While Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world, its cultural diversity and richness are profound. Strong emphasis is laid on the promotion and preservation of that culture: by protecting and nurturing it, the belief is that the sovereignty of the nation is protected too.
That shows up in ordinary ways. National dress (the gho for men, the kira for women) is worn to work and to any formal occasion. Archery is the national sport and is played with a great deal of noise and a certain amount of dancing. Buildings are still put up in the traditional style, with the timber cornices and the painted detail, whether they are monasteries or petrol stations.