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Introduction: The Kingdom of Bhutan lies in the eastern Himalayas, between Tibet to the north, the Indian territories of Assam and West Bengal, to the south and east, and Sikkim to the west. The Kingdom has a total area of about 47,000 square kilometers, about the size of Switzerland. Located in the heart of the high Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is a land-locked country surrounded by mountains.

Official Name: Kingdom of Bhutan
Area: 47,000 sq km (18,147 sq miles)
Population: 2,139,500
Continent: Asia
Density per square mile: 118
Capital City: Thimphu
Religions: The official religion is Lamaism, which is a Tibetan form of Buddhism of the Mahayana branch. Most Bhotes are Lamaists and Lamaism accounts for around 75% of the population while the remaining 25% following a form of Buddhist influenced Hinduism.

Language: Dzongkha
Government: Monarchy

Currency: Ngultrum
GDP: $2.7 billion
GDP Per Head: $1,300

Natural Resources: Calcium Carbide, Gypsum, Hydro Power & Timber
Land Use: Arable Land 3%
Agriculture: Corn, Root Crops, Citrus Fruits, Grains, Rice & Dairy Products.
Industry: Cement, Wood Products, Processed Fruits, Alcoholic Drinks, Calcium Carbide

Tourism: Bhutan has three regions that are open to visitors. These three regions are distinctly different due to the prominent north, south mountain ranges that separate each area resulting in different topographical features. Western Bhutan is known for its stunning scenery with rice paddies and orchards cascading down magnificent mountains. Central Bhutan is known for its buckwheat and apple production, its sturdy stone houses, and its plethora of monasteries. Eastern Bhutan is known for its stunning hand-loomed textiles and the weavers are all masters of the supplementary weft-weave technique. Eastern Bhutan is the least travelled area of the country and is where many of the kingdom's most ancient spiritual sights are found.

Natural Hazards: Violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season.
Health Risks: Altitude sickness, diarrhoea, hepatitis A, malaria (lowland areas only)

Climate: The densely populated valleys of Bhutan have a temperate climate, while the country as a whole has three climatic zones. (1.) The Duars Plain has a subtropical climate characterized by high humidity and heavy rainfall. (2.) The central belt of flat valleys is characterized by cool winters and hot summers with moderate rainfall while (3.) the high valleys have cold winters and cool summers. Average annual precipitation varies from 1,020 to 1,520 mm (40 to 60 inches) and over 5,000 metres (16,400 feet) the land is permanently covered with snow and glaciers. Average temperature ranges in Thimphu are from 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit) in July.

Time: GMT/UTC +6 hours
National Days: December 17

Visas: There are no restrictions per say as to tourists being granted visas but to minimise the perceived threat to Bhutan's unique culture, the government has established a stringent set of rules, which means you must travel on a pre-arranged itinerary and pay US$165-200, depending on the time of year, a night for the privilege, all costs included. Apart from that, the process is relatively straightforward. All visa applications must be channelled through the Department of Tourism (DOT) from a selected tour operator. With notification of approval and receipt of full payment, visas are issued when you arrive in the country.