17th December: Bhutan National Day

Bhutan's National Day is today so here are 10 things you might not know about Bhutan:

1. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia at the eastern end of the Himalayas. The name in English is thought to come from Sanskrit, meaning "End of Tibet." However, the name Bhutan only appears in English correspondence - it people call it Druk Yul, or “land of the Thunder Dragon” because its proximity to the Himalayas results in frequent storms.
2. Bhutan is home to the world's highest unclimbed mountain, Gangkhar Puensum at 7,570 metres (24,840 ft). It hasn't been climbed for good reason - it is believed to be sacred and so no-one is allowed to climb it by law.
3. It is the only country in the world where "Gross National Happiness" is officially measured. This reflects the country's spiritual heritage of Buddhism, and a rejection of the western idea that Gross National Product is the most important thing. The treasury arrives at a GNH by measuring progress against “four pillars” – sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation and good governance – not just GDP.
4. Care for the environment is also very important. The Constitution demands that 60% of the country remain forested (currently they exceed that at 72% forest). It sells hydro-electrical power, making it the only country whose largest export is renewable energy, and the only country which absorbs more CO2 than it gives out. Plastic bags have been banned in Bhutan since 1999, and killing an endangered animal could result in a life prison sentence. It's also the first country in the world to completely ban smoking.
5. Bhutan has not been, historically, a big tourist destination. It didn’t even appear on European maps until the late 18th century. The first foreign tourists were allowed into Bhutan in 1974. Even today, you can only visit if you arrange your travel through a government authorised agency and stump up $250 per person for each day you are there. However, this sum does include your accommodation, transport, food and a guide.
6. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. There are no Traffic Lights in the city. An attempt was made once to introduce them by installing a test set - but the people soon complained that the lights weren't personal enough, and they much preferred the traditional method of traffic control, which is a man in white gloves directing the traffic.
7. Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy, and the current king is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth Druk Gyalpo or "Dragon King", who became king in 2006 when his father abdicated. He married a commoner, Jetsun Pema, the daughter of a pilot (so Jetsun seems an appropriate name!) in 2011.
8. Bhutan has only had television and The Internet since 1999. The then king decided to allow them as a jubilee gift to the people.
9. The national animal is the highly unusual takin (or cattle chamois or gnu goat) a type of goat-antelope which is the only species in its class, Budorcas taxicolor. This animal, according to legend, was created when Bhutan's most popular saint, known as the divine madman, ate a whole cow and goat for his lunch, and when he'd finished, he took the goat's head and put it on the cow's bones, clicked his fingers and there was the takin, alive and well and grazing on the mountainside.
10. In Bhutan, everyone celebrates their birthday on New Year's Day.