy places, Bhutan reflects in its rich cultural and ecological legacy. Registered on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, the Mask dance of the drummers from Drametse epitomizes the distinctive cultural customs of the nation.

Bhutan’s transportation system is still developing; Paro Airport is the only international airport in the nation. Drukair, the national airline, runs domestic flights linking several parts of the nation, therefore enabling internal connection and helping the travel industry.