Bhutan, a nation nestled between India and China, remained largely unknown to the world until the mid-20th century due to its rugged Himalayan topography and dense sub-tropical jungles.

However, in the 1960s, Bhutan began embracing modern development and building infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals.

Today, Bhutan is experiencing rapid change as a result of planned development, rising incomes, and globalization, but it still maintains its ancient culture and pristine natural environment. Bhutan’s commitment to protecting its environment is evident in the fact that two-thirds of the country is covered by forests and over half of its landmass is designated as parks and protected areas.

Additionally, Bhutan is one of the few carbon negative countries in the world, and its primary export is clean hydropower generated from its fast-flowing snow-fed rivers. Despite the challenges of the 21st century, Bhutan remains committed to its development philosophy of gross national happiness, which prioritizes a holistic approach to development that promotes the pursuit of happiness for its citizens. Map of Bhutan