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 to British India. 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 to Bhutan the areas annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. The disposition of some 43,000 Bhutanese refugees - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.

Southern Asia, between China and India

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Asia

total: 38,394 sq km
country comparison to the world: 137
land: 38,394 sq km
water: 0 sq km

about one-half the size of Indiana

total: 1,075 km
border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m
highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

arable land: 2.49%
permanent crops: 0.46%
other: 97.06% (2011)

319.1 sq km (2010)

78 cu km (2011)

total: 0.34 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
per capita: 458 cu m/yr (2008)

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

soil erosion; limited access to potable water

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese

Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26%

Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

725,296 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 102,991/female 98,730)
15-24 years: 20.6% (male 76,202/female 73,273)
25-54 years: 39.9% (male 155,216/female 134,363)
55-64 years: 5.7% (male 22,295/female 19,285)
65 years and over: 5.9% (male 22,546/female 20,395) (2013 est.)

total dependency ratio: 48.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 41.8 %
elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 %
potential support ratio: 14 (2013)

total: 25.7 years
male: 26.3 years
female: 25.1 years (2013 est.)

1.15% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

18.43 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

urban population: 35.6% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.65% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

THIMPHU (capital) 99,000 (2011)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.16 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female
total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

180 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 59

total: 39.97 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 57
male: 40.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 39.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total population: 68.44 years
country comparison to the world: 159
male: 67.54 years
female: 69.38 years (2013 est.)

2.07 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

65.6% (2010)

4.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 162

0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)

0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2013)

5.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 154

12.7% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 59

4.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 83

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.8%
male: 65%
female: 38.7% (2005 est.)

total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2011)

total number: 25,801
percentage: 18 % (2010 est.)

total: 7.2%
country comparison to the world: 127
male: 7.3%
female: 7.2% (2012)

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan
local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
local short form: Druk Yul

constitutional monarchy

name: Thimphu
geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 38 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)

National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)

previous (various royal decrees); first constitution drafted November 2001 - March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008 (2011)

civil law based on Buddhist religious law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him; the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new king, who had limited experience, deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of his father
head of government: Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since July 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Zhungtshog) nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister

elections: the monarchy is hereditary, but the 2008 constitution grants the Parliament authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008

bicameral Parliament or Chi Tshog consists of the non-partisan National Council or Gyelyong Tshogde (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 administrative districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members appointed by the king); and the National Assembly or Tshogdu (47 seats; members nominated by the two parties and elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: National Council elections last held on 23 April 2013 (next to be held in 2017); National Assembly elections (first round) last held on 31 May 2013; second round held on 13 July 2013
election results: National Council - independents 20; note - all candidates ran as independents; National Assembly - first round poll held on 31 May 2013 - percent of vote by party - DPT 44.52%; PDP 32.53%; DNT 17.04%; DCT 5.9%; second round poll held on 13 July 2013 - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.88%, DPT 45.12%; seats by party - PDP 32, DPT 15

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch in consultation with the National Judicial Commission; other judges appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts

Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]; Druk Nymrub Tshogpa or DNT; Druck Chirwang Tshogpa or DCT

United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled)
other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community

ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; the permanent representative to the UN is Lhatu WANGCHUK (since January 2009); address: 343 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551
consulate(s) general: New York

the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)

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; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the emblem of the nation; its white color stands for purity and the jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent spiritual and secular powers within Bhutan: the orange is associated with Buddhism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty

thunder dragon known as Druk

name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
note: adopted 1953

Bhutan's economy, small and less developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 40% 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 is dependent 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. 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 visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. The import of equipment and fuel to build hydropower plants is leading to large trade and current account deficits, though new hydropower projects and electricity exports to India are creating employment and will probably sustain growth in the coming years. GDP has rebounded strongly since the global recession began in 2008.

$4.88 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
note: data are in 2012 US dollars

$2.137 billion (2012 est.)

9.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

$6,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
note: data are in 2012 US dollars

household consumption: 38.8%
government consumption: 21.5%
investment in fixed capital: 60.5%
investment in inventories: 0.3%
exports of goods and services: 32.1%
imports of goods and services: -53.2%

agriculture: 14.7%
industry: 41.8%
services: 39% (2012 est.)

rice, corn, root crops, citrus; dairy products, eggs

cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism

12.4%
country comparison to the world: 9

299,900
country comparison to the world: 165
note: major shortage of skilled labor (2008)

agriculture: 43.7%
industry: 39.1%
services: 17.2% (2004 est.)

4% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 32

23.2% (2008)

lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 37.6% (2003)

revenues: $615.7 million
expenditures: $651.2 million
note: the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2012 est.)

28.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

-1.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

44.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

1 July - 30 June

10.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

NA%

14% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

$191.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178

$1.018 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

$874.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156

$NA

$-311.6 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

$721.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil

$1.28 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice

$1.275 billion (2011)
country comparison to the world: 153

$63.5 million
country comparison to the world: 104

ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar -

7.23 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108

1.68 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

5.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

20 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

1.505 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

1.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

98.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 110

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

1,719 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156

1,998 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 118

335,700 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

27,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 179

560,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 165

general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is poor especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2012)

state-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)

.bt

14,590 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 126

50,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 174

2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 198

total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

total: 8,050 km
country comparison to the world: 140
paved: 4,991 km (includes 622 km of expressways)
unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)

Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2012)

males age 16-49: 202,407
females age 16-49: 180,349 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49: 157,664
females age 16-49: 144,861 (2010 est.)

male: 7,363
female: 7,095 (2010 est.)