Bhutan

Asia

Southern Asia, between China and India.

27 30 N, 90 30 E

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck	Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley

Capital
Thimphu

Government
Constitutional democratic monarchy

Religion
Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%.

Population
699,847

Ethnic group
Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%.

National Language                     
Dzongkha
            
National Day
17 December 1907(Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king)

Anthem
Druk Tsendhen

Currency
Ngultrum (BTN)

Attractions
Bhutan Mountain Treks, Punakha Dzong, Taktsang Monestary, Trongsa Dzong 

Website 

Art & Cultural

The ICON

Trongsa Dzong Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan, located in Trongsa (formerly Tongsa) in Trongsa district, in the centre of the country. Built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River, a temple was first established at the location in 1543 by the Drukpa lama, Ngagi Wangchuk son of Ngawang Chhojey. In 1647, his great-grandson Shabdrung Ngawang Namgya (Shabdrung or Zhabdrung being his title), constructed the first dzong to replace it, called Chökhor Rabtentse Dzong with a shorter version of Choetse Dzong. It was enlarged several times during the 18th century; the Chenrezig Lhakang was built in 1715 and a whole complex, including the Maitreya (Jampa) temple, was added in 1771. The dzong has since been repaired on several occasions; it was damaged during the 1897 Assam earthquake and underwent extensive renovation in 1927 and 1999.