Bhutan History & Geography

History
Based on the records of stone implements Bhutan was probably first inhabited early around 1500 - 2000 BC.
Buddhism is outstandingly marked in the religious history of Bhutan. It was first introduced in the 7th century with the building of the first two Buddhist temples by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. One is in Bumthang ‘Jambay Lhakhang’ and the other is in Paro ‘Kichu Lhakhang’. The Buddhist faith became increasingly popular when Padmashmbhava or "Guru Rimpoche" brought the Tantric form of Buddhism into Bhutan in 747 AD.

Since the 12th century, many religious schools had spread widely throughout the Kingdom and from 13th century onwards the people have had more rapidly adopted Buddhism, but later there were conflicts among different religious schools. Moreover, from the 15th century when many clans and noble families started to rule the different regions of the country, quarrels frequently burst out among the rulers in different valleys. Besides these; many invasions by Tibet took place in 1634, 1639, 1645 & 1648.

The country had been seriously unstable politically and religiously until the 17th century when a religious leader Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel of Drukpa School fled from Tibet & took refuge here in Bhutan. He built most of the Dzongs (fortified monasteries) in Bhutan and also fought against enemies from abroad & inside the country. He then established himself as the religious ruler with the honorary title of Shabdrung (meaning: ‘at whose feet one submits’). Shabdrung died in 1651 but his political system continued till the beginning of 20th century. However, internal disputes, political conflicts and civil wars broke out after his death. In 1907, political stability was re-established in the country when Ugyen Wangchuk was elected to be the first king of Bhutan by the assembly of representatives of the monastic community, civil servants and the people, thereby hereditary monarchy was established under the Wangchuk Dynasty. The present king Jigme Singye Wangchuk is the fourth in line.

Geography
The ‘Land of Thunder Dragon’ or the kingdom of Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas and lies between Tibet in the north and northwest and India to its remaining borders. It is a landlocked and mountainous country. The Himalayan highland reaches the height over 7,300 meters. The total area of the kingdom is 47,000 square KM, which is as big as Switzerland. It is composed of three geographic regions: the high Himalayas of north with alpine climate with snow all the year round, the hills and valleys of central region with cool temperate climate and foothills and plains of south with hot & humid climate.