Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2002) - Bhutan (2001)

Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2002) z Bhutan (2001)

	British Indian Ocean Territory (2002)	Bhutan (2001)

Administrative divisions	-	18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, 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
Age structure	-	0-14 years: 39.99% (male 424,832; female 394,725) 15-64 years: 56.05% (male 591,152; female 557,498) 65 years and over: 3.96% (male 41,125; female 40,080) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products	-	rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Airports	1 (2001)	2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways	-	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Area	total: 60 sq km land: 60 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago	total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC	about half the size of Indiana
Background	Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order which had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia.	Under British influence a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later a treaty was signed whereby the country became a British protectorate. Independence was attained in 1949, with India subsequently guiding foreign relations and supplying aid. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of these displaced persons are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions.
Birth rate	-	35.73 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget	-	revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.) note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures
Capital	-	Thimphu
Climate	tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds	varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Coastline	698 km	0 km (landlocked)
Constitution	-	no written constitution or bill of rights; note - Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly; on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powers
Country name	conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT	conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan
Currency	-	ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Death rate	-	14.03 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external	-	$120 million (1998)
Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London	-
Diplomatic representation from the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)	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 (overseas territory of the UK)	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; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international	Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation since eviction in 1965; repatriation is complicated by the US military lease of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain	refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 98,700 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps
Economic aid - recipient	-	$73.8 million (1995)
Economy - overview	All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing.	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. 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. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan 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. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Electricity - consumption	NA kWh	191.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports	-	1.55 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports	-	15 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production	NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military	1.856 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source	-	fossil fuel: 0.05% hydro: 99.95% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m	lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Environment - current issues	NA	soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements	-	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups	-	Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Exchange rates	-	ngultrum per US dollar - 46.540 (January 2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee which is also legal tender
Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Alan HUCKLE (since 2001); Administrator Louise SAVILL (since NA); note - both reside in the UK cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch	chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay NGEDUP (since NA 1999) 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 give the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote
Exports	-	$154 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities	-	cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
Exports - partners	-	India 94%, Bangladesh
Fiscal year	-	1 July - 30 June
Flag description	white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag	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 - $2.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector	-	agriculture: 38% industry: 37% services: 25% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita	-	purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	-	6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates	6 00 S, 71 30 E	27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note	archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility	landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Highways	total: NA km paved: short stretch of paved road of NA km between port and airfield on Diego Garcia unpaved: NA km	total: 3,285 km paved: 1,994 km unpaved: 1,291 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share	-	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports	-	$269 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities	-	fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners	-	India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Independence	-	8 August 1949 (from India)
Industrial production growth rate	-	9.3% (1996 est.)
Industries	-	cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Infant mortality rate	-	108.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)	-	7% (2000 est.)
International organization participation	-	AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)	NA
Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)	340 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch	-	Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force	-	NA note: massive lack of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation	-	agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Land boundaries	0 km	total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Land use	arable land: NEGL permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)	arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 66% other: 26% (1993 est.)
Languages	-	Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Legal system	the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply	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: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: NA
Life expectancy at birth	-	total population: 52.79 years male: 53.16 years female: 52.41 years (2001 est.)
Literacy	-	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
Location	Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia	Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references	Political Map of the World	Asia
Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM	none (landlocked)
Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016	-
Military branches	-	Royal Bhutan Army, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Body Guards, Forest Guards (paramilitary)
Military expenditures - dollar figure	-	$NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP	-	NA%
Military manpower - availability	-	males age 15-49: 504,342 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service	-	males age 15-49: 269,251 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age	-	18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually	-	males: 21,167 (2001 est.)
National holiday	-	National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality	-	noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
Natural hazards	NA	violent storms coming down 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
Natural resources	coconuts, fish, sugarcane	timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Net migration rate	-	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 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	no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles around the time of the construction of UK-US military facilities; in 2001, there were approximately 1,500 UK and US military personnel and 2,000 civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia (July 2002 est.)	2,049,412 (July 2001 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 800,000
Population below poverty line	-	NA%
Population growth rate	-	2.17% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors	Diego Garcia	none
Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)	AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios	NA	37,000 (1997)
Railways	-	0 km
Religions	-	Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
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: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage	-	each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system	general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)	general assessment: NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Telephones - main lines in use	NA	6,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular	-	NA
Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)	0 (1997)
Terrain	flat and low (most areas do not exceed four meters in elevation)	mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Total fertility rate	-	5.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate	-	NA%
Waterways	none	none

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