About Tibet

Tibet Facts

Name: Short form: Xizang
Int'l long form: Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR)
Int'l short form: Tibet
Etymological: The name Tibet is derived from the Sanskrit word Trivistapa which means "heaven." Tibetans called their homeland Bod.
Geography: Location: Asia, north of India, located on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest region.
Area: 1.2m sq km (471 700 sq miles), Bod: 2.5 million sq. km, approximately the size of Western Europe.
Terrain: 70% Grassland; from high plateau to tropical forest
Climate: Average temperture 28 degrees Celsius (Summer) -15 degrees Celsius (in Winter), extremely dry except during rainy season (July-August).
History: Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back. Tibet's history can be diveded into four period: The Tsanpo's Period, The period of Decentrailzation, The period of Sakya, Pagdu, and Karmapa's Rule, and The period of the gandan Podrang's Administration.
People: Population: 2.62 million
Ethnic Groups: primarily ethnic Tibetans; Menba, Lhoba, Mongols, Hui and a growing number of Han Chinese.
Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Animism.
Languages: Tibetan, Chinese.
Festivals: Tibetan New Year, Shoton Festival, Bathing Festival.. Click to see more Fesitivals celebrated in Tibet.
Natural resources: Forests, wildlife, mineral resources, uranium (world's largest uranium reserve), hydro-, geothermal energy.
Agriculture products: Livestock and livestock products.
Industries: Mining, wool spinning, carpets, forestry, food processing, printing, building materials and machinery, tourism.
Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Time: Local Time = UTC +8h
Government: Type: Communist party-led state (People's Republic of China)
The Tibet Autonomous Region was founded on 9 September 1965.

About Tibet: - Its people, religion, culture & landscape

Tibet, known as 'the Roof of the World', is a jewel in the Himalayas and a place filled with hope and secrets. Its wild and overwhelming landscape will cause you to be weak in the knees. The big smile of Tibetan people will warm your heart, while their strong spiritual faith will touch your soul; the splendid and mysterious Tibetan culture will astound you. Come to Tibet to explore its charm in person!

Why travel to Tibet	Religion
Because it's unique! It is a Shangri-La and picturesque wonderland on earth, the last spiritual place to save the world!	The religion supports the spiritual world of Tibetan people.
People	Culture & Art
To see and understand the reason behind ever smiling faces	Tibetan culture is colorful, rich and heavily influenced by the religion of Tibet.
Festivals	Landscape
Tibetans celebrate festivals almost every month, and there might be several to celebrate in a single month.	The landscape in Tibet cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. It's a paradise of paradoxes where magnificent mountains, turquoise lakes, and vast grasslands co-exist with desolate desert and clay forest.