Church and state entwine in Bhutan, where King Jigme Singye Wangchuck [at left] wears a yellow scarf, a symbol of his authority, as he consults with Buddhist leaders on matters of public policy. His audience this day: the four lopons, or masters, of the central monastic body in Bhutan.

"Only through a blend of tradition and modernity can we enhance the quality of life of our people," declares the 35-year-old monarch, a hands-on ruler who speaks flawless English and used to play a decidedly un-Bhutanese sport—basketball—in his spare time.

—From "Bhutan: Kingdom in the Clouds," May 1991, National Geographic magazine