DISCOVER BHUTAN
THE STATE
A landlocked country in South Asia, Bhutan, with its capital largest city as Thimpu, is regarded as one of the most isolated nations in the world and is a constitutional monarchy. As a tiny, remote, and impoverished country between two powerful neighbours, nestled in the eastern end of the Himalayas Mountains, bordered by India in the south, east and west and by China in the north, Bhutan is divided into 20 dzongkhags (districts), with further divisions into 205 gewogs (village blocks). Gewogs are in turn divided into numerous thromdes (municipalities) for administration.
NAME ETYMOLOGY
The word “Bhutan” translates to the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” It earned the nickname from the fierce storms that often roll in from the Himalayas Mountains.
Geography, Population, Time and Currency
LAND AREA
38,394
square kilometres
LOCAL TIME
six hours ahead of GMT
and 1/2 hour ahead of IST
( Indian standard time )
POPULATION
Approximately ( 2015 )
770,000
CURRENCY
( BTN ) Bhutan
Ngultrum
ALTITUDE
Highest Point
( Gangkhar Puesum )
7,570m
( 24,836ft )
ALTITUDE AND WEATHER
Generally, October, November and April to mid-June are the best times to visit Bhutan.
North of Bhutan bordering Tibet is a region perennially covered with snow. Western, Central and Eastern Bhutan mostly experience cold European-like weather, and winter lasts from November to March. Punakha is an exception as it is in a lower valley and summer is pretty hot but winter is pleasant. Southern Bhutan bordering India is hot and humid with a sub-tropical climate. Rainfall is at a minimum and temperatures are conducive to active days of sightseeing. There are four distinct seasons similar in the division to those of Western Europe.