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Born on 7 August 1991
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University
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Secondary school
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Thimphu
BHUTAN
Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961. As of 2005 it had a population of 79,185,[1] with 98,676 people living in the entire Thimphu district.
The city is spread out longitudinally in a north-south direction on the west bank of the valley formed by the Wang Chuu, also known as the Thimphu Chuu River. Unusually for a capital city, Thimphu is not served by an airport, but relies on the airport at Paro, connected by road some 54 kilometres (34 mi) away.
Thimphu, as the political and economic centre of Bhutan, has a
dominant agricultural and livestock base, which contributes to 45% of
the country's GNP.
Tourism, though a contributor to the economy, is strictly regulated,
maintaining a balance between the traditional and development and
modernization. Thimphu contains most of the important political
buildings in Bhutan, including the National Assembly of the newly formed
parliamentary democracy and Dechencholing Palace,
the official residence of the King, located to the north of the city.
As a metropolis and capital city, Thimphu is coordinated by the "Thimphu
Structure Plan", an Urban Development Plan which evolved in 1998 with
the objective of protecting the fragile ecology of the valley. This
development is ongoing with financial assistance from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
The culture of Bhutan is fully reflected in Thimphu in respect
of literature, religion, customs, and national dress code, the monastic
practices of the monasteries, music, dance, literature and in the
media. Tsechu festival is an important festival when mask dances, popularly known as Cham dances, are performed in the courtyards of the Tashichhoe Dzong
in Thimphu. It is a four day festival held every year during Autumn
(September/October), on dates corresponding to the Bhutanese calendar.
Economy
Thimphu is the political and economic centre of Bhutan and the location
of the central government. Agriculture and livestock contribute to 45%
of the GNP. The use of hydropower plants to generate electricity has
also substantially contributed to the economy. Tourism is also a
contributor to the economy but its adoption is on a graduated scale
maintaining a balance between development and modernization. India is
its major trading partner with most of the electricity produced (90%)
exported to India, with imports from India limited to 70%. The ngultrum (ISO 4217 code BTN) (Dzongkha ) has been the currency of Bhutan since 1974. It is subdivided
into 100 chhertum (called chetrums on coins until 1979). In 1974, the
ngultrum was introduced as the Bhutanese currency replacing the rupee at
par. The ngultrum is equal in value to the Indian rupee, since Bhutan's economy is largely dependent on Indian financial and other forms of assistance.
Although a city, agriculture is still important to Thimphu and the
surrounding district. Even around the royal palace are terraced fields.
The main crops grown in the area are rice, corn (maize), and wheat and
the lumbering trade is also important to the economy.
A morning market is held on the central square during weekends. These
are the only days when the residents of Thimphu can buy fresh fruit and
vegetables.
The inhabitants rely on the supermarkets for other provisions
throughout the week. The market also sells yak butter, cheese, wooden
bowls and fabrics. A number of cheap souvenirs from Nepal are also sold at the market. Behind the open market, several shops sell Chinese and Bangladeshi crockery, appliances, shoes, silks and carpets.
For many years merchants would come to the central square from all over
Bhutan and market their goods and would sleep in the open air.
However, in 1986, platforms were erected and in 1989 covered market
halls were built over the platforms. A special building for meat
products was constructed on the north side of the market. In 2006, the
handicrafts section was moved to the new stalls on the other side of the
new bridge, built in the traditional style in 2005.
The Loden Foundation,
Bhutan's first registered charity, has been based in Thimphu since
2007. It is run by a board of trustees composed of prominent citizens,
and the foundation has a working team in the United Kingdom (UK). The
organisation was established to support education and promote learning
and entrepreneurship in Bhutan and other Himalayan areas and to promote Bhutanese culture and religion in other parts of the world.