Where is Bhutan? Bhutan is a small Himalayan Kingdom in South Asia, landlocked between China in the North and India in the East, South and West, located in the heart of Himalayas on the southern slope of Tibetan Plateau. With total area of 38,398 sq kilometers, (approximately the size of Switzerland), it lies between 88° 45’ and 92°10’ longitude east and 26°40’ and 28°15’ north. Its mountainous terrain, virgin forests and breath taking sceneries are a treat to the tourists and trekkers. The Indian state of Sikkim separates Bhutan from Nepal. The development of the country is under the guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

Names
Bhutan was earlier called by the following names
Lhojong Menjong or the “southern land of medicine”;
Ridrag gi yul or the “land of the dense forests and mountainous terrain”; and
Tsenden key pi jong or the “land of cypresses”.

Bhutan was called Druk Yul or the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” after 16th century. Druk Yul (the land of Drukpas) is a name derived from Drukpa Kagyu School, one of the four major schools of Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism is the main religion practiced in the country.