a kingdom in central Asia: disputed by Tibet, China, India, and Britain since the 18th century but most closely connected with India;contains inaccessible stretches of the E Himalayas in the north. Official language: Dzongka; Nepali is also spoken. Official religion: Mahayana Buddhist. Currencies: ngultrum and Indian rupee. Capital: Thimphu. Pop: 807 610 (2017 est). Area: about 46 600 sq km (18 000 sq miles)