TIBET

Location: situated in the southwest of China
Area: 1,220,000 sq km
Capital: Lhasa
Neighboring Countries: India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Burma

Population: 2.62 million (March 2001)
Urban Population: 250,000

Ethnic Groups: Tibetan, Han, Moinba, Ihoba and Hui

Tourist Attractions: Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tashilhunpo Temple in Shigatse, Mt. Everest in Tinggri

Climate: Tibetan winters, as might be supposed, are fiercely cold. But for half the year, strong sunlight warms the thin air, making most days in Lhasa comfortably mild and, owing to protective mountains, relatively windless. Summer temperatures hover above 30Cº (high-80s F) and only to drop to a searing -23Cº (-10'F) in midwinter. The best time to visit is from late spring to early fall.