Geography

The Tibetan geography consists of soaring mountains, turquoise lakes and the origin of world’s famous rivers like Bramhaputra and Yangtze. Often called “the roof of the world” the highland wide plains over 4950m are frequently seen in Tibet. The wide deserted plains with the colossal mountains in the backdrop are ubiquitous in Tibet.
Central China Plain, lies on the west and the Kashmir Region of India lies on the west to Tibet. Tibet shares its southern borders with Nepal, India and Bhutan. Major regions of Tibet situate atop the Tibetan Plateau which includes the huge section of Himalayan.

Culture and religion
Tibet’s culture is totally immersed into the religious practices people practice here. For ages Tibetan culture is so much connected to Tibetan Buddhism and hence Tibet has developed a sole, spiritual and peaceful culture with Buddhism at its heart. Lives of Tibetans are totally into Tibetan Buddhism, which features intricate rituals and advanced idealistic discussion. The faith in reincarnation and the part of Lamas are also elementary aspects of this school of Buddhism. Lamas are spiritual teachers, often reincarnations of former Lamas. However, the influence of Mahayana Buddhism, tantric Buddhism and indigenous shamanistic religion of the Himalayas Bon Buddhism are clearly visible in the Tibetan culture. The elders in Tibet are respected within the family and the arranged marriages are widely practiced till the day. The dough made by the barley flour is the staple food in Tibet whereas, with the global link these days blend of local cuisines and western food are available in the restaurants of Tibet. There are places in Tibet, untouched by external culture also the places affected by Chinese culture. The most important festival in Tibet is the Tibetan New Year, People begin preparing for this festival upon entering the 12th Tibetan month, with sacrifices being presented on the altar of their deities and special foods delicately made to welcome the coming year.

History
Modern man first settled down in Tibetan plateau twenty one thousand years ago. Tibetan history is focused on Buddhism throughout which played the vital role for the development of Mongol and Manchu cultures in Tibet. History suggests that the natives of Tibet were the Buddhist monks. The influence of ancient civilization of India and China in Tibet is because of its geographical location. Linguistics believed that the Tibetan dialect belongs to Tibeto-Burman language family. The Bon religion came to Tibet from its original home Amdo now a Guge Kingdom in Western Tibet. Tibet went through series of invasions which includes Mongol Invasion and Phgmodru Invasion before the rise of Dalai Lama and Gelugpa Schools in 16th century. During the sixteenth century the Portuguese influence led by Antonio de Andrade existed in Tibet. Prior to becoming the Autonomous region of PR of China Tibet suffered the Gurkha Invasion in 18th and British Invasion in 19th centuries respectively.