Bhutan is a landlocked nation on the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh to the west, south, and east, respectively.
The country's physical geography is defined by a stunning altitudinal gradient. In the south, the Duars Plain features dense, subtropical jungles and river valleys. Moving north, the terrain rises into the Inner Himalayas, an intricate network of steep valleys and forested mountains that house the majority of the population. Further north still lies the Great Himalayas, characterized by rugged, glaciated mountain peaks that reach over 7,000 meters.
Bhutan's commitment to the environment is unparalleled. With roughly 70% forest cover, it acts as a massive carbon sink. Its rivers, fed by Himalayan glaciers and monsoon rains, carve deep valleys and provide the nation's primary economic resource: hydroelectric power. The country boasts an incredible array of biodiversity, providing sanctuary for tigers, snow leopards, red pandas, and the endangered black-necked crane.