he inhabitants of Bhutan are warm, simple, hardworking and open. They are peace loving and have a lively sense of humor. Broadly speaking, they fall into three ethnic groups; the Sharchogpas, who are held to be the indigenous inhabitants, the Ngalogpas whose descendance is traced to neighbouring Tibet and the Lhotsampas, recent immigrants of Nepalese origin.

Predominantly Buddhist, the Bhutanese practice the Drukpa Kagyupa sect of Mahayana Buddhism. Religion has shaped the history of the nation and continues to play an important role in the life of the god fearing and spiritual people. All over Bhutan evidence of this can be seen in the many religious monuments and symbols that have been erected. Practically every Bhutanese home has an altar where daily religious observance are carried out by the family. Monks are held in great respect and play an active part in community life and in the Government.

The documented history of Bhutan dates from the 7th century. However, it was one hundred years later that Guru Padmasambhava came from Tibet and spread the Buddhist faith throughout Bhutan. In the early 17th century Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal came from Tibet and eventually ended a long period of rivalry between different factions of feudal lords. He established the Drukpa sect which is still prevalent today. The Shabdrung codified a comprehensive system of laws and built a chain of Dzongs which guarded each valley during unsettled times. The Dzongs now serve as religious and administrative centres. The theocratic political system of government which was founded by the Shabdrung continued until the early years of this century when Bhutan became united under the first King, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck. Bhutan now has a system of democratic monarchy.