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Compare Bhutan (2004) - West Bank (2008)

Compare Bhutan (2004) z West Bank (2008)

 Bhutan (2004)West Bank (2008)
 BhutanWest Bank
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
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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: 42.4% (male 551,243/female 524,800)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 704,209/female 670,382)


65 years and over: 3.4% (male 36,175/female 49,118) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Airports 2 (2003 est.) 3 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


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


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 5,860 sq km


land: 5,640 sq km


water: 220 sq km


note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana slightly smaller than Delaware
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. The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement by the end of 2008.
Birth rate 34.41 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 30.99 births/1,000 population (2007 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: $1.149 billion


expenditures: $2.31 billion


note: includes Gaza Strip (2006)
Capital Thimphu -
Climate varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
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 -
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: West Bank
Currency ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) -
Death rate 13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 3.85 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $245 million (2000) $NA
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) -
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
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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 West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew from four settlements in the northern West Bank in August 2005; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), headquartered in Jerusalem, monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region
Economic aid - recipient substantial aid from India and other nations $1.4 billion; (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
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. The West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Authority (PA) - has experienced a general decline in economic conditions since the second intifada began in September 2000. The downturn has been largely a result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of closures and access restrictions in response to security concerns in Israel - which disrupted labor and trading relationships. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. International aid of at least $1.14 billion to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed some reforms in the government's financial operations. In 2005, high unemployment and limited trade opportunities - due to continued closures both within the West Bank and externally - stymied growth. Israel's and the international community's financial embargo of the PA when HAMAS ran the PA during March 2006 - June 2007 has interrupted the provision of PA social services and the payment of PA salaries. Since June the Fayyad government in the West Bank has restarted salary payments and the provision of services but would be unable to operate absent high levels of international assistance.
Electricity - consumption 379.5 million kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 1.4 billion kWh (2001) -
Electricity - imports 16 million kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - production 1.896 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m


highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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Ethnic groups Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Exchange rates ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999) new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003)
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
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Exports NA (2001) $301 million f.o.b.; (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Exports - partners Bangladesh 60.5%, US 11.7%, Malaysia 5.7% (2003) Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2006)
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 -
GDP purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 45%


industry: 10%


services: 45% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 8%


industry: 13%


services: 79% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 7.7% (2002 est.) -8% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 27 30 N, 90 30 E 32 00 N, 35 15 E
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 242 West Bank settlements and 29 East Jerusalem settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts (August 2005 est.)
Highways total: 3,690 km


paved: 2,240 km


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


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) $2.44 billion c.i.f.; (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Imports - commodities fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners Japan 36.6%, Austria 14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, China 7.5%, Thailand 6%, Bangladesh 6%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4% (2003) Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2006)
Independence 8 August 1949 (from India) -
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) 2.4% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers
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: 18.67 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 20.59 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 16.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2002 est.) 3.6% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006)
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) -
Irrigated land 400 sq km (1998 est.) 150 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) -
Labor force NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.)
605,000 (2006)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5% agriculture: 18%


industry: 15%


services: 67% (2006)
Land boundaries total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
total: 404 km


border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Land use arable land: 3.09%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 96.48% (2001)
arable land: 16.9%


permanent crops: 18.97%


other: 64.13% (2001)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood)
Legal system based on Indian law and English common 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
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Life expectancy at birth total population: 53.99 years


male: 54.27 years


female: 53.68 years (2004 est.)
total population: 73.46 years


male: 71.68 years


female: 75.35 years (2007 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: 92.4%


male: 96.7%


female: 88% (2004 est.)
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Middle East, west of Jordan
Map references Asia Middle East
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
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) 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) -
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: NA


adjective: NA
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 droughts
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide arable land
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 2.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders no legal parties -
Political pressure groups and leaders Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) -
Population 2,185,569


note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
2,535,927


note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 46% (2007 est.)
Population growth rate 2.12% (2004 est.) 2.985% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors none -
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 0, FM 25, shortwave 0 (2008)
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%
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: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.736 male(s)/female


total population: 1.038 male(s)/female (2007 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: NA


domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services


international: country code - 970 (2004)
Telephones - main lines in use 25,200 (2003) 349,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2003) 1.095 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) 30 (2008)
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east
Total fertility rate 4.87 children born/woman (2004 est.) 4.17 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 18.6% (2006)
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