Bhutan
Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan
monarchyIndependence 8 August 1949 (from India)
Bhutan as the 2001 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 112 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of these displaced persons are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions.
Geography
Southern Asia, between China and India
18 fieldsClimate
- varies;
- tropical in southern plains;
- cool winters and hot summers in central valleys;
- severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Land use
arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 66% other: 26% (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 - 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
18 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2001 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 39.99% (male 424,832; female 394,725) 15-64 years: 56.05% (male 591,152; female 557,498) 65 years and over: 3.96% (male 41,125; female 40,080) (2001 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: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 52.79 years male: 53.16 years female: 52.41 years (2001 est.)
Languages
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Monarchy
18 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 note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse
Constitution
- no written constitution or bill of rights;
- note - Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly;
- on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powers
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) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay NGEDUP (since NA 1999) 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 give the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote
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) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: NA
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, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)
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 consulate(s) general: New York
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
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.
32 fieldsElectricity
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 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. 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.
Budget
revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.) note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures
Exports - commodities
cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
Exchange rates
- ngultrum per US dollar - 46.540 (January 2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996);
- note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee which is also legal tender
Communications
10 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India;
- a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Transportation
7 fieldsMilitary
Royal Bhutan Army, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Body Guards, Forest Guards (paramilitary)
7 fieldsMilitary branches
Royal Bhutan Army, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Body Guards, Forest Guards (paramilitary)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldDisputes - international
refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 98,700 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bhutan.” The World Factbook 2001. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bhutan/2001.