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Compare Western Sahara (2001) - Bhutan (2002)

Compare Western Sahara (2001) z Bhutan (2002)

 Western Sahara (2001)Bhutan (2002)
 Western SaharaBhutan
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 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:
NA%

15-64 years:
NA%

65 years and over:
NA%
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 fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Airports 11 (2000 est.) 2 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3 (2000 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
8

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Area total:
266,000 sq km

land:
266,000 sq km

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


land: 47,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado about half the size of Indiana
Background Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed and is not expected to occur until at least 2002. 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 - 35.26 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
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 none Thimphu
Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Coastline 1,110 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:
none

conventional short form:
Western Sahara

former:
Spanish Sahara
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan
Currency Moroccan dirham (MAD) ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Death rate - 13.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $NA $245 million (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US none 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 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 claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991 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 $NA substantial aid from India and other nations
Economy - overview Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and lacking sufficient rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level. 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 83.7 million kWh (1999) 380.68 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 1.385 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 21 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 90 million kWh (1999) 1.876 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

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


hydro: 100%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Sebjet Tah -55 m

highest point:
unnamed location 463 m
lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m


highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Environment - current issues sparse water and lack of arable land soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to:
none of the selected agreements

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Arab, Berber Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas--one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 10.590 (January 2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996) 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 none 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 phosphates 62% electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts India 94%, Bangladesh
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
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
GDP purchasing power parity - $NA purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
40%-45% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 45%


industry: 20%


services: 35% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $NA purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note - landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Heliports 1 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
6,200 km

paved:
1,350 km

unpaved:
4,850 km (1991 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 fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Independence - 8 August 1949 (from India)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 9.3% (1996 est.)
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Infant mortality rate - 106.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA% 7% (2000 est.)
International organization participation none 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) 1 (2000) NA
Irrigated land NA sq km 400 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch - Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 12,000 NA


note: massive lack of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Land boundaries total:
2,046 km

border countries:
Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
total: 1,075 km


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

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
19%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
81%
arable land: 2.98%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 96.59% (1998 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Legal system - 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: 53.19 years


male: 53.53 years


female: 52.83 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
NA

total population:
NA%

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 Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references Africa Asia
Maritime claims contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue none (landlocked)
Military branches NA Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $9.3 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 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 - National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality noun:
Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)

adjective:
Sahrawian, Sahraouian
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Bhutanese
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility 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 phosphates, iron ore timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders - 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 250,559 (July 2001 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 - 2.15% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) none
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 56,000 (1997) 37,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Muslim 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: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign has yet to be completed each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system general assessment:
sparse and limited system

domestic:
NA

international:
tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
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 about 2,000 (1999 est.) 6,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) NA
Television broadcast stations NA 0 (1997)
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Total fertility rate - 5 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% NA%
Waterways none none
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