 |
ACD Country Profile |
 |
 |
Bhutan |
General Profile
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Area: total: 47,000 sq km.
land: 47,000 sq km.
water: 0 sq km.
Climate: Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and sawanna
Capital: Thimphu
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
Population: 2,232,291 (2005 est.)
Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), other 15%
Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese
Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Literacy: 42.2%
|
Political Profile
Government type: monarchy
Executive branch:
• chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since July 1972)
• head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Sangay NGEDUP (since 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
National Holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
ACD Member: ACD Member since 2004
Prime Mover (PM) on Working Group: None
Co-Prime Mover on Working Group: None
Bhutan government official web site : www.bhutan.gov.bt
|
Economical Profile
Currency (code): ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
GDP: $2.9 billion (2003 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,400 (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports - partners: Bangladesh , Japan , France
Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners: Germany , Japan , Austria , UK
Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgarins; dairy products, eggs
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Source : The World Fact Book 2005 (www.cia.gov) |
|
 |