The name of Tibet today is primarily a provincial (autonomous region) in southern China with its capital at Lhasa, whose international status is quite controversial.
² The Tibetan Plateau covers an area of 2.5 million kilometers. It is bounded on the south by the main ridge of the Himalayas. On the border with Nepal are some of the highest peaks in the world. These mountains are also making Tibet one of the driest regions of the world, since it rainy monsoon rains away from the country. The vegetation is so sparse and steppes or desert-like. Only in the east there is a significant tree vegetation, which, however, is highly vulnerable to intensive use. Only a few animals (yaks, sheep) can survive in this environment. Average temperatures range from 8 degrees in Lhasa and -5 degrees in the northern half of the province. Agriculture is therefore limited by nomadic livestock herders. The mining industry in Tibet is indeed predicted a great future, but today he lies, as well as other industries, still in its infancy.
Tourism plays an increasing role in Tibet. The construction of the Lhasa railway (completed 2006) to travel to Tibet (mainly Chinese) has been simplified by a multiple. Focus is set on cultural tours, as well as trekking and mountaineering tours will be conducted. For entry into Tibet, however, in addition to the Chinese visa, a separate permit required!
Population and culture, and Tibet
Most of the approximately 12 million inhabitants live in the east of the country. Of these, one half of Tibetans, the other half is formed by the rapidly growing Chinese population. The highlands are very sparsely populated. The Tibetan culture is very prevalent by the religion, Buddhism, dominated. Until 1959, the head of the Buddhist community - the Dalai Lhama - based in Lhasa, today he lives in exile. Many monasteries were closed destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, or, can now be re-inhabited by monks. They are the main vectors of Tibetan literature, the learned in the West only the "Tibetan Book of the Dead" a significant attention. Also on Tibetan territory, lies the sacred mountain of all Buddhists, Kailash.
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