Introduction to Tibet


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Tibet  is a region in Asia covering much of the Tibetan Plateau. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people (as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpa, Tamang, Qiang, Sherpa, and Lhoba peoples and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han Chinese and Hui people. Tibet is the highest region on Earth, the highest being Mount Everest, Earth’s highest mountain.

The Tibetan Empire emerged in the 7th century, but with the fall of the empire the region soon divided into a variety of territories. The bulk of western and central Tibet (Ü-Tsang) was often at least nominally unified under a series of Tibetan governments in Lhasa, Shigatse, or nearby locations; these governments were at various times under Mongol and Chinese overlordship. Thus Tibet remained a suzerainty of the Mongol and later Chinese rulers in Nanjing and Beijing, with reasonable autonomy given to the Tibetan leaders. The eastern regions of Kham and Amdo often maintained a more decentralized indigenous political structure, being divided among a number of small principalities and tribal groups, while also often falling more directly under Chinese rule after the Battle of Chamdo; most of this area was eventually incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai. The current borders of Tibet were generally established in the 18th century.

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The Tibetan flag, also known as the "snow lion flag" and the "Free Tibet flag," was a flag of the military of Tibet, introduced by the 13th Dalai Lama in 1912 and used in the same capacity until 1959. Designed with the help of a Japanese priest, it reflects the design motif of the Japanese military's Rising Sun flag.The Tibetan flag, also known as the "snow lion flag" and the "Free Tibet flag," was a flag of the military of Tibet, introduced by the 13th Dalai Lama in 1912 and used in the same capacity until 1959. Designed with the help of a Japanese priest, it reflects the design motif of the Japanese military's Rising Sun flag.

The Tibetan flag, also known as the “snow lion flag” and the “Free Tibet flag,” was a flag of the military of Tibet, introduced by the 13th Dalai Lama in 1912 and used in the same capacity until 1959. Designed with the help of a Japanese priest, it reflects the design motif of the Japanese military’s Rising Sun flag.

Quickfacts:

  • Name: Tibet (Tibetan: བོད་, Lhasa dialect: [/pʰøː˨˧˩/]; Chinese: 西藏; pinyin: Xīzàng)

  • Language: Tibetan, Dzongkha, Sikkimese, Sherpa, and Ladakhi.

  • Population: 3,180,000 (2014)

  • Location: Asia, Himalayan Plateau

Learn more:

  • Independence Movement

  • Facts & Figures

  • Flag

  • People and Culture

  • Watersheds and Ecoregions