Bhutan
Kingdom of Bhutan
monarchyIndependence 8 August 1949 (from India)
Bhutan as the 2004 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
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. 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.
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 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes
- signed, but not ratified:
- Law of the Sea
Geography - note
- landlocked;
- strategic location between China and India;
- controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
People
19 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2004 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 39.3% (male 445,548; female 414,338)
- 15-64 years:
- 56.6% (male 637,637; female 600,253)
- 65 years and over:
- 4% (male 44,298; female 43,495) (2004 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:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.07 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Languages
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Government
Monarchy; King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Yeshey ZIMBA (since 20 August 2004)
18 fieldsAdministrative divisions
- 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
Constitution
- no written constitution or bill of rights;
- note - in 2001 the King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November 2004 presented a draft to the Council of Ministers
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; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
- head of government:
- Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Yeshey ZIMBA (since 20 August 2004)
- 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
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:
- local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)
- 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, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, 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;
- FAX [1] (212) 826-2998;
- 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.
35 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2002 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
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 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 the visits of upscale, environmentally conscientious visitors. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Exports - commodities
electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exchange rates
ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India;
- a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Military
Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia
7 fieldsMilitary manpower - military age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldDisputes - international
approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bhutan.” The World Factbook 2004. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bhutan/2004.