Introduction
Perched at an elevation of about 7,000 feet (2,000 meters), the city of Thimphu lies on the Raidak River in a valley of the Himalayas. It is the capital of Bhutan, a small kingdom between India and the Chinese region of Tibet in south-central Asia.
Places of interest
In an effort to preserve Bhutan's culture and history, the government limits the number of tourists who can enter the country. As a result, Thimphu is a quiet city with little of the crowds and activity associated with other capitals.
The historic sites of Thimphu include the Tashi Chho dzong, a fortified monastery, or religious school, that dates back to the 13th century. The fortress has been remodeled and extended to house the offices of the royal government. It is one of the finest examples of traditional Bhutanese architecture. Among the city's more modern attractions are the School of Arts and Crafts and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. An excellent place to experience the life of the city is the weekend market in the center of town. There residents gather to buy and sell vegetables and crafts such as jewelry and traditional masks.
Economy
Bhutan has one of the smallest economies in the world. Most of its people live as farmers or herders. Little commercial or industrial activity takes place anywhere in the country, including Thimphu. Fields are planted even around the city's royal palace. The main crops in the area are rice, corn (maize), and wheat. Among Thimphu's few industries, lumbering is important. Hydroelectricity, or waterpower, is produced in Thimphu and exported.
History
Little is known about the history of Thimphu or the rest of the kingdom before the 17th century. It was long isolated from the outside world by the mountainous terrain. For hundreds of years the kingdom had no set capital, with the seat of government being wherever the king resided. In 1962, however, Thimphu was named the official seat of government. A large construction program was then undertaken to make Thimphu into a more modern city. Population (1997 estimate), 45,000.
