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Länder
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Background:
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In 1865, Britain and
Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive
an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British
India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three
years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to
interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to
direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India
after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the
areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies
the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense
and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in
Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United
Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In
March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft
constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and
pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. A referendum
date has yet to be named.
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Location:
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Southern Asia, between
China and India |
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Geographic coordinates:
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27 30 N, 90 30 E |
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Map references:
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Asia |
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Area:
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total: 47,000 sq
km
land: 47,000 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about half the size of
Indiana
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Land boundaries:
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total: 1,075 km
border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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varies; tropical in
southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe
winters and cool summers in Himalayas |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountainous with
some fertile valleys and savanna |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Drangme Chhu 97 m
highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber, hydropower,
gypsum, calcium carbonate |
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.3%
permanent crops: 0.43%
other: 97.27% (2005) |
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Irrigated land:
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400 sq km (2003) |
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Natural hazards:
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violent storms 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 |
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Environment - current issues:
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soil erosion; limited
access to potable water |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; strategic
location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan
mountain passes
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Population:
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2,279,723
note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2006 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 38.9%
(male 458,801/female 426,947)
15-64 years: 57.1% (male 671,057/female 631,078)
65 years and over: 4% (male 46,217/female 45,623) (2006 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 20.4 years
male: 20.2 years
female: 20.6 years (2006 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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2.1% (2006 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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33.65 births/1,000
population (2006 est.) |
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Death rate:
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12.7 deaths/1,000
population (2006 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000
population (2006 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05
male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2006 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 98.41
deaths/1,000 live births
male: 96.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 100.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population:
54.78 years
male: 55.02 years
female: 54.53 years (2006 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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4.74 children born/woman
(2006 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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less than 0.1% (2001
est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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less than 100 (1999 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Bhutanese
(singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese |
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Ethnic groups:
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Bhote 50%, ethnic
Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic
groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% |
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Religions:
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Lamaistic Buddhist 75%,
Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% |
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Languages:
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Dzongkha (official),
Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese
dialects |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15
and over can read and write
total population: 47%
male: 60%
female: 34% (2003 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long
form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan
local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
local short form: Druk Yul |
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Government type:
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monarchy; special treaty
relationship with India |
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Capital:
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name: Thimphu
geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 39 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time) |
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Administrative divisions:
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18 districts (dzongkhag,
singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug,
Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup
Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse |
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Independence:
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8 August 1949 (from
India) |
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National holiday:
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National Day (Ugyen
WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) |
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Constitution:
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no written constitution
or bill of rights; note - in 2001, the king commissioned the drafting of
a constitution, and in March 2005 publicly unveiled it; is awaiting
national referendum
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Legal system:
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based on Indian law and
English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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each family has one vote
in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature
passed a new election law |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state:
King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay
NGEDUP (since 5 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by
the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed,
five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi
Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic
reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the
monarch with two-thirds vote |
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Legislative branch:
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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)
elections: local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held
in 2008)
election results: NA |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court of Appeal
(the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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no legal parties |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Buddhist clergy; ethnic
Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian
merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) |
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International organization participation:
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AsDB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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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; FAX [1] (212)
826-2998; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in
the US
consulate(s) general: New York |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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the US and Bhutan have no
formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained
between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) |
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Flag description:
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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 |
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Economy - overview:
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The economy, one of the
world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and
forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 90% of the
population. 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 and dependence on India's financial assistance. 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. Model
education, social, and environment programs 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. For example, the government, in its
cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,
environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain
policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance
continue to hamper foreign investment. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$2.9 billion (2003 est.)
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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NA |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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5.3% (2003 est.) |
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$1,400 (2003 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 45%
industry: 10%
services: 45% (2002 est.) |
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Labor force:
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NA
note: major shortage of skilled labor |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 93%
industry: 2%
services: 5% |
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Unemployment rate:
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NA% |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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3% (2002 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $146
million
expenditures: $152 million; including capital expenditures of $NA
note: the government of India fi$NAnces nearly three-fifths of
Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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rice, corn, root crops,
citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs |
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Industries:
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cement, wood products,
processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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9.3% (1996 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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1.882 billion kWh (2003)
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 0.1%
hydro: 99.9%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
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Electricity - consumption:
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250.3 million kWh (2003)
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Electricity - exports:
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1.51 billion kWh (2003)
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Electricity - imports:
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10 million kWh (2003)
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2003) |
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Oil - consumption:
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1,100 bbl/day (2003 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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NA bbl/day |
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Oil - imports:
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NA bbl/day |
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Natural gas - production:
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0 cu m (2003 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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0 cu m (2003 est.) |
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Exports:
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$154 million f.o.b. (2000
est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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electricity (to India),
cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones,
spices |
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Exports - partners:
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Japan 33.2%, Germany
13.6%, France 13.5%, South Korea 7.8%, US 7.7%, Thailand 5.8%, Italy
5.1% (2005) |
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Imports:
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$196 million c.i.f. (2000
est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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fuel and lubricants,
grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice |
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Imports - partners:
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Hong Kong 68.4%, Mexico
20.8%, France 3.9% (2005) |
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Debt - external:
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$245 million (2000) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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substantial aid from
India and other nations |
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Currency (code):
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ngultrum (BTN); Indian
rupee (INR)
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Currency code:
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BTN; INR |
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Exchange rates:
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ngultrum per US dollar -
44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61 (2002), 47.186 (2001)
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Fiscal year:
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1 July - 30 June
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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32,700 (2005) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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22,000 (2005) |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment:
telecommunications facilities are poor
domestic: very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor
especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003
international: country code - 975; international telephone and
telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
satellite earth station - 1 (2005) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1
(2006)
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Radios:
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37,000 (1997) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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1 (2006) |
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Televisions:
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11,000 (1997) |
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Internet country code:
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.bt |
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Internet hosts:
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3 (2005) |
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
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NA |
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Internet users:
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20,000 (2005) |
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Airports:
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2 (2006) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) |
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Roadways:
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total: 8,050 km
paved: 4,991 km
unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)
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Military branches:
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Royal Bhutan Army: Royal
Bodyguard, Royal Bhutan Police (2005) |
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Military service age and obligation:
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18 years of age for
voluntary military service; no conscription (2001) |
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 18-49:
483,860
females age 18-49: 453,683 (2005 est.) |
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 18-49:
314,975
females age 18-49: 296,833 (2005 est.) |
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males age 18-49:
23,939
females age 18-49: 21,979 (2005 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$8.29 million (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1% (2005 est.) |
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Transnational Issues |
Bhutan |
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Disputes - international:
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approximately 105,000
Bhutanese have lived decades as refugees in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in
seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps; Bhutan
cooperates with India to expel Indian separatists |
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Information |
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