Covering an area of 27,335 square kilometers, Lhasa has a population of 400,000. Lhasa (the Roof of the World) situates in the middle of Tibet Autonomous Region and middle reaches of the Lhasa River. It is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the region. Its industries include electrical power, cement, hide processing, mechanical and electrical equipment, weaved carpet, and flour. There is no fog all the year round and with plenty of sunshine. Therefore, it is called "the Sunlight City". Of interest to visitors include Potala Palace, Jokhong Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Gandan Monastery, Norbulingka Park (the Summer Palace), and Parknor Street.
The Potala, which in Tibetan means "High Heavenly Realm," is named after a stone cliff on Cape Comorin at the southern tip of India. It was sacred to the Buddha of Compassion, whom the Indians worshipped as Avalokitesvara and the Tibetans believed to be Chenresik, who passed his spirit into the Dalai Lamas.