Source: MAPS IN MINUTES™ © RH Publications (1997)

A small country in south Asia, lying in the Himalayas between China in the north and India in the south.

Physical

The northern part of Bhutan is entirely mountainous with spectacular peaks rising to 7300 m (nearly 24,000 feet). Deep valleys with fast-flowing rivers lead to warmer and lower land in the south, which is forested and offers soil for cultivation.

Economy

Tourism is significant in a largely agricultural economy with some light industry. Only about 9% of Bhutan’s territory is cultivated; the chief crops are rice, maize, and fruit. Principal exports are electricity and metals. India, the major export destination, provides an annual subsidy.

History

Bhutan existed as a political unit by the end of the 17th century. The country is referred to in earlier monastic texts, but its early history is not clear. The first rulers of Bhutan were religious and political leaders, but the functions were later divided between a spiritual leader, the Dharma Raja, and an administrator, the Deb Raja. The Deb Raja was in theory elected by the regional governors, but in practice the strongest governor claimed the position. During the 19th century there were frequent wars between rival governors. The Dharma Raja was succeeded by a person traditionally regarded as a reincarnation of him. The office ceased to exist in the early 20th century when no reincarnation of the last Dharma Raja could be agreed. In 1907 a powerful regional governor was elected as the first hereditary maharaja, or king, who is called the Druk Gyalpo. His great-grandson Jigme Singye Wangchuk became king in 1972.

In 1774 Bhutan and the East India Company signed a treaty of cooperation. This was replaced in 1865 by a treaty with Britain, which allowed Britain to supervise Bhutan’s external affairs. This role was transferred to British India in 1910, and to the newly independent Indian government in 1949. During the 1950s and 1960s the king liberalized Bhutanese customs, abolishing slavery and the caste system and improving the status of women. He established a National Assembly in 1953 and a Council of Ministers in 1968; however, political parties remain illegal. The country has received large numbers of Tibetan refugees and Nepalese immigrants. In 1990 ethnic conflict broke out in southern Bhutan, with many Nepalese demanding greater recognition and protesting against government measures aimed at preserving Bhutanese culture and language. Thousands of refugees fled to Nepal, and their right to return is an unresolved issue. In 1998 King Jigme Singye Wangchuk devolved much executive authority to the Council of Ministers, and a fully democratic constitution was implemented between 2005 and 2008. Jigme Singye Wangchuk abdicated in 2006 in favour of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The first-ever election for the 47-member lower house of parliament in 2008 was won by the pro-monarchy Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (Bhutan Harmony) party, which won 44 seats. Jigme Thinley became prime minister and used the concept of gross national happiness as a guide to successful government. His party lost the 2013 elections to the People’s Democratic Party, led by Tshering Tobgay, who was more focused on Bhutan’s debt and social problems, as well as improving relations with India.