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Compare Bhutan (2004) - Christmas Island (2004)

Compare Bhutan (2004) z Christmas Island (2004)

 Bhutan (2004)Christmas Island (2004)
 BhutanChristmas Island
Administrative divisions 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang


note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse
none (territory of Australia)
Age structure 0-14 years: 39.3% (male 445,548; female 414,338)


15-64 years: 56.6% (male 637,637; female 600,253)


65 years and over: 4% (male 44,298; female 43,495) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs NA
Airports 2 (2003 est.) 1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
-
Area total: 47,000 sq km


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
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. 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 some 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. Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Birth rate 34.41 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $146 million


expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA


note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)
revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
Capital Thimphu The Settlement
Climate varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 80 km
Constitution no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November 2004 presented a draft to the Council of Ministers NA
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
Currency ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) Australian dollar (AUD)
Death rate 13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $245 million (2000) NA
Dependency status - territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Diplomatic representation from the US the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; FAX [1] (212) 826-2998; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US


consulate(s) general: New York
none (territory of Australia)
Disputes - international approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal none
Economic aid - recipient substantial aid from India and other nations NA
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 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. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. 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 the visits of upscale, environmentally conscientious visitors. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin operations in mid-2004
Electricity - consumption 379.5 million kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 1.4 billion kWh (2001) -
Electricity - imports 16 million kWh (2001) -
Electricity - production 1.896 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
-
Ethnic groups Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Exchange rates ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.5419 (2003), 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999)
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)


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: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Exports NA (2001) NA
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices phosphate
Exports - partners Bangladesh 60.5%, US 11.7%, Malaysia 5.7% (2003) Australia, NZ
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 July - 30 June
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 the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory
GDP purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - NA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 45%


industry: 10%


services: 45% (2002 est.)
agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - NA
GDP - real growth rate 7.7% (2002 est.) NA
Geographic coordinates 27 30 N, 90 30 E 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Highways total: 3,690 km


paved: 2,240 km


unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)
total: 240 km


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 210 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Imports NA (2001) NA
Imports - commodities fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice consumer goods
Imports - partners Japan 36.6%, Austria 14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, China 7.5%, Thailand 6%, Bangladesh 6%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4% (2003) principally Australia
Independence 8 August 1949 (from India) none (territory of Australia)
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) NA
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Infant mortality rate total: 102.56 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 100.35 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 104.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2002 est.) NA
International organization participation AsDB, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) none
Irrigated land 400 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Labor force NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.)
NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5% NA
Land boundaries total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 3.09%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 96.48% (2001)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100%


note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (2001)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects English (official), Chinese, Malay
Legal system based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)


elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: NA
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Life expectancy at birth total population: 53.99 years


male: 54.27 years


female: 53.68 years (2004 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 42.2%


male: 56.2%


female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
NA
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Map references Asia Southeast Asia
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Australia
Military branches Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $11.2 million (2003) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.9% (2003) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 544,560 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 290,843 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 23,379 (2004 est.) -
National holiday National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
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 the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide phosphate, beaches
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
People - note - The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1508 as of the 2001 Census
Political parties and leaders no legal parties none
Political pressure groups and leaders Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) none
Population 2,185,569


note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
396 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA
Population growth rate 2.12% (2004 est.) -9% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors none Flying Fish Cove
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
NA (2004 est.)
Suffrage each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law -
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use


international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: only analog mobile telephone service is available


international: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,200 (2003) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2003) NA
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) NA
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Total fertility rate 4.87 children born/woman (2004 est.) NA children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA
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