The Himalayas info - Bhutan

The Bhutanese are a proud and independent people, expending substantial effort in preserving their cultural identity. In the recent past this has led to problems between the people in the south, who are largely Nepali in origin, and the people in the north who are predominantly Bhutanese. For example, the government expelled people to Nepal who could not prove that they had been living in Bhutan for more than a generation, which of course caused much tension.

Approximately 90 % of the population is engaged in agricultural production and life revolves mainly around the agricultural and religious calendar. The north is dominated by imposing mountains, reaching 7500m. To the south are fertile river valleys where the greater part of the population lives. Beautiful houses with brightly decorated window-frames and shingled roofs are typical of the valleys. Buckwheat, potatoes, bright green paddy fields and oak forests are the most common features in the landscape.