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Compare Bhutan (2008) - Niger (2008)

Compare Bhutan (2008) z Niger (2008)

 Bhutan (2008)Niger (2008)
 BhutanNiger
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 8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
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: 46.9% (male 3,083,871/female 2,969,201)


15-64 years: 50.6% (male 3,354,783/female 3,174,039)


65 years and over: 2.4% (male 155,430/female 157,541) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Airports 2 (2007) 28 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


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


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
total: 19


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 14


under 914 m: 3 (2007)
Area total: 47,000 sq km


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 1.267 million sq km


land: 1,266,700 sq km


water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative about half the size of Indiana slightly less than twice the size of Texas
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. Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999 BARE was killed in a coup by military officers who promptly restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. A predominately Tuareg ethnic group emerged in February 2007, the Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ), and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007. Events have since evolved into a budding insurrection.
Birth rate 33.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 50.16 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: $320 million (includes $134 million from foreign sources)


expenditures: $320 million (2002 est.)
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: Niamey


geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 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 desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
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 new constitution adopted 18 July 1999
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 Niger


conventional short form: Niger


local long form: Republique du Niger


local short form: Niger
Death rate 12.46 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 20.59 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $593 million (2004) $2.1 billion (2003 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 Bernadette M. ALLEN


embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey


mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey


telephone: [227] 20-73-31-69


FAX: [227] 20-73-55-60
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 Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE


chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227


FAX: [1] (202)483-3169
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 Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Economic aid - recipient $90.02 million; note - substantial aid from India (2005) $515.4 million (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 Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. It is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, and a 2.9% population growth rate, have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Uranium prices have increased sharply in the last few years. A drought and locust infestation in 2005 led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 million Nigeriens.
Electricity - consumption 380 million kWh (2005) 437.7 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 1.5 billion kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 20 million kWh (2005) 220 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 2 billion kWh (2005) 234.1 million kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
lowest point: Niger River 200 m


highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion; limited access to potable water overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
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, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Touareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
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
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003)
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 Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Seyni OUMAROU (since 3 June 2007); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president


cabinet: 26-member Cabinet appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); second round of election last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009)


election results: Mamadou TANDJA reelected president; percent of vote - Mamadou TANDJA 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5%
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) 0 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Exports - partners India 54.5%, Hong Kong 34.6%, Bangladesh 6.9% (2006) France 34.8%, US 26.6%, Nigeria 18.3%, Russia 11.3% (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 three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 24.7%


industry: 37.2%


services: 38.1% (2005)
agriculture: 39%


industry: 17%


services: 44% (2001)
GDP - real growth rate 8.8% (2005 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 27 30 N, 90 30 E 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 0.8%


highest 10%: 35.4% (1995)
Imports 1,138 bbl/day (2004) 5,412 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Imports - partners India 76%, Japan 5.5%, Germany 3.2% (2006) US 14.1%, France 12.1%, China 7.8%, Nigeria 7.7%, French Polynesia 7.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.9% (2006)
Independence 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king) 3 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 9.3% (1996 est.) 5.1% (2003 est.)
Industries cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
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: 116.83 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 120.78 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 112.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5.5% (2005 est.) 0.2% (2004 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) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land 400 sq km (2003) 730 sq km (2003)
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 State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
Labor force NA


note: major shortage of skilled labor
70,000 salaried workers, 60% of whom are employed in the public sector (1995)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 63%


industry: 6%


services: 31% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 90%


industry: 6%


services: 4% (1995)
Land boundaries total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
total: 5,697 km


border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Land use arable land: 2.3%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 97.27% (2005)
arable land: 11.43%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 88.56% (2005)
Languages Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Legal system based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held in December 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNSD 47, PNDS 25, CDS 22, RSD 7, RDP 6, ANDP 5, PSDN 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 55.17 years


male: 55.38 years


female: 54.96 years (2007 est.)
total population: 44.03 years


male: 44.05 years


female: 44 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: 28.7%


male: 42.9%


female: 15.1% (2005 est.)
Location Southern Asia, between China and India Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Map references Asia Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Military branches Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2008) Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Niger Air Force (2007)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (2005 est.) 1.3% (2006)
National holiday National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Nationality noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Nigerien(s)


adjective: Nigerien
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 recurring droughts
Natural resources timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -0.59 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] Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Hama AMADOU]; Niger Social Democratic Party or PSDN; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Autonomy or PNA-Alouma'a [Sanousi JACKOU]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Issifou MAHAMADOU]; Nigerien Progressive Party or PPN-RDA [Abdoulaye DIORI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP-jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU]
Political pressure groups and leaders Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group demanding concessions including a greater share of the country's uranium revenues from the government
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.)
12,894,865 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 31.7% (2003) 63% (1993 est.)
Population growth rate 2.082% (2007 est.) 2.898% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)
Religions Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
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: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.039 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.057 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.987 male(s)/female


total population: 1.047 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: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger


domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is less than 3 per 100 persons; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned


international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 31,500 (2006) 24,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 82,100 (2006) 323,900 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2007) 5 (2007)
Terrain mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north
Total fertility rate 4.67 children born/woman (2007 est.) 7.37 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.5% (2004) NA%
Waterways - 300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2005)
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