|
|
« Back to continent profiles «
Bhutan
|
|
|
Area Coverage |
Population |
| Total: 47,000 sq km |
2,232,291 (July 2005 est.) |
| Land: 47,000 sq km |
| Water: 0 sq km |
| |
|
Religions |
Languages spoken |
|
Hinduism 25% |
Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects and Nepalese dialects. |
| Lamaistic Buddhist 75% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
Type of Government |
|
Thimphu |
Monarchy |
| |
|
|
Brief History |
| Little is known of Bhutan's early history. Archaeological evidence suggests that people may have lived in the area as early as 2000 bc. The state of Monyul is thought to have existed here between 500 bc and 600 ad. The people of Monyul practiced a shamanistic religion that emphasized the worship of nature and the existence of good and evil spirits. Buddhism was introduced into the area in the 7th century, and Buddhist chronicles provide a recorded history of Bhutan. Buddhist temples were built in Bumtang and Paro valleys. At this time there was no central government in the country; separate valleys were ruled by feudal lords. As Buddhism matured within Bhutan, it became a unifying element for the country.
By the 10th century, the monks of the Kargyupa sect of Mahayana Buddhism began to build dzongs (fortified monasteries) in the valleys of Bhutan. The Drukpa subsect of the Kargyupa sect spread through Bhutan and became a dominant religion. In 1616 the theocratic government of Bhutan was founded by a Drukpa monk, Ngawang Namgyal. After a series of victories over rival subsect leaders, Ngawang Namgyal became the leader of Bhutan. He was the first leader to unite the powerful Bhutanese families into one country. During Ngawang Namgyal's rule, the administration of Bhutan developed a dual system of government including two leaders: a spiritual leader entitled dharma raja and a civil government leader entitled deb raja. The seat of the government was at Thimphu; the winter capital was at Punakha. This system of dual administration for spiritual and civil matters continued until 1907.
read more >> |
Bhutan
|
|
Disclaimer: All information provided on this page is provided by our students.We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. We are just trying to provide the best information as possible. All content subject to change.
2004 International Club. All music content courtesy of national-anthems.net
Country facts by CIA fact book and Encarta,
|
|
|
|
