Bhutan has a flag featuring a thunder dragon that was adopted in 1965. The flag's colors represent spiritual and royal authority. Bhutan, which means "land of thunder dragons", became a democracy in 2008 after its first elections. The capital Thimphu and Paro valley town are notable locations, with the latter hosting a famous Tiger's Nest monastery. Bhutan uses its own currency, the Ngultrum, and the Dzongkha language written in the Tibetan alphabet is the country's official language. Traditional dress includes the knee-length Gho robe for men and ankle-length Kira sari for women. Bhutan is notable for its bans on tobacco and traffic lights, as well as protecting the environment being

1. World Facts
BHUTAN

2. • The Bhutan flag was
officially adopted in
1965.
• The flag features the
Thunder Dragon, the
country's emblem.
• Yellow symbolizes
the authority of the
king,
white represents
purity and loyalty,
• while orange is
symbolic of the
Drukpa monasteries.
The two background colours of the flag, divided diagonally, are associated with the
spiritual and temporal power: the lower portion, orangey-red, for royal authority
and the upper one, orangey-yellow, for Buddhist spiritual authority.
THE FLAG

3. Meaning of BHUTAN “LAND OF THUNDER DRAGON”
Bhutan means “The Land of Thunder Dragons” because of the violent and large thunderstorms that whip down
through the valleys from the Himalayas. The contrast in temperature from the Indian plains and the high mountains of
the Himalayas also creates dramatic cloud-scapes that can be seen as you drive over the high mountain passes.

4. Bhutan became a democracy in 2008
after the first democratic elections
were held in the country. The King of
Bhutan is the Head of State.

7. Thimpu is one of just two capital cities in
Asia that does not have a single traffic
light. (The other is Pyongyang, North
Korea.) There was such public outcry when
local officials installed a single signal that it
was quickly removed, and a traffic officer
was re-assigned to the intersection.
Paro is a valley
town in Bhutan,
west of the capital,
Thimphu. It is the
site of the
country’s only
international
airport and is also
known for the
many sacred sites
in the area. North
of town, the
Taktsang Palphug
(Tiger’s Nest)
monastery clings
to cliffs above the
forested Paro
Valley.

8. Ngultrum is the locally and
officially accepted currency of
Bhutan. It is used for all
economic trades at a
professional level and a local
level, as well. The currency code
is BTN and the symbol is Nu.
1 Bhutan currency equals 0.014 United States Dollar

11. Dzongkha, or Bhutanese is spoken by over half a million
people in Bhutan; it is the sole official and national
language of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Tibetan
alphabet is used to write Dzongkha.
The word dzongkha means
"the language of the palace";
dzong means "palace"
and kha is language.

12. Men were required to wear a Gho, a knee-
length robe tied at the waist, and women a Kira,
an ankle-length sari-like garment accompanied
by a light jacket known as a Tego.
TRADITIONAL DRESS CODE

13. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the
Druk Gyalpo or "Dragon King" of the
Kingdom of Bhutan. After his father Jigme
Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne in
his favour, he became the monarch on 9
December 2006. Jetsun Pema is the queen
consort of Bhutan.
ROYAL FAMILY IN BHUTAN

14. NO SMOKING
Bhutan is the only nation in the
world where the sale of tobacco is
banned since 2004.
NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Bhutan does not have one single
traffic light! A policeman is
directing traffic in the capital city.

15. INTERESTING PLACES in BHUTAN

16. This famous monastery in the Himalayas is known also as the 'Tiger's Nest'. This is a sacred Buddhist
temple complex. The cliffside monastery consists of four temples and eight caves.
Paro
Taktsang

17. Gangkhar Puensum
At 24,840 feet, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in Bhutan—and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

18. 54 m/177 ft. high and is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. It sits on top of a hill overlooking the
Thimphu valley. The statue is made of bronze and gold.
Buddha Dordenma

19. This mountain pass to the north of Thimphu is located at 3,100 m/10,200ft. On this pass, 108 chortens (memorial
temples) were built to commemorate Bhutanese soldiers who died in 2003. The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple was
finished in 2008. It was built to celebrate 100 years of the kingdom of Bhutan.
Dochula Pass

20. Also referred to as 'Palace of Great Happiness', this fortress in Punakha was constructed in 1637. It is
known for its impressive paintings and woodcarvings. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955.
Punakha Dzong

21. NATIONAL SPORT
ARCHERY

22. ENVIRONMENTALISTS: Bhutan is one of the only countries in the world where citizens
have a constitutional obligation to preserve and protect the environment.

23. Bhutanese manners dictate that you are to refuse food whenever it’s offered
to you. The tradition is to say the words “meshu meshu” and cover your mouth
with your hands. You can give in, though, after two or three offers.

24. 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 11 years ago

25. FOOD IN
BHUTAN
The traditional diet in
Bhutan includes rice,
vegetables and dairy
products as well as meats
such as chicken, pork and
beef.
Bhutanese dishes can be
very spicy, as many dishes
include green or red chilies.
Sweet milk tea is very
popular.
(Above) Ema Datshi: This is
considered the national dish of
Bhutan. It is very spicy as it consists
cheese and lots of chilis. Rice is
usually eaten with this dish.
Red rice: This nutritious rice variety
looks pink when cooked and is
used in many dishes.
(Left) Momos: These Bhutanese
dumplings are filled with minced
meat, cheese and cabbage.

26. BHUTAN is home to the takins. The takin is also
referred to as gnu goat. Takin have short legs, a long
nose, horns and a brown shaggy coat.
BHUTAN is also home to antelopes, snow leopards,
blue sheep and red pandas. Elephants, water buffalos
and deer can be spotted in the tropical forests in the
country's south, while wild pigs, musk deer and
marmots are common in the higher lying areas.

27. BHUTAN: A LAND OF HAPPINESS

28. Bhutan's government includes a Ministry of Happiness. Wellbeing and happiness of the Bhutanese
citizen are said to be amongst the main aims of the Bhutanese government. Regular surveys are
conducted in Bhutan to measure the happiness of the people.

29. Bhutan is reputed for pioneering a concept, known as Gross National Happiness, that
places people (and not material wealth) at the center of its developmental values.