Bhutan is located beneath the Himalayas, the land is infertile, the mine is not much and the income of its citizens is not high, but it is one of the happiest countries in the world.
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The kingdom of Bhutan, which lies beneath the Himalayas between China and India, in 1865 became British protectorate and 1949 was transferred to India. The name of the Bhutanese state in the local language is: Druk Yul, which means Tanah Gaga Dragon, his national anthem is Drukyle (Dragon Thunder Kingdom). The meaning of Bhutan in Sanskrit is "Plateau next to Tibet", Tibetan Buddhism (Tantrayana) influences the beliefs and lifestyles of local people.
In this case it can be observed from Bhutan's national flag, the national flag of Bhutan divided by the diagonal line forming 2 triangles with golden yellow and orange red and on the diagonal line there is a white flying dragon.
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The golden yellow symbolizes the king's power; the orange red color is the color of the Tibetan Old monk (monk) that symbolizes the spiritual power of Buddhism; the clean white dragon symbolizes this Bhutanese state, whereas the white pearls held in it symbolize authority and sanctity.
For hundreds of years Bhutan does not have a complete population census system, so Bhiman's population statistics are inaccurate, estimated to have a population of between 700,000 and 1,500,000; predominantly Tibetan and Nepali tribes. The Tibetan Tribe is primarily settled and scattered in the west, approximately 65% of the total population. The Nepalese are scattered in the south, about 35%. In addition there are Indian tribes. Bhutan is a religious state with all its citizens believing that 75% of the people follow the Tibetan Buddhism of Tantricana, as many as 25% are Hindus.
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The Tibetan Buddhism (Tantrayana) Buddhism influences local beliefs and lifestyles.
Experience Bhutan's happiness
Bhutan is referred to as "Shangrilla at the foot of the Himalayas" which 97% of the people consider themselves to be very happy. It is not the happiness that comes from the satisfaction of the lusts of the mortal world, but comes from the faith and the concept of know-enough.
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As long as they have houses and rice paddies, they are quite satisfied.
Bhutanese people assume real poverty is if not able to do charity to others, they are very satisfied as long as have paddy field and house.
Because they are Buddhists, they do not kill soul beings, which is why they import meat from India. Nevertheless on the dining table rarely seen any kind of meat, but eating vegetables or dairy products has made them satisfied.
The experience of Bhutan's happiness comes from Jigme Singye Wangchuck IV, the former king who did not prioritize economic development but founded a happy state as his mandate of office, with equality, concern and ecology concept of transforming Bhutan into a great country in terms of happiness.
In 2005, Bhutan became the focus of major media outlets around the world, its "Bhutanese Model", the Gross National Happiness (GNH) theory which he proposed to receive close attention to the international community and become the subject of economics lessons studied by experts and research institutes of countries such as USA , Japan and others. The concept of "new" in the view of developed countries in the 21st century, in Bhutan has been quietly run for almost 30 years.
The so-called "Model Bhutan" is concerned with a balanced development of matter and spirituality, protection of the environment and protection of traditional culture laid on economic development, the standard for measuring development is the Gross National Happiness (GNH).
King Wangchuk is very concerned about preservation of Bhutan's environment, he imposed a ban on smoking across the country, banning the import of plastic bags. In addition the government determines, every person every year must plant at least 10 trees.
The rate of coverage of wilderness in Bhutan is 72% at number 1 in Asia. A total of 26% of the land in the country is made a national park. In 2005 Bhutan received the "Earth Guard" prize from United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
In order to protect their environment and culture, Bhutan is willing to "reduce profit" and have mining but it is not opened. Bhangese people assume, "A life that is truly valuable, instead of living in a place where it can enjoy high level material but has a spiritual and cultural level the rich. "
To the south of the capital city of Chukha district there is a 100 meter deep underground passage leading to the Bhutan hydropower plant.
For the sake of protecting forests and soil contours, projects that should be completed within 4 years, they instead choose 12 years to penetrate the mountain as far as tens of kilometers. Snowflakes from high mountains are poured underground. While on the wall of the power plant was displayed 12 giant paintings of the story of the Buddha.
Because not wanting overflowing tourists can ruin cultural and ecological traditions, anyone entering Bhutan is required to pay a visa fee of US $ 200, limiting high rates so that Bhutan does not experience excessive pollution brought from the world outside.
At the end of 2004, the Bhutan government announced an order to ban smoking across the country. This is the first total smoking ban in the world, its citizens are prohibited from smoking cigarettes in public or any open locations. The forest applies the general rule that men should wear national fashion models, the men in the form of a knee-length skirt, called Gol , women with 3-piece model, long reaching the legs and called Kira.
Bhutan's income comes mainly from agricultural products. Today, every Bhutanese citizen is allowed to apply for agricultural land in the village to the government. They plow it in the traditional way and do not use chemical fertilizers.
Every year from March to November is the tourism season of Bhutan, especially early spring of Bhutan, the scenery is very beautiful, but in order to protect the environment resources, the number of travelers remains limited.
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Panorama of Ura village in Bumthang - Bhutan region.
Since Bhutan is not yet fully open to tourism, the number of tourism towns with its attractions is not much. As the main tourist location is in the valley of the Himalayan rivers in the central region, Thimphu capital city week market frequented by tourists, every Sunday is always crowded with visitors. In that place besides being sold goods of everyday necessities and objects that are characterized by the local, there are also art objects such as ancient books and antiques, always suck a lot of eye spotlight and tourist funds. There is also a must-visit tourist attractions such as: Dzongpa patterned buildings , the state library (outwardly resembling the Lama temple), the Wang Chu river palace and the Supreme Master Padmaambhava Sarira stupa complex.
The magnificent Punakha Dzong, the iconic style of the Bhutan temple building, was founded in 1636, the oldest 2nd number in Bhutan.
Actually it is the concept that moves the human feelings, not the material seen on the surface. From ancient times up to now in various environments, human feelings remain the same. Humans think of pursuing economic success is only the source of total happiness, but Bhutan's happy state shows us, it is not so.