TIBET

[internet resources]

A map of Tibet showing the various political delimitations from pre-1911 to present (not definitive). Taken from www.tibetmap.org; click for larger version.

Quick Facts:

Official Name: Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
Local Name: Tibet
Population: 2,620,000
Capital City : Lhasa
Languages: Mandarin (official),Cantonese (official),Tibetan
Official Currency: Renminbi
Ethnic Groups: Tibetan, Han, Hui, Monpa
Religions: Tibetan Buddhism

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a vast, elevated plateau in that spans most of People's Republic of China's Tibet Autonomous Region and beyond. Well-deserving of the names "Roof of the World" and "Land of Snow," this region defined by one of the highest inhabited plateaus in the world. Tibet adjoins provinces of the People's Republic of China in the north and east, and such countries and regions as Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal in the south and west. The Himalayas run across the southern boundary of the plauteau.

This region is the homeland of two relatively distinct groups: the Central Tibetans, historically a sedentary farming people whose population is primarly settled, and is centered around the regional capital of Lhasa, and the Drokpa, who are traditionally tent-dwelling nomads. In addition to these two groups, the Tibetan plateau is home to a diverse range of peoples, including Menba, Lhoba, Mongols, and Hui, as well as Han Chinese. Much of the Tibetan population practices one of the major forms of Buddhism. Additionally, small communities of Muslims known as Kachee may be found in most Tibetan cities.

While the Tibetan economy is based largely on subsistence agriculture, there are growing handicraft and tourism industries, as well as a burgeoning mining industry. In 2006 the Qinghai-Tibet Railway was opened, linking Tibet with the main population centers of China by rail for the first time.

Information and maps above taken from Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Fact Book. Unless otherwise specified, images sourced from Wikimedia Commons.

Tibet Internet Resources

This page contains convenient starting points for exploring web sites related to Tibet. To make this page easier to load and use, we generally have limited the list to those sites which contain substantial collections of links to information on these subjects. The views reflected on any web site linked below do not necessarily reflect the views of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center. We provide these links as a service to the public.

The Canada Tibet Committee site includes World Tibet Network News, a daily electronic news bulletin compiled from international news services.
Free Tibet Campaign campaigns for an end to the Chinese occupation of Tibet and for the Tibetans' fundamental human rights to be respected.
The Government of Tibet in Exile is maintained and updated by The Office of Tibet, the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London.
Great Outdoor Recreation Pages - Tibet at a Glance provides travel and adventure information and links to Tibet-related sites.
Human Rights Watch: China and Tibet discusses human rights developments and the international community's role.
International Campaign for Tibet--Save Tibet

Tibetan Studies World Wide Web Virtual Library, maintained by Dr T. Matthew Ciolek, has a search engine and links to related sites by subject.
Tibet Awareness Site provides information on Tibetan culture and politics, as well as information on international campaigns and movements supporting Tibet's sovereignty. This site has not been updated since 2002.
Tibet Fund, founded in 1981, is the principal fund raising organization for the Tibetan people, established to help preserve and promote their unique cultural heritage.
The Tibet Justice Center , (TJC), promotes human rights, environmental protection, and peaceful resolution of the situation in Tibet through legal action and education.
Tibet Online, operated by the international Tibet Support Group community, provides information on activities in support of Tibetan self-determination. Lists other related sites, as well.
Tibet Resource is an archive of Buddhist symbols and information about the Tibetan Collection at the University of Virginia.
Tibet Study Association contains information on the culture, history and tourism. Includes a map of Tibet. The site has not been updated for several years.
The US State Department Human Rights Report 2006: China discusses human rights issues in regions of China including, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau.

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