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The landlocked country of Bhutan is
located on the southern slopes of Himalayas, bordered by
the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Region
Republic of China to the nor the and by the India to the
east, south and west. Bhutan Mountain range divides the
eastern valleys from foothills. The Black Mountain range
divides the eastern valleys from those of the
west. |
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In 1907 the hereditary monarchs of the
Wangchuck dynasty established their dominance over the
political structure of Bhutan. The current Druk Gyalpo,
or King, is Jigme Singye Wangchuk who held power since
1972.
Bhutan joined the United Nations in
1971 only. Bhutan has traditionally had closed ties with
India and by a 1949 treaty agrees to be "guided by the
advice of the Government of India in regard to its
external relations". |
Ethnicity:
The three main ethnic groups live
geographically separated with the dominant political
group the Ngalong in the west, the Sarchops in the east
and the southern Bhutanese of Nepali origin (also known
as Lhotshampas) in the south. The Sarchops
dominate the eastern areas namely : Mongar,
Tashigang, Bumthang, Mangde, Kheng, Kurtoe, Dungsum and
Yangtse. Northern regions of Bhutan are inhabited
largely by Brokpas and Bjops. They are
predominant in the regions of Merek and Sakten and in
the northern regions of Bumthang, Lunganak, Gasa,
Lingshi, Paro and Haa. Ngalongs come from the
western region of Bhutan, which include (Wangdi),
Punakha, Dagana, Thimphu, Chukha, Paro, Haa and Gasa.
Lhotshampas are of Nepali origin and live in the
south, primarily in the districts of Chukha, Dagana and
Samdrup Jonkhar districts. There are other smaller
ethnic groups like the Santhals, Rajbansis, Doyas
etc.
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