15 things you don't know about Tibet

1. The deadly protests this month over Chinese rule have played out on the Internet - as all things do now - China blocking YouTube.because it showed Tibetan protests; with Internet entrepreneur Rao Jin creating a site, anti-cnn.com, documenting perception of media bias China; with freetibet.org images of bodies of protesters killed.

2. Tibet is officially, and generally, known as Tibet Autonomous Region (part of the People's Republic of China). But the Tibetan Youth Congress objects. "(TAR), which is less than half the landmass of Tibet with only one-third of the total Tibetan population ... ."

3. Tibet is nicknamed "The Roof of the World." Having Mount Everest gives you that kind of cred.

4.. Total area, 470,920 square miles (roughly two-thirds the size of Alaska). Population, 2.6 million. Fast-moving rivers have hydroelectric potential. With over 1,000 lakes, Tibet boasts the largest number in China. Capital is Lhasa, with the gold-roofed Potala Palace, the Dalai Lama's former residence, now a museum.

5. China invaded in 1950. The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader and head of state, left in 1959; government in exile is in Dharamsala, India. Here Tibetan refugees have incorporated culture, celebrating Losar (Tibetan New Year), Dalai Lama's birthday

6. Most Tibetans practice a form of Mahayana Buddhism called Lamaism. "Dalai means "ocean of wisdom." The current 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was recognized as the incarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama (and named Lhamo Dhondup) at the age of 2. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

7. The Dalai Lama wants autonomy. Young activist Tibetans want independence. "Negotiations for autonomy have failed," said Tsewang Rigzin, president of the 30,000- member Tibetan Youth Congress.

8. Tibet supporters include Richard Gere, Goldie Hawn, Annie Lennox, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman.

9. The city of Sacramento announced the Dalai Lama will here in 2009. His Web he will be in Seattle April 12-15.

10. "Caddyshack" fans remember well Bill Murray's tale of caddying for the Lama: "He hauls off and one - big hitter, the Dalai Lama."

11. Traditonal apparel includes a long robe with long sleeves and high collar, and cold-weather clothes are made of wool, felt and sheepskin. Barley flour is the main food. Tibetans mix it with tea and butter. They're big on yaks for eating and riding and wearing.

12. Films on Tibet include Kundun," "Seven Years in Tibet," and "The Golden Child."

13. Check out Techung (Tashi Dhondup Sharzur), a singer/songwriter who lives in San Francisco and co-founded the Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company there in 1989. His most recent CD is Songs From Tibet" (2006).

14. A separate Olympic torch will be taken to the top of Mount Everest in May when the weather permits. The Olympic flame also will travel through Tibet June 19-20 as part of the 113-city relay covering all 31 Chinese provinces, special autonomous regions, and municipalities before the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Summer Games.

15. More than 150 Tibet organizations sent a letter to Coke demanding it withdraw its sponsorship of the Olympic torch relay. "You cannot, as a responsible American company, leave American values at the border in exchange for access to a lucrative market," said Jacob Colker, campaign manager for International Campaign for Tibet."

And one extra: Tibetans drink barley beer and Chinese tea which is often flavored with salt, soda and yak butter. They can also go for a good (very) cold one - with help from Carlsberg, Lhasa Brewery sells beer from the roof of the world."

Sources: BBC, World Book Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Britannica, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, NPR, amazon.com, imdb.com, techung.com, dalailama.com,freetibet.org, Bloomberg, Tibetan Youth Congress, Central Tibetan Administration, U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the China Internet Information Center, Bee research by Pete Basofin.