Bhutan lies on the eastern Himalayas bordered by China in the North and surrounded by the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the East, Sikkim in the West, Assam and West Bengal in the South. The total land coverage of the country is 38,394 sq km. The country is inhabited by approximately 750,000 people. Thimphu, the capital city, is located in Western part of the country. One Seventh of the population lives in the capital city.
From Phuntsholing, southernmost part of the country, the altitude rises from 150 meters / 492 feet above sea level to the highest peak of Bhutan mountain Gangkhar Puensum at 7,570 meters / 24,840 feet. In between this wide range of altitude Bhutan is blessed with a diverse environment, The Royal Government has done very well in preserving nature and in caring for wildlife. Hundreds of rare and endangered species are found in Bhutan. 70 % of the total land is covered by forest which gives animals and plants an ideal habitat to grow and develop.
Buddhism is the state religion, it embraces a way of life that is serene and untouched by worldly strife. Bhutan is adorned with over thousands of ancient temples and Buddhist stupas spread in every corner of the country. The unique cultural heritage of the Bhutanese is expressed through annual Festivals known as Tshechu held inside the monasteries and Dzongs in every part of the country. It is the way of passing on the rich cultural heritage and ancient stories to the next generations.
Bhutan remained cut off from the rest of the world until the early 1960’s. Entering the country was difficult as it was only accessible by foot from the North and the South. The Northern route was through Tibet, crossing high mountain passes that were inaccessible in winters. The second entry route from the South came through the plains of Assam and West Bengal. The high, frozen passes in the North and the dense jungles in the South made it extremely difficult to enter the country.
However, economic development has made the country much more accessible and there are now a network of roads entering into Bhutan from the South, as well as an International Airport in the western region, in Paro and three domestic airports spread in the country.