Bhutan – Interesting Facts

Bhutan is a landlocked country, approximately 300 km long and 150 km wide, with an overall size of 38,394 square kilometres. It is situated along the southern slopes of the Himalayan range, bounded by Tibet in the North, India from the other sides.

Interesting facts about Bhutan.

1. One of 43 landlocked countries in the world, Bhutan is about half the size of the state of Indiana.
2. Bhutan translates to “Edge of the Earth.”
3. Bhutan is the first country in the world with specific constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. Among its requirements: at least 60 percent of the nation must remain under forest cover at all times.
4. One-third of Bhutan’s population is under the age of 14; its median age is 23.4 years.
5. Thimpu is one of just two capital cities in Asia that does not have a single traffic light. The other is Pyongyang, North Korea.
6. Bhutan is the only nation in the world where the sale of tobacco is banned.
7. At 24,840 feet, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in Bhutan – and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
8. Anyone found guilty of killing a highly endangered and culturally sacred black-necked crane could be sentenced to life in prison.
9. Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television to its people. The government lifted a ban on TV – and on the Internet – only in 1999.
10. A Bhutanese is not allowed to wear pants while visiting government offices, and during official and religious functions.