Bhutan

Bhutan is a tiny kingdom in the Himalaya Mountains between China and India. It is often called the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Bhutan is special because it measures how happy its people are instead of how rich they are.

Land and People

Only about 780,000 people live in Bhutan. The capital is Thimphu. The country is very mountainous with thick forests and deep valleys. Bhutan has strict rules to protect its nature and over 70 percent of the land is covered in forest.

Culture and Fun Facts

Bhutan measures Gross National Happiness instead of just money. Archery is the national sport. People wear traditional robes called gho for men and kira for women. Television and the internet only arrived in Bhutan in 1999. Spicy cheese and chili is the national dish.

Fun Facts

• Bhutan is the only country that measures Gross National Happiness.
• Television did not come to Bhutan until 1999.
• Bhutan is carbon negative, meaning its forests absorb more carbon than the country produces.

Did You Know?

Bhutan is the only country in the world that is carbon negative. Its forests absorb more carbon dioxide than the country puts out. By law, at least 60 percent of the land must always be covered in forest. Bhutan takes protecting the environment very seriously.