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The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small Himalayan country east of Nepal, nestled between China and India, with an estimated population of 700,000. Three years ago, Bhutan celebrated the wedding of monarch Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to 21-year-old commoner Jetsun Pema.

The deeply traditional nation has been slow to adopt modern development; a country-wide ban on television and the Internet was only lifted in 1999.

Bhutan, often rated as one of the happiest countries in the world (Shangri-La), is the birthplace of the concept of "gross national happiness," an alternative to the more traditional measure of gross domestic product.

The popular Oxford-educated king is now seeking to strengthen ties with other nations while preserving as much of Bhutan's independence and culture as possible. Collected here are images of people and places within the Kingdom of Bhutan.

The Paro Taktsang Palphug Buddhist monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, in the Paro district of Bhutan.

School children react to a photographer through the window of their classroom in a school in Thimphu, Bhutan.

The Himalayan Mount Jomolhari -- or Chomolhari -- seen from the Chilela pass situated between the Bhutanese valleys of Paro and Haa.

A Bhutanese Buddhist Monk wears a mask as he prepares himself during a rehearsal for a dance to be performed during the wedding festivities of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and future Queen Jetsun Pema.

Bhutanese shopkeepers prepare a large banner of the King and future Queen, before hanging it on their storefront in the capital of Thimphu, Bhutan.

An elderly woman watches from a balcony in Bhutan's capital Thimphu.

Ceremonial Dancers wait for His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to come out of the wedding ceremony, on October 13, 2011.

Guests and locals take part ina dance, or Tashi Labay, during wedding celebrations of Bhutan's King Jigme at the main stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on October 15, 2011.

Bhutan's King center, and Queen Jetsun, behind him, dance the traditional dance with guests at the main stadium.

Marchang (a traditional drink) is offered to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Ashi Jetsun at the Chang Lime Thang stadium.

Buddhist monks perform a sacred dance during wedding celebrations of Bhutan's King and Queen.

People watch the dancing during the wedding celebrations.

Bhutan's King kisses Queen Jetsun Pema in front of thousands of residents gathered for the third day of their wedding ceremony.

School girls holding Bhutan's national flags race down a hill to line-up with thousands of others gathered to see the King and Queen .

People wait on the main street for the arrival of the Royal Couple.

King Jigme holds a young child as he greets locals with Queen Jetsun Pema during a celebration.

A Bhutanese man walks past prayer flags at Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest.

A statue of Buddha, after a snowfall in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Novice monks at the Dechen Phrodrang Buddhist monastery look down from a hilltop in Bhutan's capital Thimphu.

The former administrative center of Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan's largest buildings, is seen in Punakha.

Sangey, 6, reads during class at the Dechen Phodrang monastery.

A man in Bhutanese national dress standing on a hill top looking towards the Paro valley.

Buddhist monks stand inside the complex of Tashichhodzong, also known as the "The Fortress of the Glorious Religion".

A boy reacts to the camera during recess at a school in Kamji village.

Traditional paintings on part of a bridge overlooking the weekend market in the capital city of Thimphu.

Traditionally dressed students of Yangchenphug higher secondary school wait to perform during the rehearsals for their annual concert in Thimphu.

Novice Bhutanese monks Sangey, 6, Tenzin, 7, Tandin, 4, and Pembar, 10, rest after hours of prayer.