Thursday, April 14, 2011

Lhasa: capital of the Chinese region of Tibet

Lhasa in Tibet by mupa2020
Lhasa in Tibet, a photo by mupa2020 on Flickr.

Tibet is the highest region on earth, with an average elevation of 4,900 metres (16,000 ft). It is sometimes referred to as the Roof of the World, says Wikipedia.

Today, most of cultural Tibet is ruled as "autonomous areas" by the People's Republic of China.

The economy of Tibet is dominated by subsistence agriculture, though tourism has become a growing industry in Tibet in recent decades.

The dominant religion in Tibet is Tibetan Buddhism, though there are Muslim and Christian minorities.

Tibetan Buddhism is a primary influence on the art, music, and festivals of the region.

Tibetan architecture reflects Chinese and Indian influences. Staple foods in Tibet are roasted barley, yak meat, and butter tea.