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Compare Congo, Republic of the (2005) - Bhutan (2002)

Compare Congo, Republic of the (2005) z Bhutan (2002)

 Congo, Republic of the (2005)Bhutan (2002)
 Congo, Republic of theBhutan
Administrative divisions 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, 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: 37.3% (male 571,011/female 563,414)


15-64 years: 59% (male 886,297/female 907,348)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 45,799/female 65,257) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 39.8% (male 431,883; female 401,386)


15-64 years: 56.2% (male 606,184; female 571,310)


65 years and over: 4% (male 42,193; female 41,220) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Airports 32 (2004 est.) 2 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 28


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 11


under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 342,000 sq km


land: 341,500 sq km


water: 500 sq km
total: 47,000 sq km


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Montana about half the size of Indiana
Background Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnic unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development. 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. 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 85,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions.
Birth rate 27.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 35.26 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $870.1 million


expenditures: $1.102 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
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 Brazzaville Thimphu
Climate tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Coastline 169 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution approved by referendum 20 January 2002 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: Republic of the Congo


conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)


local long form: Republique du Congo


local short form: none


former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
Currency - ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Death rate 14.82 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 13.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $5 billion (2000 est.) $245 million (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Roger A. MEECE


embassy: NA


mailing address: NA


telephone: [243] (88) 43608


note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)
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 chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI


chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500


FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
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 about 7,000 Congolese refugees fleeing internal civil conflicts since the mid-1990s still reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal
Economic aid - recipient $159.1 million (1995) substantial aid from India and other nations
Economy - overview The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing 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. Major hydroelectric projects will lead expansion of GDP in 2002 by an estimated 6%.
Electricity - consumption 573.6 million kWh (2002) 380.68 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 1.385 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 250 million kWh (2002) 21 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 348 million kWh (2002) 1.876 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 100%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Environment - current issues air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%


note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997
Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas--one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Exchange rates Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000) ngultrum per US dollar - 48.336 (January 2002), 47.186 (2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee which is also legal tender
Executive branch chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2009)


election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7%
chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)


head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Khandu WANGCHUK (since 8 August 2001)


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
Exports NA $154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports - partners China 26.8%, Taiwan 19.2%, North Korea 8.4%, US 7.3%, France 5.5%, South Korea 4.8% (2004) India 94%, Bangladesh
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia 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 - $2.5 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 7.4%


industry: 52%


services: 40.6% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 45%


industry: 20%


services: 35% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.7% (2004 est.) 6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 1 00 S, 15 00 E 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Highways total: 12,800 km


paved: 1,242 km


unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.)
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%
Imports NA $196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners France 32.7%, US 10.1%, Germany 6.2%, Italy 6%, China 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5% (2004) India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Independence 15 August 1960 (from France) 8 August 1949 (from India)
Industrial production growth rate 0% (2002 est.) 9.3% (1996 est.)
Industries petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Infant mortality rate total: 92.41 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 98.48 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 86.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
106.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.8% (2004 est.) 7% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - NA
Irrigated land 10 sq km (1998 est.) 400 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force NA NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Land boundaries total: 5,504 km


border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km
total: 1,075 km


border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Land use arable land: 0.51%


permanent crops: 0.13%


other: 99.36% (2001)
arable land: 2.98%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 96.59% (1998 est.)
Languages French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread) Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Legal system based on French civil law system and customary law based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held July 2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next to be held by NA May 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45
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: 52.26 years


male: 51.17 years


female: 53.39 years (2005 est.)
total population: 53.19 years


male: 53.53 years


female: 52.83 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 83.8%


male: 89.6%


female: 78.4% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 42.2%


male: 56.2%


female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
Location Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references Africa Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 200 nm none (landlocked)
Military branches Congolese Armed Forces (FAC): Army, Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Navy, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (2005) Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards
Military expenditures - dollar figure $126.5 million (2004) $9.3 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.8% (2004) 1.9% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 517,470 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 276,303 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 21,167 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 15 August (1960) National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality noun: Congolese (singular and plural)


adjective: Congolese or Congo
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
Natural hazards seasonal flooding 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 petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines gas 53 km; oil 646 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders the most important of the many parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [leader NA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO] no legal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)
Population 3,039,126


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)
2,094,176


note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 1.31% (2005 est.) 2.15% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire none
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 37,000 (1997)
Railways total: 894 km


narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)
0 km
Religions Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 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: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order


domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable


international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
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 7,000 (2003) 6,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 330,000 (2003) NA
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 0 (1997)
Terrain coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Total fertility rate 3.54 children born/woman (2005 est.) 5 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA (2003) NA%
Waterways 4,385 km (on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2004) none
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