The Kingdom of Bhutan is a fascinating, landlocked and mountainous country nestled in
the eastern Himalayas, bordering China to the north and India to the south. Partly due
to its difficult geographical boundaries, Bhutan has always preserved its independence
and its rich and unique cultural heritage has mostly remained intact over the ages. The
Bhutanese have developed a strong sense of common identity despite a mosaic of
cultures with extraordinary ethnic and linguistic diversity. The kingdom has recorded
impressive achievements on many fronts over the last four decades and is one of the
few countries where macroeconomic progress in terms of per capita GDP growth as
well as the physical infrastructure in terms of improved communications and electrical
connectivity has been matched by the social sector with provisions of free education and
free health care, safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Under the visionary leadership
of its monarchs, Bhutan has challenged many traditional concepts of development
with its unique development philosophy based on the principles of Gross National
Happiness. The monarchs’ long-term vision of democratization and decentralization
has been implemented through a peaceful step-by-step devolution of power to the
people that culminated in 2008 with the adoption of the Constitution of the Kingdom
of Bhutan, making Bhutan the world’s youngest democracy.