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Compare Christmas Island (2005) - Bhutan (2007)

Compare Christmas Island (2005) z Bhutan (2007)

 Christmas Island (2005)Bhutan (2007)
 Christmas IslandBhutan
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 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
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
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.)
Agriculture - products NA rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Airports 1 (2004 est.) 2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


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


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 47,000 sq km


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC about half the size of Indiana
Background Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. 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. A referendum date has yet to be named, but should occur in 2008. 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.
Birth rate NA 33.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues: $272 million


expenditures: $350 million


note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005)
Capital The Settlement name: Thimphu


geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E


time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Coastline 138.9 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) 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
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan


local long form: Druk Gyalkhap


local short form: Druk Yul
Death rate NA 12.46 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external - $593 million (2004)
Dependency status territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) 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 (territory of Australia) none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; FAX [1] (212) 826-2998


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international none 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
Economic aid - recipient NA $90.02 million; note - substantial aid from India (2005)
Economy - overview Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin operations in the near future 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. 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 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.
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: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000) ngultrum per US dollar - 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61 (2002)


note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
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
Exports NA NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities phosphate electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports - partners Australia, NZ India 54.5%, Hong Kong 34.6%, Bangladesh 6.9% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 July - 30 June
Flag description the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory 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 - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture: 24.7%


industry: 37.2%


services: 38.1% (2005)
GDP - real growth rate NA 8.8% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Highways total: 240 km


paved: 30 km


unpaved: 210 km (2000)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities consumer goods fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners principally Australia India 76%, Japan 5.5%, Germany 3.2% (2006)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 8 August 1949 (from India)
Industrial production growth rate - 9.3% (1996 est.)
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
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.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 5.5% (2005 est.)
International organization participation none AsDB, 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)
Irrigated land NA sq km 400 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force NA NA


note: major shortage of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation NA agriculture: 63%


industry: 6%


services: 31% (2004 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,075 km


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


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100%


note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (2001)
arable land: 2.3%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 97.27% (2005)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held in 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
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)


elections: first election to be held in 2008; note - local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in 2008)


election results: NA
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 55.17 years


male: 55.38 years


female: 54.96 years (2007 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 47%


male: 60%


female: 34% (2003 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references Southeast Asia Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
none (landlocked)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Royal Bhutan Army: Royal Bodyguard, Royal Bhutan Police (2005)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1% (2005 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard 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
Natural resources phosphate, beaches timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
Net migration rate NA 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
People - note the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1,508 as of the 2001 Census -
Political parties and leaders none no legal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders none Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)
Population 361 (July 2005 est.) 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.)
Population below poverty line - 31.7% (2003)
Population growth rate 0% (2005 est.) 2.082% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Flying Fish Cove -
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2006)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Sex ratio NA 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.)
Suffrage - each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005


international: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
general assessment: telecommunications facilities are poor


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 (2005)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 31,500 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 82,100 (2006)
Television broadcast stations NA 1 (2006)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Total fertility rate NA 4.67 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate - 2.5% (2004)
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