Changing face of Bhutan Map

(Bhutan in 1909 as indicated in British map)

With the change of political system in Bhutan, we also have achieved a newer Bhutan, but because of its changing geography.

(Bhutan map after the loosing of Tawang monastery)

In course of history, the map of Bhutan changed – thrice in the last 100 years. This is within the reign of the Wangchuk dynasty.

During the reign of second king Jigme Wangchuk, the issue of Tawang monastery in far-east was in dispute. However, it was later merged into Tibet.

The Tawang monastery has its links with the McMahon like that outlines the international boundary of Indian sub-continent with China. This still is a disputable issue between India and China.

With the merger of vast area in the east to Tibet and India, Bhutan had shrunk a little. The Bhutanese had changed.

For long, Bhutan’s total area remained constant at 46,500 sq. km. Surprisingly, in a resent statement, the government announced that Bhutan’s area had never been 46,500. New figure has made Bhutan further smaller by around 1,000 sq km.

(Map of ‘democratic’ Bhutan)

The new map of the country has also changed since then. I have tried to put here all three maps for your review.

I think, Bhutan not only continues to change politically but geographically as well. This is one of the components of Gross National Happiness.