| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Asia |
| Geographical Location |
27° 30' North Latitude
90° 30' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
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 Resources |
Timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate |
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| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Kingdom of Bhutan |
| Capital City |
Thimphu |
| Government Type |
Monarchy; special treaty relationship with India |
| Administrative 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 |
| Independence Day |
8 August 1949 (from India) |
|
| Demographical Information |
|
|
| Population |
2,232,291
note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Bhutanese |
| Ethnic Groups |
Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% |
| Religion |
Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% |
| Languages |
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects |
| Population Growth Rate |
2.11% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) |
| Industries |
Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide |
| Labor Force |
NA
note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5% |
| Agriculture Products |
Rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs |
| Export Commodities |
Electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices |
| Export Partners |
India 87.9%, Bangladesh 4.6%, Philippines 2% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice |
| Import Partners |
India 71.3%, Japan 7.8%, Austria 3% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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|
| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
4,007 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
2 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
- |
|
| Communication |
|
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| Phone Code |
+975 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.bt |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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. |
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