Bhutan Geography

The Great Himalayan Range Black-necked crane Flag of Bhutan Paro valley

The Kingdom of Bhutan is completely landlocked. It's neighboring countries are India (with a border of 605 km) and Tibet (with a border of 470 km). Bhutan has a total area of 46,500 square km.

The north of Bhutan is formed by the snowcapped Great Himalayan Range. Most glaciated mountain peaks are over 7,500 m above sea level. The Bhutanese claim that the Kula Kangri (7,553 m) is the highest point, but in fact this mountain is completely located in Tibet. The Gangkhar Puensum (7,541 m) is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The alpine valleys in this region provide pasture for livestock for a small population of shepherds.

Central Bhutan is formed by the Black Mountains. These mountains form a watershed between the two major river systems: the Mo Chhu and the Drangme Chhu. Mountain heights range between 1,500 m and 2,700 m above sea level. The central region is covered with woodlands and provides most of the forest production. It is in these central highlands that most of the population lives.

The Shiwalik Hills located in the south of Bhutan have heights up to 1,500 m above sea level. These hills are mostly covered with dense, deciduous forests and lowland river valleys. The foothills descend into the subtropical Duars Plain. The northern Duars has rugged, sloping terrain and dry, porous soil with dense vegetation and abundant wildlife. The southern Duars has moderately fertile soil, heavy savannah grass, dense, mixed jungle, and freshwater springs. The Duars provides the greatest amount of fertile flatlands in Bhutan. Rice and other crops are grown on the plains and mountainsides up to 1,200 meters. Rhinoceros, tigers, leopards, elephants, and other wildlife inhabit the region.

Climate

Bhutan’s climate is as varied as its altitudes and is affected by monsoons. Subtropical in the south, temperate in the highlands and polar in the north. Bhutan experiences five distinct seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter.

The dry spring starts in early March and lasts until mid-April. Summer begins in mid-April with occasional showers and continues through the premonsoon rains of late June. The monsoon lasts from late June through late September with heavy rains from the southwest. Autumn, from late September to late November, follows the rainy season. It is characterized by bright, sunny days and some early snowfalls at higher elevations. From late November until March, winter sets in, with frost throughout much of the country and snowfall common above elevations of 3,000 meters.