Bhutan Overview

By | October 29, 2020

Bhutan is a kingdom in southern Asia that borders China and India. Bhutan is a distinctly mountainous country in the eastern part of the Himalayas, and thus without any coast. The climate varies from tropical in the far south to temperate inland climate in the center to subarctic in the north.

Bhutan flagBhutan 2

Capital: Thimphu
Biggest city: Thimphu
State: monarchy
Language: dzongkha
Religion: buddhism
Surface: 47,000 km²
Population: 725 300 (2013)
Population density: 15 residents per km²
Life expectancy: 66 years
Illiteracy: 53%
Currency: ngultrum (BTN)
1 ngultrum = 0.13 kr
GDP per capita: $ 5,500 (2010)
Time difference: +5 hours
Electricity: 220 V AC, 50Hz
National Day: December 17
Country area code: 975
2-Letter country abbreviation: BT (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder)
Business: agriculture 93%, service sector 5%, industry and trade 2%
Climate: tropical on the plains to the south; cold winters and hot summers in the valleys inland; cold winters and cold summers in the mountains

A Buddhist theocracy was established in Bhutan in the early 17th century. In the 19th century, British influence was reminded, but it was not until 1910 that the British formally established a protectorate over the country, with British control over foreign policy. The current monarchy was established in 1907 and remained even during the country’s time as a British protectorate.

The economy in the country is one of the world’s smallest and least developed. The basic industries are agriculture and forestry and these two main industries feed 90 percent of the population. The foreign trade that occurs is primarily that which takes place with India. The hydropower potential in Bhutan is great, but the government in Bhutan does not want to develop it too much because it believes that the country is an idyll that it does not want to disturb.

Bhutan is one of the most closed communities in the world, and the opportunities for foreigners to visit the country are limited to certain selected areas and at a high price. The majority of the population lives in small villages in the countryside, and subsist on agriculture and breeding jackets. Buddhism is an important part of life.

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in Bhutan

Voltage: 230 V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Type of plug: D, F, G

Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in Thimphu

Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Christmas Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperature °C 6 7 11 13 16 18 20 19 18 17 13 10
Day °C 13 14 17 20 21 22 25 24 23 22 20 18
Night °C 0 0 4 7 12 14 15 15 14 12 6 3

Thimphu

According to Countryaah, Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, and has 79,185 residents (2005). The city is located at an altitude of 2,320 meters above sea level. It was built in the 1950s at the monastery castle that has been the ruler’s summer residence since 1641.

The city is located along the western valley of the Wang Chhu River. In recent years, Thimphu has grown alarmingly due to increasing urbanization and its center has therefore been completely rebuilt, and new suburbs have also been built. Norzim Lam, the city’s main street, houses many shops, restaurants and more. Regulations say that all buildings must be decorated in the classical Buddhist way. A market near the river is a place for meat and vegetable trade, and most of the city’s industries are located south of the main bridge.

Thimphu is one of very few capitals in the world that lacks traffic lights.