Bhutan
- Population
- 716,896 (July 2012 estimate)
- Capital City
- Thimphu
- Value of NZ exports
- NZ$92,364 (year to Dec 2011)
- Language(s)
- Dzongkha; Tibetan and Nepalese dialects
The last Buddhist monarchy in the Himalayas is making a transition to constitutional monarchy: the first democratic parliamentary elections were held in 2008. Bhutan has jealously guarded its culture and environment through decades of isolation, from which it began to emerge in the 1970s. It formulates many policy decisions under a special treaty relationship with the Indian government.
Useful links on Bhutan
Bhutan profile on CIA World Factbook
Safetravel - New Zealand government advice on Bhutan
PBS website - resource on the people, culture and history of Bhutan
Media and news
New Zealand South Asia Centre (NZSAC)
NZSAC is designed to promote recognition and understanding of South Asian societies and cultures in New Zealand
ASIA:NZ resources on Bhutan
Media
Covering Asia: Bhutan - information and resources for journalists
Diversity reporting award goes to story on Bhutanese refugees in New Zealand
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