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National symbols and key facts

About Bhutan

National symbols and key facts

Below are some national symbols and key facts about the Kingdom of Bhutan, also known as Drukyul - ‘The Land of Thunder Dragon’.

National sport: Archery in Bhutan
National animal: Takin
National bird: Raven
National flower: Himalayan Blue Poppy

Capital City: Thimphu

Total districts (dzongkhag): 20
(Bumthang, Chukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrupjongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangduephodrang, Zhemgang)

Climate: Alpine, temperate and subtropical

Population: 771,608 people (as of 2020)

Ethnicity Ngalong, Sharchokpa and Lhotshampa, that are collectively known as Drukpa (literally, people from Bhutan)

National Language: Dzongkha (other dialects and languages include Sharchopkha, Tshangla, Bumthangkha, Kurtopkha, Khyengkha, Chocha, Ngacha and Nepali)

Religion: Predominantly Mahayana Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingmapa sects) with 20% Hindu

Time: GMT +6

Currency: Ngultrum (on par with Indian rupee)

National animal: Takin

National flower: Himalayan Blue Poppy

National bird: Raven

National sport: Archery

National food: Ema datshi (chilli cheese)

National day: 17th December 1907