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Bhutan Index
One of Bhutan's significant natural resources in the
late
twentieth century was its rich forests and natural
vegetation.
Bhutan's location in the eastern Himalayas, with its
subtropical
plains and alpine terrain, gives it more rainfall than its
neighbors to the west, a factor greatly facilitating
forest growth.
The forests contain numerous deciduous and evergreen
species,
ranging from tropical hardwoods to predominantly oak and
pine
forests.
The small population and the general absence of
overdevelopment
in Bhutan contributed to forest preservation. Because of
the
terrain, the more accessible forests had been overcut
whereas
remote forests remained largely in their natural state. A
progressive government-sponsored forestry conservation
policy
strove to balance revenue needs with ecological
considerations,
water management, and soil preservation. Success in
managing its
forest resources had long been critical to the local
environment
and economy and also affected downstream floodplains in
India and
Bangladesh.
The Department of Forestry was established in 1952 to
oversee
conservation and exploitation of the country's significant
forestry
resources. After an initial decade of development,
forestryresource exploitation increased with the start of the
First
Development Plan in 1961. Uncontrolled felling of trees in
the
1970s by private companies in logging areas and by rural
populations along roads and in main valleys stripped
hillsides and
caused serious erosion. Tsheri cultivation, forest
fires,
and overgrazing also contributed to the degradation of the
forestry
resource.
In 1971 the Forestry School was established at
Kalikhola in
southern Bhutan. It was moved to Taba in the northern
Thimphu
Valley in 1977. The school provided basic instruction in
forestry
and forest management and trained foresters and Forest
Guards
(see Paramilitary
, this ch.).
In 1981 some 3.3 million hectares, or between 70 and 74
percent
of the land, were forested, but in 1991 foreign estimates
indicated
a shrinking forest of only 60 to 64 percent of the land.
Even more
conservative estimates indicated that closer to 50 percent
of
Bhutan's territory still was forested in the late 1980s,
and about
15 percent of GDP was produced through the nation's
important
forest industry.
According to UN statistics, in the decade between 1978
and 1987
Bhutan harvested an average of nearly 3.2 million cubic
meters of
roundwood and produced 5,000 cubic meters of sawn wood per
year. Of
this total, nearly 80 percent was for commercial use
(paper pulp,
veneers, plywood, particle board, and firewood), and the
remainder
was for housing construction and public works.
Before hydroelectric power and other modern energy
sources were
available, wood was the almost exclusive source of fuel
for
heating, cooking, and lighting. The provision of
electricity, as
well as better regulation of fuelwood collectors and more
aggressive reforestation projects, was seen in the 1980s
as a key
factor in forest conservation. Because affordable
electricity was
not available throughout the country, the government
established
fuelwood plantations near villages to accommodate daily
needs and
to promote forest conservation.
Recognizing the potential value of its forestry
resource,
Bhutan became increasingly conscientious about forestry
management
in the 1970s. Starting in 1977, the World Wildlife Fund
began
supporting Bhutan's forest management through organizing
forest
ranger training programs, supplying funds for forest
boundary
demarcation, building guard posts, and constructing a
patrol road
for what was later to be designated the Royal Manas
National Park.
Bhutan rejected World Bank aid to build a major dam on the
Manas
Chhu in 1986 that would have flooded this major
conservation area
on the southern Bhutan-India border. By 1989 Bhutan had
developed
nine other forest and wildlife preserves, also mostly
along the
southern border with India.
In the face of increasing denuded hillsides, private
logging
was banned, and strict standards for public-sector logging
operations were established in 1979. Farmers were warned
against
burning off forests to clear land for tsheri
cultivation,
and Forest Guards were trained in increasing numbers to
help
preserve the valuable resources. Surveying, demarcation,
conservation, and management plans for harvesting forest
products
were part of the Fifth Development Plan's focus on
forestry
preservation. Wildlife sanctuaries also were developed.
One of the
immediate results of forestry sector regulation, however,
was a
sharp decrease in revenues since the late 1970s. In 1991
the
government, with assistance from UNDP and the World
Wildlife Fund,
established a trust fund for environmental conservation.
Initially
in the amount of US$20 million, the UNDP-administered fund
was
aimed at producing up to US$1 million per year for
training in
forestry and ecology, surveying forests, reviewing and
implementing
management plans for protected areas, and supporting
government
environmental offices, public awareness programs, and
integrated
conservation and development programs.
Data as of September 1991
- Bhutan-Entering the Outside World, 1972-86
- Bhutan-Festivals
- Bhutan-Banking and Credit
- Bhutan-Foreign Relations
- Bhutan-Climate
- Bhutan-Local Government
- Bhutan-Strategic Location NATIONAL SECURITY, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-River Systems
- Bhutan-Paramilitary
- Bhutan-Mining
- Bhutan-SOCIETY
- Bhutan-Forestry
- Bhutan-Political Developments
- Bhutan-Judiciary
- Bhutan-GEOGRAPHY
- Bhutan-Establishment of the Hereditary Monarchy, 1907
- Bhutan-Marriage and Family Life
- Bhutan-Legal System
- Bhutan-Table B - Bhutan: Chronology of Important Events
- Bhutan-Education
- Bhutan -COUNTRY PROFILE: BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Monetary System
- Bhutan-Administrative Integration and Conflict with Tibet, 1651- 1728
- Bhutan-Labor Force
- Bhutan-Participation in International Organizations
- Bhutan-Glaciers
- Bhutan-British Intrusion, 1772-1907
- Bhutan-Theocratic Government, 1616-1907
- Bhutan-Other Countries
- Bhutan-Preface
- Bhutan-Forest Guards
- Bhutan-Civil Service
- Bhutan-The Media
- Bhutan-Structure of the Government
- Bhutan-Population
- Bhutan-Forward
- Bhutan-Budgets
- Bhutan-Transportation and Communications
- Bhutan-Civil Aviation
- Bhutan-The Monarchy GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-India
- Bhutan-The Land
- Bhutan-Energy
- Bhutan-China
- Bhutan-Health
- Bhutan-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- Bhutan-INTRODUCTION
- Bhutan-Civil Conflict, 1728-72
- Bhutan-NATIONAL SECURITY
- Bhutan-Trade
- Bhutan-Fisheries
- Bhutan-Foreign Economic Relations
- Bhutan-Bon
- Bhutan-Foreign Debt
- Bhutan-Irrigation and Fertilization
- Bhutan-Arrival of Buddhism
- Bhutan-Legal Basis
- Bhutan
- Bhutan-Rivalry among the Sects
- Bhutan-Languages
- Bhutan-Religious Tradition
- Bhutan-Tourism
- Bhutan-Legislature
- Bhutan-Agriculture
- Bhutan-Commerce
- Bhutan-Government-Owned Corporations
- Bhutan
- Bhutan-Origins and Early Settlement, A.D - 600-1600 HISTORICAL SETTING, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Bhutan
- Bhutan-Modernization under Jigme Dorji, 1952-72
- Bhutan-The Economic Context THE ECONOMY, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Acknowledgments
- Bhutan-CHAPTER 6 - BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Police Force
- Bhutan-Housing
- Bhutan-Role of the Government
- Bhutan-ECONOMY
- Bhutan-Hinduism and Islam
- Bhutan-Farming
- Bhutan-Animal Husbandry
- Bhutan-Role of Women
- Bhutan-Executive
- Bhutan-Development of Centralized Government, 1926-52
- Bhutan-Posts and Telecommunications
- Bhutan-Penal Code
- Bhutan-Geography THE SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Social System
- Bhutan-Industry, Mining, Energy, and Commerce
- Bhutan-Armed Forces
Background | | 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 the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to 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. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008.
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Location | | Southern Asia, between China and India
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Area(sq km) | | total: 38,394 sq km land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km
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Geographic coordinates | | 27 30 N, 90 30 E
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Land boundaries(km) | | total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
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Coastline(km) | | 0 km (landlocked)
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Climate | | varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
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Elevation extremes(m) | | lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
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Natural resources | | timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
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Land use(%) | | arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005)
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Irrigated land(sq km) | | 400 sq km (2003)
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Total renewable water resources(cu km) | | 95 cu km (1987)
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Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) | | total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)
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Natural hazards | | 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
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Environment - current issues | | soil erosion; limited access to potable water
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Environment - international agreements | | 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
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Geography - note | | landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
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Population | | 691,141 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 (July 2009 est.)
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Age structure(%) | | 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2009 est.)
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Median age(years) | | total: 23.9 years male: 24.5 years female: 23.3 years (2009 est.)
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Population growth rate(%) | | 1.267% (2009 est.)
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Birth rate(births/1,000 population) | | 20.07 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
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Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) | | 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
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Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population) | | NA
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Urbanization(%) | | urban population: 35% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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Sex ratio(male(s)/female) | | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
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Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) | | total: 49.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth(years) | | total population: 66.13 years male: 65.33 years female: 66.97 years (2009 est.)
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Total fertility rate(children born/woman) | | 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.)
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Nationality | | noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
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Ethnic groups(%) | | Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
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Religions(%) | | Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
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Languages(%) | | Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
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Country name | | conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul
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Government type | | constitutional monarchy
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Capital | | name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Administrative divisions | | 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
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Constitution | | ratified 18 July 2008
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Legal system | | based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage | | 18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch | | 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 this father head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) 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 elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister
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Legislative branch | | bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2
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Judicial branch | | Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court that will serve as chief court of appeal
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Political pressure groups and leaders | | United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled) other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community
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International organization participation | | 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, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
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Flag description | | 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
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Economy - overview | | 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 60% 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. 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. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth, even though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of a slowdown in India, its predominant export market. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years.
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GDP (purchasing power parity) | | $3.533 billion (2008 est.) $2.91 billion (2007 est.) $2.738 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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GDP (official exchange rate) | | $1.389 billion (2008 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate(%) | | 21.4% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.5% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP) | | $5,200 (2008 est.) $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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GDP - composition by sector(%) | | agriculture: 22.3% industry: 37.9% services: 39.8% (2006)
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Labor force | | NA note: major shortage of skilled labor
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Labor force - by occupation(%) | | agriculture: 63% industry: 6% services: 31% (2004 est.)
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Unemployment rate(%) | | 2.5% (2004)
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Population below poverty line(%) | | 31.7% (2003)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share(%) | | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
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Budget | | revenues: $272 million expenditures: $350 million note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) | | 4.9% (2007 est.)
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Stock of money | | $NA (31 December 2008) $381.1 million (31 December 2007)
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Stock of quasi money | | $NA (31 December 2008) $220.3 million (31 December 2007)
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Stock of domestic credit | | $NA (31 December 2008) $169.9 million (31 December 2007)
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Market value of publicly traded shares | | $NA
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Economic aid - recipient | | $941.2 million; note - substantial aid from India (2006)
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Public debt(% of GDP) | | 81.4% of GDP (2004) 81.4% of GDP (2004)
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Agriculture - products | | rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
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Industries | | cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism
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Industrial production growth rate(%) | | NA
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Current account balance | | $116 million (2007 est.)
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Exports | | $350 million (2006)
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Exports - commodities(%) | | electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
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Exports - partners(%) | | India 89%, Bangladesh 6.5%, Italy 1.2% (2008)
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Imports | | $320 million (2006)
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Imports - commodities(%) | | fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
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Imports - partners(%) | | India 59.5%, Japan 13.4%, China 5.6% (2008)
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Debt - external | | $713.3 million (2006)
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Exchange rates | | ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee
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Currency (code) | | ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
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Telephones - main lines in use | | 27,500 (2008)
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Telephones - mobile cellular | | 251,000 (2008)
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Telephone system | | general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008)
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Internet country code | | .bt
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Internet users | | 40,000 (2008)
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Airports | | 2 (2009)
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Roadways(km) | | total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)
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Military branches | | Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)
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Military service age and obligation(years of age) | | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
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Manpower available for military service | | males age 16-49: 190,104 females age 16-49: 167,289 (2008 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service | | males age 16-49: 150,210 females age 16-49: 135,991 (2009 est.)
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Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually | | male: 7,668 female: 7,379 (2009 est.)
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Military expenditures(% of GDP) | | 1% of GDP (2005 est.)
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Disputes - international | | Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient
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Electricity - production(kWh) | | 4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - production by source(%) | | fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
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Electricity - consumption(kWh) | | 528.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - exports(kWh) | | 3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - imports(kWh) | | 11 million kWh (2007 est.)
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Oil - production(bbl/day) | | 0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil - consumption(bbl/day) | | 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil - exports(bbl/day) | | 0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil - imports(bbl/day) | | 1,168 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil - proved reserves(bbl) | | 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
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Natural gas - production(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural gas - exports(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008)
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Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) | | 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) | | less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | | fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths | | NA
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Major infectious diseases | | degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
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Literacy(%) | | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.)
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School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years) | | total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006)
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Education expenditures(% of GDP) | | 7% of GDP (2005)
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