Sikkim
Sikkim is the 22nd
state of India in the north-eastern Himalayas situated between Nepal, Tibet and
Bhutan. It was an independent kingdom till 1975.
The country
features mainly mountains, valleys, lots of jungle and the third highest
mountain in the world: Kanchendzonga is situated just in Sikkim.
There is a rich
spiritual tradition in Sikkim (mainly Buddhism). The country has a large variety
of medicinal plants, flowers (many orchids), wildlife, natural richness and
cultural traditions.
The inhabitants are a colorful mixture of several ethnical groups
that are living as minorities such as Lepcha’s (the original inhabitants of
Sikkim), Bhutia’s (originally from Tibet and Bhutan) and several Nepalese
tribes. All of these ethnic groups have their own language, own dances, songs
and traditions. The total number of inhabitants of Sikkim is around 800.000 and
many of them live in poverty.
