Bhutan

Capital: Thimphu

Continent: Asia

Population: 771,608 thousand

King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Prime minister: Lotay Tshering

 People/Population
Population: 771,608 thousand

Currency: Ngultrum

Bhutanese women constitute 49.5 percent of the

country's total population. The Bhutanese
people are good –natured, friendly
and hospitable people. Bhutanese people
are a broadly divided into three broad
subgroups. There are Ngalongs from the
west, Scharchops from the east and the Lhotsampas.
 Physical Features/Landscape
Highest mountain range: Himalayas

Longest river: Torsa River

Bhutan is a country of south-central Asia,

located on the eastern ridges of the Himalayas.
Gangkhar Puensum Bhutan’s highest peak and may
also be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
Bhutan is a landlocked country surrounded by mountains.
 National Sports
Archery in Bhutan’s national sport
of the Kingdom. Archery was declared the
national sport in 1971, when Bhutan became
a member of the United Nations.
Competitions are held regularly in most villages.
Other traditional Bhutanese sports include khuru,
soksom, pundo, and digor.
 Culture and Education
The schooling begins with preschool (at age four) for one year,
followed by five years of primary school, three years of junior
high (grades six through eight), and then three years of high
school (grades nine through eleven).
Bhutan's culture is strongly based on its Tibetan form of
Mahayana Buddhism, which contains a sprinkling of Tibet's
ancient Bon shamanist religion.
Bhutan wedding ceremony includes many religious rites performed
by Buddhist monks and lama. The religious rites that includes
Lhabsang, Offering of butter lamps, Thrisor, Tsepamey Choko,
Dhar Naynga, mask dances and folk songs and dances. We can
also include the exchange of rings between bride and
bridegroom.
 Traditional Food
Ema Datshi – (chilies and cheese)

Jasha Maroo or Maru – (spicy chicken)

Phaksha Paa – (Pork with Red Chilies)

Momos – (Dumplings)

Red Rice

Drink Specialties
 Government
The Government of Bhutan has been a constitutional
monarchy since 18 July 2008. The King of Bhutan is the head
of state. The executive power is exercised by the Lhengye
Zhungtshog, or council of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.
The government is a parliamentary democracy; the head of state is
the King of Bhutan, known as the "Dragon King.“
 Industry and climate
The economy of Bhutan, one of the world's smallest, which provide
the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population and least
developed countries, is based on agriculture and forestry.
Main industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic
beverages, calcium carbide, tourism.
In Southern Bhutan, the climate is tropical in the monsoon season
and may range from 15 degree Celsius in winter to 30 degree Celsius
in summer. ... The centre enjoys sub-tropical climate with very cool
winters while the northern parts of the country have harsh climate
including snowfall two to three times every winter.
 Famous People
Jigme Singye Wangchuck: King of Bhutan

Jetsun Pema: Queen of Bhutan

Onir: Indian film director, editor, writer and producer

Kelly Dorji: Bhutanese actor and model based in Mumbai, India

Tshering Tobgay: Bhutanese politician who has been Prime Minister

of Bhutan since 2013

Tshering Tobgay: Bhutanese monk and musician

 History
Bhutan's independence has endured for
centuries. It has never been colonized in its
history. Situated on the ancient Silk Road between
Tibet, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia,
the Bhutanese state developed a distinct national
identity based on Buddhism. The 4th King of Bhutan – His Majesty
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, was one of the greatest King in the history
of Bhutan. On 6th November 2008, Bhutan saw a new coronation
ceremony of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel with Raven
Crown adorned to him in Thimphu. Since then, he has been known
as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
 Quick Facts
Bhutan is the world's only carbon sink, that is; it absorbs more CO2
than it gives out. It sells hydro-electrical power, making it the only
country whose largest export is renewable energy. 72% of the
country is forested. In fact, it's in the country's constitution to keep
60% of its land forested.
Dzongka is the official language.
The “takin,” a goat-antelope, is Bhutan’s national animal.
All citizens officially become one year older on New Year’s Day. This
way, no one forgets anyone’s birthday!
Plastic bags have been banned in Bhutan since 1999.
Agriculture is its major industry with rice, fruit and dairy industry
(yaks).
The first foreign tourists were allowed into Bhutan in 1974.
 Links with Ireland
Not similar: In Bhutan, the average life expectancy is 71 years (70
years for men, 72 years for women). In Ireland, that number is 81
years (79 years for men, 83 years for women).
In Bhutan, approximately 41.8% of the population has internet
access. In Ireland, about 82.2% do.
In Ireland, 25.3% of adults are obese. In Bhutan, that number is 6.4%
of people.
Ireland spends 7.8% of its total GDP on healthcare. In Bhutan, that
number is 3.6% of GDP.
Similar: Ireland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Bhutan.
 Quiz Time
What’s the capital of Bhutan?
What’s Bhutan's currency?
What’s Bhutan’s highest peak?
In what year was archery declared the national sport?
At what age does preschool start?
Name three traditional food in Bhutan?
Who rules Bhutan?
Who is the prime minister?
Name two main industries in Bhutan?
Name two famous people of Bhutan?
What happened on the 6th November 2008?
What’s Bhutan’s national animal?
How much percent of population in Bhutan has internet access?
 Quiz Answers
Thimpu
Ngultrum
Gangkhar Puensum
1971
At the age of four
Ema Datshi, Jasha Maroo or Maru, Phaksha Paa, Momos, Red Rice, Drink Specialties.
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Lotay Tshering
Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Jetsun Pema, Onir, Kelly Dorji, Tshering Tobgay, Tshering Tobgay.
On the 6th of November 2008, Bhutan saw a new coronation ceremony of His Majesty the King
Jigme Khesar Namgyel.
Takin
41.8%