Bhutan is a kingdom in the Himalayan mountains between India and Tibet. A former British protectorate, Britain did not colonize Bhutan, but controlled its foreign affairs until 1949. Tibet and Bhutan histories were intertwined for centuries. Tibet introduced Buddhism, the state religion. Its symbols appear on many Bhutan stamps. The country’s first stamp was issued in 1962, and since then it has produced an array of original stamps, including many beautiful souvenir sheets. A neat 1973 set consists of tiny plastic phonograph records containing Bhutanese history and its national anthem. In 2008, compact discs in sealed envelopes appeared on souvenir sheets. Silver and gold foils, silk, coin stamps – a super-interesting country to collect and explore!