Tibet has developed a unique culture in harmony with life in the harsh environment of the "Roof of the World"--the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayan mountain chain. While geographical isolation from European eyes led to its being seen by Westerners as a mysterious and otherworldly place, Tibet historically enjoyed a distinct identity among the community of nations in South and Central Asia. Here, leading historians examine aspects of Tibet's relations with it' 's neighboring states through the centuries up to the present day, and demonstrate the complex interplay of relationships between Tibet and the outside world. Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, British India, Russia, Nazi Germany, China, and the United States have all become