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Compare Bhutan (2008) - Marshall Islands (2008)

Compare Bhutan (2008) z Marshall Islands (2008)

 Bhutan (2008)Marshall Islands (2008)
 BhutanMarshall Islands
Administrative divisions 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje
Age structure 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 465,340/female 433,184)


15-64 years: 57.4% (male 688,428/female 647,134)


65 years and over: 4% (male 47,123/female 46,640) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 38.3% (male 12,061/female 11,622)


15-64 years: 58.9% (male 18,634/female 17,775)


65 years and over: 2.8% (male 832/female 891) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Airports 2 (2007) 15 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
total: 4


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
total: 11


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Area total: 47,000 sq km


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 181.3 sq km


land: 181.3 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana about 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 to British India. 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. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, leaving the remaining cabinet to act as a caretaker regime until a new government assumes power following parliamentary elections. Bhutan will complete its transition to full democracy in 2008, when its first fully democratic elections to a new parliament - expected to be completed by March 2008 - and a concomitant referendum on the draft constitution will take place. After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network.
Birth rate 33.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 32.37 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $272 million


expenditures: $350 million


note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005)
revenues: $42 million


expenditures: $40 million (1999)
Capital name: Thimphu


geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E


time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Majuro


geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E


time difference: UTC+12 (17 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 and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 370.4 km
Constitution none; note - a draft constitution was unveiled in March 2005 and is expected to be adopted following the election of a new National Assembly in 2008 1 May 1979
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan


local long form: Druk Gyalkhap


local short form: Druk Yul
conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands


conventional short form: Marshall Islands


local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands


local short form: Marshall Islands


abbreviation: RMI


former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District
Death rate 12.46 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $593 million (2004) $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
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: Ambassador Clyde BISHOP


embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro


mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379


telephone: [692] 247-4011


FAX: [692] 247-4012
Diplomatic representation in the US none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551


consulate(s) general: New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM


chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414


FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236


consulate(s) general: Honolulu
Disputes - international over 100,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps since 1990; Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a boundary alignment to resolve substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lies in Bhutan's northwest claims US territory of Wake Island
Economic aid - recipient $90.02 million; note - substantial aid from India (2005) $56.56 million more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002 (2005)
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 60% 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. 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 visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India drove GDP growth to over 20% in 2007 US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.
Electricity - consumption 380 million kWh (2005) -
Electricity - exports 1.5 billion kWh (2005) -
Electricity - imports 20 million kWh (2005) -
Electricity - production 2 billion kWh (2005) -
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


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


highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


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% Micronesian
Exchange rates ngultrum per US dollar - NA (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003)


note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee
the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him


head of government: Prime Minister Kinzang DORJI (since August 2007)


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; election of a new National Assembly is expected in 2008
chief of state: President Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008)


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature


elections: president elected by Parliament from among its members for a four-year term; election last held 7 January 2008 (next to be held in 2012)


election results: Litokwa TOMEING elected president; TOMEING received 18 votes to 15 for incumbent NOTE
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $9.1 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish
Exports - partners India 54.5%, Hong Kong 34.6%, Bangladesh 6.9% (2006) US, Japan, Australia, China (2006)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 October - 30 September
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 blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 24.7%


industry: 37.2%


services: 38.1% (2005)
agriculture: 31.7%


industry: 14.9%


services: 53.4% (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 8.8% (2005 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 27 30 N, 90 30 E 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes the Marshal Islands Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is used as a US missile test range; island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 1,138 bbl/day (2004) $54.7 million f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
Imports - partners India 76%, Japan 5.5%, Germany 3.2% (2006) US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2006)
Independence 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king) 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) NA%
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from seashells, wood, and pearls
Infant mortality rate total: 96.37 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 94.09 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 98.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 27.3 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 30.62 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 23.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5.5% (2005 est.) 3% (2005 est.)
International organization participation ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Irrigated land 400 sq km (2003) 0 sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court
Labor force NA


note: major shortage of skilled labor
14,680 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 63%


industry: 6%


services: 31% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 21.4%


industry: 20.9%


services: 57.7% (2000)
Land boundaries total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 2.3%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 97.27% (2005)
arable land: 11.11%


permanent crops: 44.44%


other: 44.45% (2005)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)


note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
Legal system based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 members elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; to serve three-year terms); note - a new bicameral parliament will be established in 2008


elections: first elections to be held in December 2007 and spring 2008; note - local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in 2008)


election results: NA
unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held by November 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 33


note: the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
Life expectancy at birth total population: 55.17 years


male: 55.38 years


female: 54.96 years (2007 est.)
total population: 70.61 years


male: 68.61 years


female: 72.71 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 47%


male: 60%


female: 34% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.7%


male: 93.6%


female: 93.7% (1999)
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Map references Asia Oceania
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine - total: 902 ships (1000 GRT or over) 33,260,440 GRT/55,644,008 DWT


by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 215, cargo 61, carrier 1, chemical tanker 165, combination ore/oil 6, container 171, liquefied gas 28, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 228, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 5


foreign-owned: 857 (Australia 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 5, Canada 4, Chile 4, China 3, Croatia 4, Cyprus 39, Denmark 9, Finland 2, Germany 214, Greece 226, Hong Kong 4, Italy 3, Japan 5, South Korea 3, Latvia 10, Malaysia 3, Monaco 7, Netherlands 5, Norway 62, Romania 1, Russia 4, Saudi Arabia 4, Singapore 12, Slovenia 3, Spain 3, Sweden 1, Switzerland 14, Turkey 41, UAE 14, UK 17, US 129) (2007)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2008) no regular military forces; under the 1983 Compact of Free Association, the US has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands Police (2006)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (2005 est.) NA
National holiday National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)


adjective: Marshallese
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 infrequent typhoons
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -5.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Druk Pheunsum Tshogpa or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Sangay NGEDUP] traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
Political pressure groups and leaders Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) NA
Population 2,327,849


note: the Factbook population estimate is inconsistent with the 2005 Bhutan census results; both data are being reviewed and when completed, the results will be posted on The World Factbook Web site (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook) later this year (July 2007 est.)
61,815 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 31.7% (2003) NA%
Population growth rate 2.082% (2007 est.) 2.207% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein) (2005)
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.074 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.064 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female


total population: 1.066 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.038 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.048 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.934 male(s)/female


total population: 1.041 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services


domestic: very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003


international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2007)
general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits


domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones


international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2001)
Telephones - main lines in use 31,500 (2006) 4,500 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular 82,100 (2006) 600 (2004)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2007) 2 (both are US military stations; Marshalls Broadcasting Service, a cable company, operates on Majuro) (2005)
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna low coral limestone and sand islands
Total fertility rate 4.67 children born/woman (2007 est.) 3.76 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.5% (2004) 30.9% (2000 est.)
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