Living in Bhutan guide for expats

Bhutan covers a small area of 47,000 square kilometres and has the population of 776,400 people. Four main ethnic groups (Ngalop in the west and north, Sharchop in the east, Lhotshampa in the south, and aboriginal tribes living in villages across the country) compose the population of Bhutan. The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, but various Tibetan and Nepalese dialects are also spoken.

Bhutan's economy is mainly driven by agriculture, hydropower, and forestry ' and this is where most of the population is employed. Because of the highland terrain, building up infrastructure is complicated and costly, and industrial production is limited.

Bhutan is, above all, the land of Buddhist tradition, and you will see cliffside monasteries in the countryside and monks checking their phones in city cafes. With the dramatic backdrop of the breathtaking Himalayan landscape with its snow-capped peaks and eerie gorges, Bhutan is a postcard beauty with a rugged edge. The country has an extensive environmental protection program which commands that 60% of the country's territory must be forested for future generations.

Bhutan's tourism is highly regulated with the 'High Value, Low Impact Tourism" policy. Only a limited number of tourists can enter the country at one time, and all visitors to Bhutan must pay USD 250 per person per day as a tourist fee. Citizens of almost all countries will require a visa to Bhutan in advance, and this will allow access only to some areas of the country, while restricted regions will need special permission.