Bhutan - Don't Worry, Be Happy Quiz

Answer: The Black Mountains

The Drangme Chhu empties into the Brahmaputra, which is unique amongst Indian rivers in that it is considered masculine.
Along with the Mo Chhu, the Drangme Chhu flanks the Black Mountains - a range found in central Bhutan and one which is dwarfed by its Himalayan neighbours. "Chhu" is Dzongkha for "water".

Answer: Airport

The first airport in Bhutan, Paro International Airport, was built in 1983. The airport, located in a valley surrounded by steep peaks, is considered one of the most difficult to negotiate, and only a limited number of pilots have been certified to land there. Bhutan's first paved road was built in 1961, the first telephone network was installed in 1963, and the Bank of Bhutan was established in 1968.

Incidentally, television didn't arrive in Bhutan until the late 1990s.

Answer: Twenty

The twenty dzongkhags are grouped into four zones, or dzongdey, according to their location in the country. Each dzongdey has its own capital city, with Thimphu being the capital of the Western dzongda as well as Bhutan's capital. The Eastern zone holds the smallest dzongkhag (Pemagatshel), while the Central dzongda's Wangdue Phodrang is the country's largest district. Until 1992, there were eighteen districts, but some were divided down again to create two additional dzongkhags.

Answer: Haa, Gasa and Chukha

Haa and Chukha are both found in the Eastern zone, and Gasa is located in the Central zone. Dzongkhags can be further divided into gewogs, of which there are 205, each administered by a Gewog Tshogdu.

Answer: True

Bhutan has three distinct climatic zones, the Alpine Zone above around 4000m in altitude, the Temperate Zone from around 2000-4000m altitude, and the Tropical Zone below 2000m. The lowest elevation in Bhutan is around 150m above sea level. There is much variance between sources as to whether Bhutan's climate is tropical or subtropical.

Answer: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood

The four major GLOFs occurred in 1957, '63, '68, and '94, and they caused massive damage to both the infrastructure and the environment. They are thought to have been caused by the Himalayan glaciers retreating as the planet warms. There are around 680 glaciers in Bhutan and scientists have identified at least 25 as being high risk for future GLOF.

Answer: Hydropower

Bhutan's location in the Himalayas presents great opportunities to harness the power of the mountain range's glacial flows to generate electricity through hydropower. Over 99% of the country's electricity comes from hydropower, with a very small amount as a result of burning fossil fuels. Bhutan's agricultural exports, which include fruits, rice, and spices, are primarily directed to India, Hong Kong and Bangladesh.

Answer: Phobjika Valley

The black-necked cranes arrive in Phobjika Valley in late October each year, and soon after they arrive the local people celebrate with the Festival of Tsechu. The people who live in the valley, including the monks of the Gangteng Monastery, are semi nomadic, with everyone moving out during the winter months.

Answer: A postage stamp was issued depicting the creature

Migoi is the Bhutanese term for a Yeti.

Bhutan is found on the eastern end of the Himalayas and its highest point is Gangkhar Puensum, the 40th highest peak in the world. It is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world as of January 2012.

Answer: A monastery

Located at 10,240 feet (3,120 metres) above sea level, the monastery complex is perched 3,000 feet (900 metres) above the Paro Valley in western Bhutan. The monastery was built in the 17th century near the site of a cave where Indian Guru Padmasambahva meditated during the eighth century.

Although it looks inaccessible, it is about a two or three hour hike to reach the monastery, and there's even a restaurant near it.