This document provides an overview of Bhutan, including its history, geography, climate, culture, and tourism. Some key points: - Bhutan unified as a country in 1634 and became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. Britain and India previously handled its foreign affairs. - It has a population of around 700,000 people scattered across 47,000 square kilometers in the Himalayas. The climate varies from tropical to perpetual snow. - Bhutanese culture is known for its traditional dress like the kira and gho. Food usually consists of rice and chili cheese dishes. Religion includes Buddhism, Hinduism, and others. - Thimphu and Paro are major cities with sites like memorial ch

1. BhutanINCBhutanINC
By
Khina Maya
Tour operator
Bhutan INC

2. Himalayan
Kingdom
http://www.bhutanculture.org/images/Bhutan_Location_Map_2.jpg

3. Bhutan History
• 1634 – Country Unified
• 1907 – First King
• 1910 – Britain handled foreign affairs in return for
not interfering with internal affairs
• 1947 – India took over role
• 2007 – Renegotiated; India still handles a lot of
Bhutan's foreign affairs
• 2008 – First constitution; becomes constitutional
monarchy

4. Population Statistics
• Population
– 700,000 people
– Approximately same
population of Alaska
• Rate of increase
– 2.3%
– Approximately 16,000
people per year
• GDP (PPP)
– $4,980

5. Land Area
~47,000 km2
(18,150 mile2
)
(About the same as Vermont and New Hampshire combined)
Population Density: 14/km2
(37/mile2
)
http://prb.org/Datafinder/Geography/Summary.aspx?region=141&region_type=2
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6. Climate
• Climate:
– Tropical in the south
– Perpetual snow in the north due
to the Himalayas.
• Annual Rainfall (per year)
– Himalayan regions
< 500mm (< 20in)
– Inner central valleys
500mm - 1000mm (20in – 40in)
– Southern foothills
2000mm - 3500mm (80in – 140in)
– Southern border area
3000mm - 5000mm (120in – 200in)
• Rain in monsoon season
– June to September
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7. http://maps.google.com/maps
Satellite View of Bhutan

8. ABOUT BHUTAN
PEOPLE
Bhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups.
The Tshanglas, Ngalops and the Lhotshampas.
SOCIETY
Bhutanese society is free of class or a caste system. Slavery was abolished by
the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the early 1950s through a royal edict.
Though, a few organizations to empower women were established in the past
Bhutanese society has always maintained relative gender equality. In general our
nation is an open and a good-spirited society.
RELIGION
The Bhutanese constitution guarantees freedom of religion and citizens and
visitors are free to practice any form of worship so long as it does not impinge on
the rights of others. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are also present in the
country.

10. CULTURE
While Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world, its cultural diversity and
richness are profound.
EATING HABITS
Traditional Bhutanese eating habits are simple and, in general, food is eaten with hands.
Family members eat while sitting cross legged on the wooden floor with food first being
served to the head of the household first. A typical Bhutanese meal consists of rice, a
dish of Ema Datshi, the country’s favourite dish of chili and cheese, pork, beef curry or
lentils.
BHUTANESE DRESS
One of the most distinctive features of the Bhutanese is their traditional dress.
Women wear the Kira, a long, ankle-length dress accompanied by a light outer jacket
known as a Tego with an inner layer known as a Wonju.
Men wear the Gho, a knee-length robe somewhat resembling a kimono that is tied at the
waist by a traditional belt known as Kera. The pouch t which forms at the front
traditionally was used for carrying food bowls and a small dagger. Today however it is
more accustomed to carrying small articles such as wallets, mobile phones and Doma.

12. GETTING TO BHUTAN
The way to Bhutan: travel by air and travel by land.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
All tourists (excluding Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian passport holders) who wish
to travel to Bhutan require a visa and must book their holiday through a Bhutanese
tour operator or one of their international partners. The tour operator will take care
of Visa arrangements for visitors.
WHAT ARE DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR INDIAN TOURIST ?
For entry permit for Indian tourist the following documents are required:
1) Pass port
2) Voter ID card
3) Adhar Card
Note (Driving License and Pan Card will not be accepted )

13. Entry To Bhutan
Phuentsholing Boarder Gate
All the tourist and vehicle permits are made in Phuentsholing Boarder for
those travelling via land

14. Thimphu Sightseeing
Places of interest in and around Thimphu :
• Memorial Chorten
• Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang)
• Semtokha Dzong
• National Library
• Institute for Zorig Chusum
• The Folk Heritage Museum
• Trashichhoedzong
• Handicrafts Shops
• Takin Preserve, Motithang

15. Buddha Point
Memorial Chorten
Trashichhoedzong
Takin Preserve
Traffic control

16. Paro Sightseeing
Places of interest in and around Paro (alt. 2200m/7218ft):
• Rinpung Dzong
• Ta Dzong
• Drukgyel Dzong
• Kyichu Lhakhang
• Dungtse Lhakhang
• Ugyen Pelri Palace
• Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger's Nest) and etc .

17. Rinpung Dzong Taktshang(Tigers Nest)
Kyichu Lhakhang
Ta Dzong (Museum)
Drukgyel Dzong

18. Punakha Sightseeing
Places of interest in and around Punakha(alt. 1300m/4265ft):
• Dochula Pass
• Punakha Dzong
• Chimi Lhakhang
• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
• Talo
• Punakha Ritsha Village

19. Dochula Pass
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Punakha Dzong
Chimi Lhakhang

20. Taktsang “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery

21. ROYAL FAMILY OF BHUTAN

22. Thank you & Tashi Delek