Bhutan is a Himalayan Buddhist kingdom that famously measures national success by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP, with cliffside monasteries and a strict environmental ethos.
Geography & landscape
Bhutan sits in Southern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 38,394 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Thimphu, lies near coordinates 27.5°, 90.5°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Southern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Bhutan.
People & society
The population of Bhutan is around 780K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Dzongkha, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Bhutan is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Thimphu, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Bhutan is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Thimphu and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Bhutan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Bhutan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Thimphu, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +975, and clocks are set to the BTT (UTC+6) time zone. ISO standards identify Bhutan as BT (alpha-2) and BTN (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇧🇹, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Thimphu | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Southern Asia | — |
| Population | 780K | people |
| Area | 38,394 | km² |
| Currency | Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) | — |
| Calling code | +975 | international dialling |
| Time zone | BTT (UTC+6) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BT | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BTN | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 27.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | 90.5 | degrees |
Did you know?
Bhutan is the world's only carbon-negative country — its forests absorb more CO₂ than the country emits.
