As a country, Bhutan has remained independent throughout its history, and was isolated from outside influence for many centuries and remained largely unknown to the rest of the world until it opened its doors to modern socio-economic development in the early 1960’s. Today, Bhutan has entered the 21st Century as a unique nation known as a model for sustainable development by blending its unique traditions and culture with the forces of modernization. Still relatively unknown to the outside world, Bhutan remains an enchanting land that some call the last Shangri-la.