Geography

Traditionally, Western (European and American) sources have regarded Tibet as being in Central Asia, though today's maps show a trend toward considering all of modern China, including Tibet, to be part of East Asia. Tibet is west of the Central China plain, and within China, Tibet is regarded as part of west, a term usually translated by Chinese media as "the Western section", meaning "Western China".With an average elevation of over 4,000 m, Tibet is considered to be the highest region in the world and is often called the "Roof of the World." This comes as no surprise, especially since southern Tibet is located in the Himalayas, which contains many of the world's highest summits. In addition to it's incredible heights, Tibet is also one of the most isolated areas on earth, with most of the people living in elevations ranging from 1200 m to 5100 m. One of the most famous peaks found in Tibet is Mount Everest (8848 m), the highest mountain in the world.
Tibet with it's mountains is the source and dividing line of the Asian continent's major rivers, with the Brahmaputra being the most important. Many of the rivers in Tibet can be used for hydroelectricity, but this potential hasn't been developed as of yet.

 

Everest (8848 m), the highest mountain in the world.

(written by Xiaowei)

Religon

When we talk about mystery ,religion always play a significant role. As we all know there were lots mysterious story in the Bubble also do in Tibet.Tibet Buddhism is extremely important to the people and has a strong influence over all aspects of lives.The original Buddhism comes from India,after it comes to the Tibet, it experience lots change in hundred years.Finally it becomes the unique religion known as Tibetan Buddhism.With Han Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism, those are become the three systems in Buddhism. Just like Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church.Tibetan Buddhism is practiced not only in Tibet but also in Mongolia, parts of northern India, the Buryat Republic, the Tuva Republic, and in the Republic of Kalmykia and some other parts of China

My favorite mysterious part in Tibet Buddhism is Sands painting.Which also known a great action arts in my view. The monks usually spend over several month use sands to draw a huge picture which shows the world from Buddhism's eyes.After they complete the picture.They Destroy it by wind immediately. That is how Tibet Buddhist feel the "three thousands world" is just like dust.
http://niceartlife.com/?p=304

(written by Fang)

Culture

Tibetan representations of art are intrinsically bound with Tibetan Buddhist and commonly depict deities or variations of Buddha in various forms from bronze Buddhist statues and shrines, to highly colorful thangka paintings and mandalas.

Architecture

Tibetan architecture contains Chinese and Indian influences, and reflects a deeply Buddhist approach. The Buddhist wheel, along with two dragons, can be seen on nearly every Gompa in Tibet. The design of the Tibetan Chörtens can vary, from roundish walls in Kham to squarish, four-sided walls in Ladakh.
The most distinctive feature of Tibetan architecture is that many of the houses and monasteries are built on elevat. Little fuel is available for heat or lighting, so flat roofs are built to conserve heat, and multiple windows are constructed to let in sunlight. Walls are usually sloped inwards at 10 degrees as a precaution against the frequent earthquakes in this mountainous area.
Standing at 117 meters in height and 360 meters in width, the Potala Palace is the most important example of Tibetan architecture. It contains over one thousand rooms, and houses portraits of the past Dalai Lamas and statues of the Buddha. It is divided between the outer White Palace, which serves as the administrative quarters, and the inner Red Quarters, which houses the assembly hall of the Lamas, chapels, 10,000 shrines, and a vast library of Buddhist scriptures.

Festivals

Tibet has many festivals all the year. Losar is the Tibetan New Year Festival. The Monlam Prayer Festival is in the first month of the Tibetan calendar, falling on the fourth up to the eleventh day of the first Tibetan month. The event was established in 1049 by Tsong Khapa.

(written by Ziying)

Economy

The Tibetan economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture. Due to limited arable land, the primary occupation of the Tibetan Plateau is raising livestock, such as sheep, cattle, goats, camels, yaks, and horses. The main crops grown are barley, wheat, buckwheat, rye, potatoes, and assorted fruits and vegetables.In recent years, due to increased interest in Tibetan Buddhism, tourism has become an increasingly important sector, and is actively promoted by the authorities. Tourism brings in the most income from the sale of handicrafts. These include Tibetan hats, jewelry (silver and gold), wooden items, clothing, quilts, fabrics, Tibetan rugs and carpets.
Downtown Shigatse The Qingzang railway linking the Tibet Autonomous Region to Qinghai Province was opened in 2006, but not without controversy.
In January 2007, the Chinese government issued a report outlining the discovery of a large mineral deposit under the Tibetan Plateau. The deposit has an estimated value of $128 billion and may double Chinese reserves of zinc, copper, and lead. The Chinese government sees this as a way to alleviate the nation's dependence on foreign mineral imports for its growing economy. However, critics worry that mining these vast resources will harm Tibet's fragile ecosystem and undermine Tibetan culture.

http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/tibet/pro-economy.htm

(written by Qi)