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Compare Bhutan (2004) - Western Sahara (2002)

Compare Bhutan (2004) z Western Sahara (2002)

 Bhutan (2004)Western Sahara (2002)
 BhutanWestern Sahara
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 (under de facto control of Morocco)
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%
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)
Airports 2 (2003 est.) 11 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


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


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 47,000 sq km


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana about the size of Colorado
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. Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed.
Birth rate 34.41 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA births/1,000 population
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 none
Climate varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 1,110 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 -
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
Currency ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Death rate 13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population
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) none
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
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 Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties reject other proposals
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. Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.
Electricity - consumption 379.5 million kWh (2001) 83.7 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 1.4 billion kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 16 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 1.896 billion kWh (2001) 90 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water sparse water and lack of arable land
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: none of the selected agreements


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% Arab, Berber
Exchange rates ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999) Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 11.584 (January 2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997)
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
none
Exports NA (2001) $NA
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices phosphates 62%
Exports - partners Bangladesh 60.5%, US 11.7%, Malaysia 5.7% (2003) Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
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.) purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 45%


industry: 10%


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


industry: NA%


services: 40%-45% (1996 est.) (1996 est.)
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 24 30 N, 13 00 W
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
Highways total: 3,690 km


paved: 2,240 km


unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)
total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.)
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 fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
Imports - partners Japan 36.6%, Austria 14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, China 7.5%, Thailand 6%, Bangladesh 6%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4% (2003) Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Independence 8 August 1949 (from India) -
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) NA%
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide phosphate mining, handicrafts
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.)
NA deaths/1,000 live births
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
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
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) -
Labor force NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.)
12,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5% animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%
Land boundaries total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
Land use arable land: 3.09%


permanent crops: 0.43%


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


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
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
-
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
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 42.2%


male: 56.2%


female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
Map references Asia Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue
Military branches Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $11.2 million (2003) $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) -
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian
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 hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide phosphates, iron ore
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 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) none
Population 2,185,569


note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
256,177 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 2.12% (2004 est.) NA (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors none Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 56,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Muslim
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
Suffrage each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed
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: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
Telephones - main lines in use 25,200 (2003) about 2,000 (1999 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2003) 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) NA
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast
Total fertility rate 4.87 children born/woman (2004 est.) NA children born/woman
Unemployment rate NA NA%
Waterways - none
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