NAME:
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan
BACKGROUND:
In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some borderland. 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 defence and foreign relations.
LOCATION:
Southern Asia, between China and India
CLIMATE:
Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
POPULATION:
2,185,569 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
LABOUR FORCE - BY OCCUPATION:
Agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE:
NA
NATIONALITY:
Noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
LANGUAGES:
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
LITERACY:
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est
GOVERNMENT TYPE:
Monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
CAPITAL:
Thimphu
CURRENCY:
Ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
INDEPENDENCE:
8 August 1949 (from India)
EXECUTIVE BRANCH:
Chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972).Head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Yeshey ZIMBA (since 20 August 2004).
FLAG DISCRIPTION:
Divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centred along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
ECONOMY:
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 90% 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 dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type.
INDUSTRIES:
Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:
NA
COMMUNICATION:
Telephone, Radio, Television, Internet
TRANSPORTATION:
Railways, Roadways, Airports, Waterways
~Farooque Ali
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