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Compare Bhutan (2004) - Sao Tome and Principe (2006)

Compare Bhutan (2004) z Sao Tome and Principe (2006)

 Bhutan (2004)Sao Tome and Principe (2006)
 BhutanSao Tome and Principe
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
2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome


note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
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: 47.5% (male 46,478/female 45,302)


15-64 years: 48.8% (male 45,631/female 48,661)


65 years and over: 3.8% (male 3,368/female 3,973) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Airports 2 (2003 est.) 2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


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


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
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: 1,001 sq km


land: 1,001 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana more than five 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. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy.
Birth rate 34.41 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 40.25 births/1,000 population (2006 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: $26.39 million


expenditures: $59.48 million; including capital expenditures of $54 million (2004 est.)
Capital Thimphu name: Sao Tome


geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 209 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 approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe


conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe


local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe


local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Currency ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) -
Death rate 13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $245 million (2000) $318 million (2002)
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) the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
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
chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA


chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580


FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348


consulate(s): Atlanta
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 $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
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. This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, and is expected to benefit from an additional round of HIPC debt relief in early 2006, to help bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth reached 6% in 2004, and also probably in 2005, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment.
Electricity - consumption 379.5 million kWh (2001) 13.95 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 1.4 billion kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 16 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 1.896 billion kWh (2001) 15 million kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


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


highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Exchange rates ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999) dobras per US dollar - 9,900.4 (2005), (2004), 9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3 (2002), 8,842.1 (2001)
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 Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since 21 April 2006)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president


election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Exports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners Bangladesh 60.5%, US 11.7%, Malaysia 5.7% (2003) Netherlands 61.1%, Belgium 9.2%, Turkey 5.5%, South Korea 4% (2005)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
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 three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 45%


industry: 10%


services: 45% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 16.7%


industry: 14.8%


services: 68.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 7.7% (2002 est.) 6% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 27 30 N, 90 30 E 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
Highways total: 3,690 km


paved: 2,240 km


unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners Japan 36.6%, Austria 14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, China 7.5%, Thailand 6%, Bangladesh 6%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4% (2003) UK 94.2%, Portugal 2.7%, US 1% (2005)
Independence 8 August 1949 (from India) 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) NA%
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
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: 41.83 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 43.74 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 39.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2002 est.) 15.2% (2005 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) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Irrigated land 400 sq km (1998 est.) 100 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Labor force NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.)
35,050
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5% note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
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: 8.33%


permanent crops: 48.96%


other: 42.71% (2005)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Portuguese (official)
Legal system based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 26 March 2006 (next to be held March 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, other 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 53.99 years


male: 54.27 years


female: 53.68 years (2004 est.)
total population: 67.31 years


male: 65.73 years


female: 68.95 years (2006 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 can read and write


total population: 79.3%


male: 85%


female: 62% (1991 est.)
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Map references Asia Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine - total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 21,527 GRT/29,823 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 7


foreign-owned: 3 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1) (2006)
Military - note - Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay and conditions have been a problem in the past, as has alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance as initial steps towards the improvement of the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Military branches Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard, Presidential Guard (2004)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $11.2 million (2003) $581,729 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.9% (2003) 0.8% (2005 est.)
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) Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Sao Tomean(s)


adjective: Sao Tomean
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 NA
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Political parties and leaders no legal parties Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) NA
Population 2,185,569


note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
193,413 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 54% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 2.12% (2004 est.) 3.15% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors none -
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
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: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law 18 years of age; universal
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: adequate facilities


domestic: minimal system


international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,200 (2003) 7,000 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2003) 12,000 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) 2 (2002)
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna volcanic, mountainous
Total fertility rate 4.87 children born/woman (2004 est.) 5.62 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA%
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