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Vital Statistics of Bhutan
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Called the "Switzerland of Asia" by many, Bhutan is unique among Asian countries.
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POPULATION: 600,000+
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AREA 47,000 square kilometres (about the same size as Switzerland)
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CAPITAL: Thimphu
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DRUKPAS: 67%
Two groups. Those related to the Tibetans speak
Dzongkha. The other major language is Tsangla or Sharchop in
the east with 11 different dialects. Tsangla, Layaps and Brokpa
are indigenous languages to Bhutan.
NEPALI: 20%
Formerly the second largest peoples group after the Tsangla. They inhabited the southern region
mostly. Now due to disagreements over government policies many have moved back to Nepal, their
country of origin.
OTHERS: 13%
Indians, Tibetans, Sikkimese, Sherpas, etc.
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ECONOMY: Agricultural Base, with development potential for
international business.
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POLITICS: Constitutional monarchy. Isolated from the
outside world until trade and cultural links to Tibet were severed after the Chinese Communist invasion
of Tibet. India has agreed to guide Bhutan in its foreign affairs due to the border dispute between
China and India.
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RELIGION: Unity of the people and independence of the country is under
state control of the Monastic Body of the Kargyukpa
Buddhist sect .
BUDDHISM: 69%
HINDU: 20%
MUSLIM: 2%
CHRISTIAN: 9%
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Nestled high in the Himalayan
mountains, this small monarchy represents one of
the world's most remote and least visited lands.
Closed to the outside world until 1974, Bhutan
was accessible only by narrow mountain trails and
that only by special invitation of the
government. Bhutan is tied, both historically and
culturally, to neighboring Tibet.
Today a modern road connects the capital
city Thimphu with Phuentsholing, Bhutan's border
town on the Indian plains. The national carrier,
Druk Air, is the only air line allowed into the
country and requires its pilots to undergo
specialized mountain flight training.
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