Human Geography of Bhutan,Maldives , Nepal and Sri Lanka

1. Human Geography of Bhutan,Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Ch. 27.2

2. Bhutan Video • 1. Which religion is at the heart of communities in Bhutan? • 2. Why is mountain climbing forbidden in Bhutan? • 3. How has an official policy of isolation influenced culture in Bhutan?

3. Bhutan Video Answers • Tibetan Buddhism is the primary religion in Bhutan. • 2. Mountain climbing is forbidden because the mountains are considered sacred places. The mountains are thought to be the homes of the deities. • 3. The policy of isolation has preserved traditional culture.

5. Human Geography of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal & Sri Lanka • History and Government • In 1600s Bhutan, a Tibetan lama, or Buddhist monk, consolidated religious and political power; however, today it is a constitutional monarchy. • Historically ruled by many smaller kingdoms, modern Nepal has wavered between representative government and rule by the king. • Under European control for centuries, Maldives became a republic in 1965. • Sri Lanka adopted a parliamentary government after independence from Britain in 1948.

6. In 1600s Bhutan, a Tibetan lama, or Buddhist monk, consolidated religious and political power; however, today it is a constitutional monarchy. His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin was here last weekend. He is the senior Buddhist Lama in Bhutan which is sortakinda equivalent to a Cardinal in the Catholic church (the only Christian church whose heirarchy I'm familiar with). Here are a couple of photos: Bhutan crowns world's youngest monarch

7. Historically ruled by many smaller kingdoms, modern Nepal has wavered between representative government and rule by the king. Nepalese government holds cabinet meeting on Mount Everes

8. Under European control for centuries, Maldives became a republic in 1965. The Maldives gained independence from the British on July 26, 1965, after 77 years as a British protectorate.

9. Sri Lanka adopted a parliamentary government after independence from Britain in 1948.

11. Human Geography of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal & Sri Lanka • Population Patterns • Nepal is the most populous country of the region, with 30.9 million people. • Bhutan’s 700,000 people live in pockets across the rugged terrain. • Sri Lanka has a population of 21.2 million people, with most living near the capital, Colombo. • The city of Male is the most populous settlement in Maldives, with a third of the country’s 300,000 people.

12. Nepal is the most populous country of the region, with 30.9 million people.

13. Bhutan’s 700,000 people live in pockets across the rugged terrain.

14. Sri Lanka has a population of 21.2 million people, with most living near the capital, Colombo.

15. The city of Male is the most populous settlement in Maldives, with a third of the country’s 300,000 people.

17. Human Geography of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal & Sri Lanka • Society and Culture Today • Nepal’s population is mostly Hindu, with the remaining ten percent Buddhist. • The Bhote in Bhutan are descendants of Tibetan peoples, and most are Buddhist. • Sri Lanka’s majority Sinhalese population is Buddhist, and the Tamil minority is Hindu. • Maldives is a mix of Sinhalese, East African, and Arabic peoples. • Women often have second-class status in these societies.

18. Nepal’s population is mostly Hindu, with the remaining ten percent Buddhist.

19. The Bhote in Bhutan are descendants of Tibetan peoples, and most are Buddhist.

20. Sri Lanka’s majority Sinhalese population is Buddhist, and the Tamil minority is Hindu. Sinhalese Tamil

21. Maldives is a mix of Sinhalese, East African, and Arabic peoples.

22. Women often have second-class status in these societies.

24. Human Geography of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal & Sri Lanka • Economic Activities • These countries are not very economically developed because they have relatively few resources and are remote. • Nearly 75 percent of Nepalese are engaged in agriculture and herding, with farmers practicing terracing to make the most use of the land. • Tourism is an important part of the economy in the region, with hiking, rafting, and touring religious sites being popular in Bhutan and Nepal, while in Sri Lanka and Maldives, people enjoy the beaches.

25. These countries are not very economically developed because they have relatively few resources and are remote.

26. Nearly 75 percent of Nepalese are engaged in agriculture and herding, with farmers practicing terracing to make the most use of the land.

27. Tourism is an important part of the economy in the region, with hiking, rafting, and touring religious sites being popular in Bhutan and Nepal, while in Sri Lanka and Maldives, people enjoy the beaches.