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Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) - Bhutan (2001)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) z Bhutan (2001)

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Bhutan (2001)
 British Virgin IslandsBhutan
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 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: 22.4% (male 2,401; female 2,351)


15-64 years: 72.7% (male 7,962; female 7,509)


65 years and over: 4.9% (male 565; female 484) (2002 est.)
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 fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Airports 3 (2001) 2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 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 (2002)
total:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Area total: 153 sq km


land: 153 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada
total:
47,000 sq km

land:
47,000 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC about half the size of Indiana
Background First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. 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 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 35.73 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
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 Road Town Thimphu
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures 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 80 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 1 June 1977 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: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form:
Bhutan
Currency US dollar (USD) ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 14.03 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $120 million (1998)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
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 none 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 NA $73.8 million (1995)
Economy - overview The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959. 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 39.1 million kWh (1999) 191.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 1.55 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 15 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 42 million kWh (1999) 1.856 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
0.05%

hydro:
99.95%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point:
Drangme Chhu 97 m

highest point:
Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) 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 black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used 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), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002)


head of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995)


cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
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 $6.2 million $154 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US India 94%, Bangladesh
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 July - 30 June
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) 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 - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture:
38%

industry:
37%

services:
25% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
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%
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center -
Imports $230 million (2000 est.) $269 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 8 August 1949 (from India)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) 9.3% (1996 est.)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 108.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 7% (2000 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) 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) 16 (2000) NA
Irrigated land NA sq km 340 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 4,911 (1980) NA

note:
massive lack of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% 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: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land:
2%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
6%

forests and woodland:
66%

other:
26% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official) Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Legal system English law based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VIP 7, CCM 1, NDP 5
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: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
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: 97.8% (1991 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
42.2%

male:
56.2%

female:
28.1% (1995 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Asia
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,285 GRT/6,946 DWT


ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.)
-
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
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 Territory Day, 1 July National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun:
Bhutanese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Bhutanese
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) 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 NEGL timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] no legal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 2,049,412 (July 2001 est.)

note:
other estimates range as low as 800,000
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 2.17% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town none
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 9,000 (1997) 37,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991) Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/female


total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
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 18 years of age; universal each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: submarine cable to Bermuda
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 10,000 (1996) 6,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA NA
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 0 (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 5.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) NA%
Waterways none none
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