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Compare Bhutan (2004) - Hong Kong (2005)

Compare Bhutan (2004) z Hong Kong (2005)

 Bhutan (2004)Hong Kong (2005)
 BhutanHong Kong
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 (special administrative region of China)
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: 13.8% (male 498,771/female 454,252)


15-64 years: 73.5% (male 2,479,656/female 2,591,170)


65 years and over: 12.7% (male 404,308/female 470,529) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, pork
Airports 2 (2003 est.) 4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1523 m: 1


under 914 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: 1,092 sq km


land: 1,042 sq km


water: 50 sq km
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana six times 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. Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
Birth rate 34.41 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 7.23 births/1,000 population (2005 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: $26.6 billion


expenditures: $31.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.9 billion (2004 est.)
Capital Thimphu -
Climate varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 733 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 Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region


conventional short form: Hong Kong


local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu


local short form: Xianggang


abbreviation: HK
Currency ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) -
Death rate 13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $245 million (2000) $66.94 billion (2004 est.)
Dependency status - special administrative region of China
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) chief of mission: Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM


consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong


mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006


telephone: [852] 2523-9011


FAX: [852] 2524-0860
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 (special administrative region of China)
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 -
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. Hong Kong has a free market, entrepot economy, highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Gross imports and exports (i.e., including reexports to and from third countries) each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997, it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has made manufacturing in China much more cost effective. Hong Kong's reexport business to and from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP is comparable to that of the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past six years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn in 2001 and 2002. Although the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak also battered Hong Kong's economy, a boom in tourism from the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, a return of consumer confidence, and a solid rise in exports resulted in the resumption of strong growth in late 2003 and in 2004.
Electricity - consumption 379.5 million kWh (2001) 38.45 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 1.4 billion kWh (2001) 3 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 16 million kWh (2001) 10.4 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 1.896 billion kWh (2001) 35.51 billion kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water air and water pollution from rapid urbanization
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to: Marine Dumping (associate member)
Ethnic groups Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Chinese 95%, other 5%
Exchange rates ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999) Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003), 7.7989 (2002), 7.7988 (2001), 7.7912 (2000)
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: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)


head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official members and 14 official members


elections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to second five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005; Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25 May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005 and 24 June 2005; last election 16 June 2005 to fill final two years of TUNG's term (next to be held in June 2007)
Exports NA (2001) NA
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material
Exports - partners Bangladesh 60.5%, US 11.7%, Malaysia 5.7% (2003) China 44%, US 17%, Japan 5.3% (2004)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 April - 31 March
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 red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center
GDP purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 45%


industry: 10%


services: 45% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 0.1%


industry: 11.3%


services: 88.6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $34,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 7.7% (2002 est.) 7.9% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 27 30 N, 90 30 E 22 15 N, 114 10 E
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes more than 200 islands
Heliports - 2 (2004 est.)
Highways total: 3,690 km


paved: 2,240 km


unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)
total: 1,831 km


paved: 1,831 km


unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people
Imports NA (2001) NA
Imports - commodities fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)
Imports - partners Japan 36.6%, Austria 14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, China 7.5%, Thailand 6%, Bangladesh 6%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4% (2003) China 43.5%, Japan 12.1%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 4.8% (2004)
Independence 8 August 1949 (from India) none (special administrative region of China)
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) 1% (2004 est.)
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks
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: 2.97 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2002 est.) -0.3% (2004 est.)
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) APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO
Irrigated land 400 sq km (1998 est.) 20 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Labor force NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.)
3.54 million (October 2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5% manufacturing 7.5%, construction 2.9%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 19.2%, transport and communications 7.9%, community and social services 18.5%


note: above data exclude public sector (2004 est.)
Land boundaries total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
total: 30 km


regional border: China 30 km
Land use arable land: 3.09%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 96.48% (2001)
arable land: 5.05%


permanent crops: 1.01%


other: 93.94% (2001)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official
Legal system based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English common 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 Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group 62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10, independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11, Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1; other 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 53.99 years


male: 54.27 years


female: 53.68 years (2004 est.)
total population: 81.5 years


male: 78.81 years


female: 84.41 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 42.2%


male: 56.2%


female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 93.5%


male: 96.9%


female: 89.6% (2002)
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Map references Asia Southeast Asia
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 3 nm
Merchant marine - total: 837 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,478,042 GRT/34,554,455 DWT


by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 446, cargo 119, chemical tanker 44, combination ore/oil 2, container 105, liquefied gas 20, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 75, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 8


foreign-owned: 453 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Belgium 3, Canada 9, China 246, Denmark 3, France 5, Germany 13, Greece 19, India 1, Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Japan 51, Norway 16, Philippines 13, Singapore 17, South Korea 8, Taiwan 5, Thailand 4, UAE 1, United Kingdom 32, United States 3)


registered in other countries: 373 (2005)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of China
Military branches Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region
Military expenditures - dollar figure $11.2 million (2003) Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.9% (2003) NA
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) National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Chinese/Hong Konger


adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
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 occasional typhoons
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 5.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Political parties and leaders no legal parties Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong or DAB [MA Lik, chairman]; Democratic Party [LEE Wing-tat, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]


note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party
Political pressure groups and leaders Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]
Population 2,185,569


note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
6,898,686 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA
Population growth rate 2.12% (2004 est.) 0.65% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors none Hong Kong
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004)
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
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.)
at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 200,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies
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: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services


domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network


international: country code - 852; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
Telephones - main lines in use 25,200 (2003) 3,801,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2003) 7,241,400 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) 4 (2004)
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
Total fertility rate 4.87 children born/woman (2004 est.) 0.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 6.7% (2004 est.)
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