Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. Some of the structures provide evidence that the region has been settled as early as 2000 BC. According to a legend it was ruled by a Cooch-Behar king,Sangaldip,around the 7th century BC,but not much is known prior to the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century,when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century,the Drukpa Kagyupa school was established and remains the dominant form of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's political history is intimately tied to its religious history and relations among the various monastic schools and monasteries.
Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan,and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags,the Thimphu District. The ancient capital city of Punakha was replaced as capital by Thimphu in 1955,and in 1961 Thimphu was declared as the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan by the 3rd Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The Government of Bhutan has been a constitutional monarchy since 18 July 2008. The King of Bhutan is the head of state. The executive power is exercised by the Lhengye Zhungtshog,or council of ministers,headed by the Prime Minister. Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Parliament,both the upper house,National Council,and the lower house,National Assembly. A royal edict issued on April 22,2007,lifted the previous ban on political parties,ordering that they be created,in anticipation of National Assembly elections to be held the following year. In 2008,Bhutan adopted its first modern Constitution,codifying the institutions of government and the legal framework for a democratic multi-party system.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is a member of the House of Wangchuck who was the king of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son,Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck,in 2006.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was the 3rd Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.
Bhutan,officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan,is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas,located between China and India. "Druk Yul," or "land of the thunder dragon" as Bhutan is known,has been heavily influenced by Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism from the land immediately to its north. Nepal and Bangladesh are located in close proximity to Bhutan but do not share a land border. The country has a population of over 754,000 and a territory of 38,394 square kilometers (14,824 sq mi) which ranks 133rd in terms of land area,and 160th in population. Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with Vajrayana Buddhism as the state religion.
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is 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. A public coronation ceremony was held on 6 November 2008,a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.
The bilateral relations between the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of India have been traditionally close and both countries share a 'special relationship',making Bhutan a protected state,but not a protectorate,of India. India remains influential over Bhutan's foreign policy,defense and commerce. Bhutan is the largest beneficiary of India's foreign aid.
Deothang,also known as Dewathang,is a town in south-eastern Bhutan which falls under Samdrup Jongkhar District. In 2010 it became part of Samdrup Jongkhar municipality (thromde).
The Druk Gyalpo is the head of state of the Kingdom of Bhutan. In the Dzongkha language,Bhutan is known as Drukyul which translates as "The Land of the Thunder Dragon". Thus,while Kings of Bhutan are known as Druk Gyalpo,the Bhutanese people call themselves the Drukpa,meaning "people of Druk (Bhutan)".
Rice production in Bhutan plays an important role in food supply in Bhutan. It is cultivated largely for domestic consumption. In 2001 it was reported as little as 1% of rice grown in Bhutan as being marketed,but a farmers survey indicated that around 15% is indeed marketed.
Gongduk or Gongdu is an endangered Sino-Tibetan language spoken by about 1,000 people in a few inaccessible villages located near the Kuri Chhu river in the Gongdue Gewog of Mongar District in eastern Bhutan. The names of the villages are Bala,Dagsa,Damkhar,Pam,Pangthang,and Yangbari (Ethnologue).
The High Court of Bhutan derives its authority from the 2008 Constitution of Bhutan. It consists of the Chief Justice and eight Drangpons. The Chief Justice and Drangpons of the High Court are appointed from among juniors,peers,and eminent jurists by the Druk Gyalpo. The judges of the High Court serve 10 year terms,or until reaching age 60;this retirement age is unique among the Civil Service and Constitutional Offices of Bhutan —all others retire at age 65. During their tenure,they are subject to censure and suspension by the Druk Gyalpo on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission for proven misbehavior that does not rise to the level of impeachment.
Bhutan participated in the 15th Asian Games,officially known as the XV Asiad held in Doha from December 1 to December 15,2006. The athletes represented Bhutan in archery,taekwondo,and tennis in this edition of the Asiad.
Prince DashoUgyen Jigme Wangchuck is a member of the royal family of Bhutan and is the youngest of the sons of the fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck and his wife,Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck.
Hemlal Bhattrai is a Bhutanese international footballer who plays for Thimphu City in the Bhutan A-Division. He made his first appearance for the Bhutan national football team in 2013.
Leki Dukpa is a Bhutanese international footballer,who currently plays for Thimphu City. He made his first appearance for the Bhutan national football team in 2012.
Ugyen Dorji is a Bhutanese politician who has been a member of the National Assembly of Bhutan,since October 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Bhutan is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
