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.

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

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide

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

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

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

Birth rate: 38 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 17 deaths/1000 population (1989)

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

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

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)

Literacy: 5%

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

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

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

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 description: 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

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.

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:

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

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

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%

Debt external: $39.3 million (March 1988)

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

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

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: NA

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