About Tibet

History

Since the Chinese annexation of Tibet in 1949, as many as 1.2 million Tibetans have been killed through executions, torture and starvation while more than 6,000 of Tibet's temples and monasteries have been defaced or destroyed. When tensions peaked and violence broke out in 1959, the Dalai Lama, spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, was left with little choice but to flee his homeland along with 80,000 Tibetan refugees. The following year, as more Tibetan refugees arrived, the Indian government allowed political asylum in Dharamsala for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees to set up an administration in exile. Today, the Himalayan hill town of Dharamsala has become the center of the Tibetan exile world amongst its 140,000 refugees.


Facts about Tibet and Tibetan culture

Known as the roof of the world, Tibet is located North of the Indian and nepalese Himalayas and rests upon the earth's largest plataeu. Tibet is the source of freshwater to billions of people.


What is the reality facing Tibetan refugees?

Tibet At a Glance

Head of State

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Seat of Government

Dharamsala, Northern India

Distribution of Refugees

Government Type

Democratic with popular and electoral college voting

Cabinet Ministries

Education

Finance

Health

Home Affairs

Religion & Culture

Security

Information & International Relations

Government Income

  • Annual Voluntary Tax
  • Business Revenue
  • Donations

Economy

  • Sweater-selling
  • Agriculture
  • Agro-industrial
  • Handicrafts
  • Handicraft Exports
  • Carpet Weaving