Bhutan
monarchyIndependence 8 August 1949 (from India)
Bhutan as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 95 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Southern Asia, between China and India
18 fieldsLand useshare of 47,000 sq km
Climate
- varies;
- tropical in southern plains;
- cool winters and hot summers in central valleys;
- severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
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 - international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban
- signed, but not ratified :
- Law of the Sea
Geography - note
- landlocked;
- strategic location between China and India;
- controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
People
16 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1997 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 40% (male 387,721; female 359,857)
- 15-64 years:
- 56% (male 536,797; female 507,551)
- 65 years and over:
- 4% (male 37,249; female 36,016) (July 1997 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.08 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 1.03 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Languages
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
People - note
refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps
Government
Monarchy; King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
19 fieldsAdministrative 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
Constitution
no written constitution or bill of rights note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly
Legal system
based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government
- head of government:
- King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) appointed by the king
note: there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the king
- elections :
- none; the king is a hereditary monarch
Legislative branch
unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 12 represent religious bodies, and 33 are designated by the king to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)
- elections:
- last held NA (next to be held NA)
- election results:
- NA
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Buddhist clergy;
- Indian merchant community;
- ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign
International organization participation
AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- none;
- note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Ugyen TSERING;
- 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
- consulate(s) general:
- New York
- honorary consulate(s):
- San Francisco; Washington, DC
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
22 fieldsEconomy - 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 small and 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; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare, but growth continues to be constrained by the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions.
Growth picked up in 1995 and the country's balance of payments remained strong with comfortable reserves. The cautious fiscal stance planned for FY95/96 suggests continued economic stability in 1996. However, excessive controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Labor force
NA; by occupation : agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: massive lack of skilled labor
Exports
- total value:
- $70.9 million (f.o.b., FY94/95 est.)
- commodities:
- cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
- partners:
- India 94%, Bangladesh
Imports
- total value:
- $113.6 million (c.i.f., FY94/95 est.)
- commodities :
- fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
- partners:
- India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Exchange rates
- ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 35.872 (January 1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992);
- note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee
Communications
6 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use
- international :
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Transportation
6 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia
7 fieldsTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bhutan.” The World Factbook 1997. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bhutan/1997.