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Tibet is a Plateau region in Central Asia and the indigenous home to the Tibetan people. With an average elevation of 4,900
meters (16,000 ft), it is the highest region on Earth and is commonly referred to as the "Roof of the World."
Tibet is today part of the People's Republic of China (PRC) (with a small part, depending on definitions, controlled by India). As an exclusive mandate, Tibet is also officially claimed by the Republic of China (Taiwan). In the Tibetan sovereignty debate, the government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Tibet in Exile disagree over when Tibet became a part of PR-China, and whether this incorporation into PR-China is legitimate according to international law.
King Songtsän Gampo united many parts of the region in the seventh century. From the early 1600s the Dalai Lamas, commonly known as spiritual leaders of the region, have been heads of a centralised Tibetan administration (at least nominally)[1], and are believed to be the emanations of Avalokiteśvara ("Chenrezig" [spyan ras gzigs] in Tibetan), the bodhisattva of compassion.
Between the 17th century and 1959, the Dalai Lama and his regents were the predominant political power administering religious and administrative authority[1] over large parts of Tibet from the traditional capital Lhasa, regarded as Tibet's holiest city.[citation needed] During the Qing Dynasty, the Qianlong emperor invaded Tibet and firmly established the Dalai Lama as ruler, with a Qing resident and garrison to preserve Manchu Suzerainty.
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