Can you easily find Bhutan on the world map? This tiny country is lost among the mighty mountains, squeezed between two giants – China and Asia. The uniqueness of Bhutan lies in the fact that the traditional way of life, ancient traditions and much more have been preserved here. All this makes this country truly unique. The only pity is that it is not so easy to visit it… However, it may be for the best.
Facts about Bhutan
- The wearing of only traditional clothes is enshrined in the law here.
- In order to isolate themselves from the influence of other cultures on the culture of Bhutan, television and the Internet were banned here until 1999.
- The dead in this country are not buried or cremated – their bodies are left to be eaten by wild animals and birds.
- The population of Bhutan is 770 thousand people.
- You can’t buy tobacco here. Smoking in the Kingdom of Bhutan is strictly prohibited. Tourists are allowed to bring tobacco products with them, but they will have to pay a separate fee.
- The Bhutanese capital, Thimphu, lies at an altitude of almost 2.5 kilometers above sea level. This is one of the highest mountain capitals in the world.
- Bhutanese unmistakably determine their social status by the color of the interlocutor’s clothes.
- The inheritance in Bhutan usually goes not to the eldest son, as in most other countries, but to the eldest daughters.
- The crime rate here tends to zero. Theft, robbery – all this is practically absent.
- Bhutan has a ban on all religions except Buddhism.
- Also, the law prohibits local residents from marrying foreigners.
- Medicine and education in Bhutan are free.
- Despite the general poverty, homeless vagrants are not found in this country during the day with fire.
- The local language, Dzongkha, has no written forms, so the locals use the related Tibetan to write.
- The 28-year-old king of Bhutan, who ascended the throne in 2008, became the youngest monarch in the world.
- There is not a single traffic light in all of Bhutan. A few road signs are made and painted by hand.
- Most of the locals are vegetarians, as religion forbids them to kill animals for food.
- There is no imported rice in Bhutan, but the local one is red color, quite hard. Only this variety of rice can grow at a significant altitude (interesting facts about rice).
- Unlike most other countries in Asia, dairy products are widespread here.
- Bhutanese love to drink tea, but they do it in a very original way, adding pepper, salt and oil to it.
- Cranes are considered sacred animals in Bhutan, and for killing this bird, the culprit faces a life sentence in prison.
- The government annually plants many trees on the mountain slopes, contributing to the greening of the country. Deforestation is strictly prohibited (interesting facts about trees).
- Chemical fertilizers are also prohibited here, so all Bhutanese products are considered organic.
- Mountain climbing is also prohibited in Bhutan.
- There is only one airline in the whole country. Flights by foreign air carriers are also prohibited. Yes, there are many prohibitions.
- Prices for air tickets, hotel rooms and the rest of the tourist infrastructure in Bhutan are controlled by the government. Rest here is not cheap, a foreigner needs at least 200-250 dollars for a day.
- It is impossible to get to Bhutan without a special invitation, which can be issued by a Bhutanese tour operator. Independent travel to this country is not possible.