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Bhutan
Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia, in the Eastern Himalayas between China to the north and northwest and India to the south and southeast. With a population of over 727,145 and a territory of , Bhutan ranks List of countries and dependencies by area, 133rd in land area and List of countries and dependencies by population, 160th in population. Bhutan is a Democracy, democratic constitutional monarchy with a King of Bhutan, King as the head of state and a Prime Minister of Bhutan, prime minister as the head of government. The Je Khenpo is the head of the state religion, Vajrayana Buddhism. The Himalayas, Himalayan mountains in the north rise from the country's lush subtropical plains in the south. In the Mountains of Bhutan, Bhutanese Himalayas, there are peaks higher than above sea level. Gangkhar Puensum is Bhutan's highest peak and is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The wildlife of Bhutan is notable for its diversi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thimphu
Thimphu (; ) is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan, and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's '' dzongkhags'', the Thimphu District. The ancient capital city of Punakha was replaced by Thimphu as the capital in 1955, and in 1961 Thimphu was officially declared the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan by the 3rd Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The city extends in a north–south direction on the west bank of the valley formed by the Wang Chhu, which flows out into India as the Raidāk River. Thimphu is the sixth highest capital in the world by altitude, ranging from to . Unlike many capitals, Thimphu does not have its own airport, instead relying on the Paro Airport, accessible by road away. Thimphu, as the political and economic center of Bhutan, has a dominant agriculture and livestock base, contributing to about 45% of the country's GNP. Tourism, though a contributor to the economy, is strictly regulated, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Constitution Of Bhutan
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་གི་རྩ་ཁྲིམས་ཆེན་མོ་; Wylie transliteration, Wylie:'' 'Druk-gi tsa-thrims-chen-mo'') was enacted 18 July 2008 by the Politics of Bhutan, Royal Government of Bhutan. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratization, democratic Bhutanese democracy, reforms in Bhutan. The current Constitution is based on Buddhist philosophy, international International human rights instruments, Conventions on Human Rights, comparative analysis of 20 other modern constitutions, public opinion, and existing laws, authorities, and precedents. According to Sonam Dechen Wangchuck, Princess Sonam Wangchuck, the constitutional committee was particularly influenced by the Constitution of South Africa because of its strong protection of human rights. Background On 4 September 2001, Druk Gyalpo, King Ji ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
History Of Bhutan
Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. Some of the structures provide evidence that the region has been settled as early as 2000 BC. According to a legend it was ruled by a Cooch-Behar king, Sangaldip, around the 7th century BC, but not much is known prior to the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 8th century, when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century, the Drukpa Kagyupa school was established and remains the dominant form of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's political history is intimately tied to its religious history and relations among the various monastic schools and monasteries."Background Note: Bhutan" . U.S. Department of Stat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhutan–India Relations
The bilateral relations between the Himalayas, Himalayan Bhutan, Kingdom of Bhutan and the India, Republic of India have been traditionally close and both countries share a "special relationship (international relations), special relationship", making Bhutan a Protectorate#Protected state, protected state, but not a protectorate, of India. India remains influential over Bhutan's foreign policy, defence and commerce. Bhutan is the largest beneficiary of India's foreign aid. Country comparison Background Following the Chinese expedition to Tibet (1910), Chinese expedition to Tibet in 1910, Bhutan became a protectorate, protected state of British Raj, British India, signing a Treaty of Punakha, treaty allowing the British Raj in India to "guide" its foreign affairs and defence. Bhutan was one of the first to recognize India's independence in 1947 and both nations fostered close relations, signing a Standstill agreement (India), standstill agreement to maintain the existing rel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Parliament Of Bhutan
The Parliament of Bhutan ( ''gyelyong tshokhang'') consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament. Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly. Constitution: Art. 11; Art. 12 The current parliamentary framework replaced the unicameral Tshogdu in 2007, with the first members taking seats in 2008. Composition of Parliament The National Council of Bhutan is the upper house, or house of review in the bicameral legislature. It consists of 25 members: one directly elected from each of the 20 dzongkhags (districts) and 5 appointed by the King under election laws. The National Council meets at least twice a year. The membership elects a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson from its number. Members and candidates of the National Council are prohibited from holding political party affiliation. Constitution: Art. 11 The National Assembly of Bhutan is t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (born 21 February 1980) is the fifth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan. His reign began in 2006 after his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne. A public coronation ceremony was held on 6 November 2008, a year that marked 100 years of House of Wangchuck, monarchy in Bhutan. Early life and education Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was born on 21 February 1980 at Kathmandu (maternity Hospital). He is the eldest son of the fourth King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his third wife, Queen ''Ashi'' Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister, Princess ''Ashi'' Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck, Dechen Yangzom, and brother, Prince ''Gyaltshab'' Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (born 1986), Jigme Dorji, as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers. After completing his higher secondary studies at Yangchenphug High School, he was educated in the United States at Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
King Of Bhutan
The King of Bhutan, officially the Druk Gyalpo (; ), is the constitutional monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Bhutan. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan is known as ''Drukyul'' which translates as "The Land of the Thunder Dragon". Thus, while kings of Bhutan are known as ''Druk Gyalpo'' ("Dragon King"), the Bhutanese people call themselves the ''Drukpa'', meaning "people of Druk (Bhutan)". The current sovereign of Bhutan is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth ''Druk Gyalpo''. He wears the Raven Crown, which is the official crown worn by the kings of Bhutan. He is correctly styled "''Mi'wang 'Ngada Rinpoche''" ("His Majesty") and addressed "''Ngada Rimboche''" ("Your Majesty"). King Jigme Khesar was the youngest reigning monarch in the world, being 26 years old when he ascended the throne on 9 December 2006 after his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, abdicated the throne in his favour. He was 28 years old when he was crowned on 6 November 2008. Duties and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Assembly (Bhutan)
The National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Bhutan, and it's responsible for enacting laws, representing the people, and overseeing the government. It consists of 47 members elected from 47 constituencies across the road country. Under the 2008 Constitution, Article 12, section 1, the National Assembly consists of a maximum of 55 members directly elected by the citizens of constituencies within each '' Dzongkhag'' (District). Under this single-winner voting system, each constituency is represented by a single National Assembly member; each of the 20 ''Dzongkhags'' must be represented by between 2–7 members. Constituencies are reapportioned every 10 years (Art. 12, § 2). The National Assembly meets at least twice a year (Art. 12, § 5), and elects a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its members (Art. 12, § 3). Members and candidates are allowed to hold political party affiliation. The 2013 National Assembly election resulted in large incre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wangchuck Dynasty
The Wangchuck dynasty () have held the hereditary position of Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King") of Bhutan since 1907. Prior to reunification, the Wangchuck family had governed the district of Trongsa as descendants of Dungkar Choji. They eventually overpowered other regional lords and earned the favour of the British Empire. After consolidating power, the 12th Penlop of Trongsa ''Gongsar'' Ugyen Wangchuck was elected Druk Gyalpo, thus founding the dynasty. The position of Druk Gyalpo – who heads the royal family of Bhutan – is more commonly known in English as the King of Bhutan, however "Druk Gyalpo" would be translated literally as "Dragon King" (or less commonly, "King of the Dragons", or "Thunder Dragon King") The Wangchuck dynasty ruled government power in Bhutan and established relations with the British Empire and India under its first two monarchs. The third, fourth, and fifth (current) monarchs have put the kingdom on its path toward democratization, decentralization, a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tshering Tobgay
Tshering Tobgay (; born 19 September 1965) is a Bhutanese politician who is the seventh List of Prime Ministers of Bhutan, prime minister of Bhutan since 2024 and also served in office from 2013 to 2018. Tobgay is the leader of the People's Democratic Party (Bhutan), People's Democratic Party, and was also the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (Bhutan), National Assembly from March 2008 to April 2013. Early life and education Tobgay was born in Kalimpong, Kalimpong, India. Tobgay was born into a family of six brothers. Both of his parents helped develop the country of Bhutan. Tobgay's father was one of the first soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army, while his mother participated in the construction of the first road connecting Bhutan to India. Tobgay attended secondary schooling at the Dr. Graham's Homes School in Kalimpong, India, in the eastern Himalayas. In 1990, Tobgay received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh's Sw ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhutanese Ngultrum
The ngultrum ( or ; , , ; symbol: Nu., code: BTN) is the currency of the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is subdivided into 100 chhertum (, , ; spelled as ''chetrums'' on coins until 1979). The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, the central bank of Bhutan, is the minting authority of the ngultrum banknotes and coins. The ngultrum is currently pegged to the Indian rupee at parity. History Until 1789, the coins of the Cooch Behar mint circulated in Bhutan. Following this, Bhutan began issuing its own coins known as ''chetrum'', mostly silver rupees. Hammered silver and copper coins were the only types issued until 1929, when modern style silver rupee coins were introduced, followed by bronze 1 paisa in 1931 (dated 1928). Nickel rupee coins were introduced in 1950. While the Cooch Behar mint coins circulated alongside Bhutan's own coins, decimalization was introduced in 1957, when Bhutan's first issue of coins denominated in naya paisa. The 1966 issues were 25 naya paisa, 50 naya ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Religion In Bhutan
Bhutan is a Buddhist country culturally, socially, politically, and constitutionally, and Buddhism plays a vital role in the cultural and spiritual heritage of the nation. The official religion in Bhutan is Buddhism, which is practiced by 74.7% of the population. Hinduism is followed by 22.6% of the Population. The freedom of religion is guaranteed by the King. In the past, approximately 75% of the population of 770,000 followed either the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school, the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism or another school of Buddhism. Almost 22% of citizens (mainly Lhotshampas) practiced Hinduism.Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project: Bhutan |
