• Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia located in the Eastern Himalayas.
• Borders: China to the north and northwest; India to the south and southeast.
• Population: Over 800,000; Area: 38,394 square kilometers.
• Government: Democratic constitutional monarchy; King as head of state, Prime Minister as head of government.
• Main religion: Vajrayana Buddhism, with the Je Khenpo as its head.
• Geography: Features Himalayan mountains with peaks over 7,000 meters; Gangkhar Puensum is the highest peak and the highest unclimbed mountain.
• Wildlife: Notable diversity, including Himalayan takin and golden langur; capital city Thimphu houses about 15% of the population.
• Historical context: Buddhism spread from South Asia, particularly the Vajrayana school from Bengal; unified by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 16th century.
• Colonial history: Protectorate of the British Empire; maintained sovereignty while ceding territories during the Duar War.
• Modern treaties: Treaty of Punakha (1910) ensured British advice in exchange for autonomy; 1949 treaty recognized mutual sovereignty with India.
• Joined the United Nations in 1971; maintains relations with 56 countries; relies on Indian military support but has its own military units.
• 2008 Constitution established a parliamentary government.
• Memberships: SAARC, Climate Vulnerable Forum, Non-Aligned Movement, BIMSTEC, IMF, World Bank, UNESCO, and WHO.
• Economic and social rankings: First in SAARC for economic freedom and ease of doing business; ranked third in South Asia for Human Development Index (2020); 21st on the Global Peace Index (2024).
• Environmental concerns: Home to significant hydropower resources but faces issues from melting glaciers due to climate change.

List of Popular Newspapers published in Bhutan.