The president of the Assembly of Extremadura, Blanca Martin, louis salaya, mayor of Cáceres, and Pink Bulletsdirector of external action of the Extremadura jointthey find each other official trip in Bhutana visit promoted by the Lumbini Garden Foundation as part of the collaboration of Extremaduran institutions with Buddhist institutions in Asia for the construction of the Buddhist center in Cáceres.
But, what do we know about Bhutan? And why is it known as the happiest country in the world?
Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom located on the eastern edge of the Himalayas. Its greatest attractions are its monasteries, fortresses and incredible landscapes, combining subtropical plains and steep mountains and valleys. It is a country very seductive for excursions through mountains such as Jomolhari, 7,326 meters high.
Geographically it is located in South Asia, landlocked, which limits to the north with the People’s Republic of China and to the south with India. Its capital is Timbu, where the seat of government, which is a constitutional monarchy, is located. Its surface reaches 40,996 square kilometers for a population of 800,000 inhabitants. In fact, Bhutan is one of the smallest and least populated countries in the world.
This kingdom condenses in its small territory natural spaces of great beauty and exuberance, in which the mountains, the plains, the forest and the jungle are combined, areas interspersed by very attractive Buddhist temples. Europeans are not only seduced by the culture and tradition of Bhutan, but also by the wide variety of activities in almost unexplored environments to practice trekking, rafting, kayaking and cycling. And, an important detail, the little tourism due to passenger entry control. Until 1974, tourists could not access the country and now it is only possible through an authorized agency and the cost is set by the authorities.
Gross National Happiness Index
Bhutan is considered as a little haven of spirituality. In fact, the government does not use classic economic measures such as GDP to measure the well-being of its population, but the IFNB or Gross National Happiness Index.
This happiness index is based on nine criteria: psychological well-being, use of time, community vitality, cultural diversity, ecological resilience, living standards, health, education and good governance. However, it is about one of the poorest and least developed countries on the planet, although its citizens are always identified with a smile on their lips.
The Bhutanese economy is based on the agriculture, livestock and forest extraction, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence crops and livestock.
The Bhutanese have access to the internet and television since 1999and, despite a late landing in modernity and new technologies, the Citizens are very active in social networks, they use smart mobile phones and any device within their reach.
Bumthang District
One of the most sublime areas is the Bumthang district, where culture and tradition blend harmoniously. It means “beautiful field” and in which they are located 29 temples and monasteries. There, next to the Wandichholing Palace, is the Amankora Bumthang Lodgein which travelers can embark on experiences marked by culture and spirituality, such as participating in the unforgettable offering of butter lamps at the Taktsang Monastery, learn to master the ancient art of archery or go rafting in the white waters of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.