Statistical information Bhutan 1989Bhutan

Map of Bhutan | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year:  | More stats

Bhutan in the World
Bhutan in the World

Air Serbia


Bhutan - Introduction 1989
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Background: 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.


Bhutan - Geography 1989
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Location

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

Area

Land boundaries: 1,075 km total; China 470 km, India 605 km

Coastline: none - landlocked

Maritime claims: none - landlocked

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 savanna

Elevation

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Land use

Land use: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 5% meadows and pastures; 70% forest and woodland; 23% other

Irrigated land

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards

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


Bhutan - People 1989
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Population: 1,534,122 (July 1989), growth rate 2.0% (1989)

Nationality: noun - Bhutanese (sing., pl.; adjective - Bhutanese

Ethnic groups: 60% Bhote, 25% ethnic Nepalese, 15% indigenous or migrant tribes

Languages: Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects - most widely spoken dialect is Dzongkha (official; Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Religions: 75% Lamaistic Buddhism, 25% Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism

Demographic profile
Age structure

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate

Birth rate: 38 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 17 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas were the source of the country name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: 139 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 47 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1989)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy: 5%

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


Bhutan - Government 1989
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Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan

Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Capital: Thimphu; Paro Dzong is the administrative capital

Administrative divisions: 3 regions and 1 division*; Central Bhutan, Eastern Bhutan, Southern Bhutan*, Western Bhutan; note - there may now be 18 districts (dzong, singular and plural) named Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdiphodrang

Dependent areas

Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India)

National holiday: National Day (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)

Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights

Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; in 1907 the monarch assumed full power; in 1968-69 a separate judiciary that provided for local, district, and national courts with appellate jurisdiction was established; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: each family has one vote

Executive branch: Chief of State and Head of Government - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)

Legislative branch: Royal Bhutan Army

Judicial branch

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: ADB, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IMF, NAM, SAARC, UNESCO, UPU, UN, WHO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India; the Bhutanese mission to the UN in New York has consular jurisdiction in the US

Flag descriptionflag of Bhutan: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage


Bhutan - Economy 1989
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Economy overview: The economy is based on agriculture and forestry that provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 50% of GDP. One of the world's least developed countries, rugged mountains dominate and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are its most important natural resources.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate

Real gdp per capita

Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture products: accounts for 50% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animal husbandry; produces rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy, and eggs; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains

Industries: cement, chemical products, mining, distilling, food processing, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: - 6.0% (1986)

Labor force:
NA; 95% agriculture, 1%
industry and commerce; massive lack of skilled labor (1983)

Labor force

Unemployment rate

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget: revenues $105 million; expenditures $110 million, including capital expenditures of $67 million (FY88)

Taxes and other revenues

Public debt

Revenue

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

Inflation rate consumer prices

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance

Exports: $60.8 million (f.o.b., FY88)
Commodities: cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit
Partners: India 99%

Imports: $105.1 million (c.i.f., FY88)
Commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics
Partners: India 75%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external: $39.3 million (March 1988)

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 13.100 ngultrums (January 1988), 13.134 (1987), 12.611 (1986), 12.367 (1985)


Bhutan - Energy 1989
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Electricity
Capacity: 353,000 kW capacity; 2,000 million kWh produced, 1,300 kWh per capita (1988)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


Bhutan - Communication 1989
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Telephones

Telephone system

Broadcast media

Internet

Broadband fixed subscriptions


Bhutan - Military 1989
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Military expenditures
Dollar figure: NA

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


Bhutan - Transportation 1989
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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals


Bhutan - Transnational issues 1989
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Disputes international

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs


Qatar Airways


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