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Bhutan
Background: Under British influence a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later a treaty was signed whereby the country became a British protectorate. Independence was attained in 1949, with India subsequently guiding foreign relations and supplying aid.
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E Map references: Asia Area:
Area - comparative: about half the size of Indiana Land boundaries:
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Elevation extremes:
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide Land use:
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water Environment - international agreements:
Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Population:
2,005,222
Age structure:
Population growth rate: 2.19% (2000 est.) Birth rate: 36.22 births/1,000 population (2000 est.) Death rate: 14.32 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.) Sex ratio:
Infant mortality rate: 110.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
Total fertility rate: 5.13 children born/woman (2000 est.) Nationality:
Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy:
People - note: refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 96,500 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps
Country name:
Data code: BT Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king) Constitution:
no written constitution or bill of rights
Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Executive branch:
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)
Judicial branch: the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; High Court, judges appointed by the monarch Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
Economy - overview: The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 40% of GDP. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.1 billion (1999 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (1999 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,060 (1999 est.) GDP - composition by sector:
Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1998) Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget:
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1996 est.) Electricity - production: 1.788 billion kWh (1998) Electricity - production by source:
Electricity - consumption: 345 million kWh (1998) Electricity - exports:
1.339 billion kWh
Electricity - imports: 21 million kWh (1998) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Exports: $111 million (f.o.b., 1998) Exports - commodities: cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices Exports - partners: India 94%, Bangladesh Imports: $136 million (c.i.f., 1998) Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Imports - partners: India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US Debt - external: $120 million (1998) Economic aid - recipient: $73.8 million (1995) Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal tender Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 43.552 (January 2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system:
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 37,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997) Televisions: 11,000 (1997) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
Railways: 0 km Highways:
Ports and harbors: none Airports: 2 (1999 est.) Airports - with paved runways:
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia, Royal Police Force Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability:
Military manpower - fit for military service:
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Disputes - international: over approximately 96,500 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal Please click here for a guide to the country profiles Click here for all other countries
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