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Compare Western Sahara (2005) - Bhutan (2007)

Compare Western Sahara (2005) z Bhutan (2007)

 Western Sahara (2005)Bhutan (2007)
 Western SaharaBhutan
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 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 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 (2004 est.) 2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
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 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. 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 births/1,000 population 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 none name: Thimphu


geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E


time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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 - 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: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan


conventional short form: Bhutan


local long form: Druk Gyalkhap


local short form: Druk Yul
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 12.46 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external NA $593 million (2004)
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 - 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 Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals 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 Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. 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 83.7 million kWh (2002) 380 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 1.5 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 20 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 90 million kWh (2002) 2 billion kWh (2005)
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes


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 - 8.868 (2004), 9.5744 (2003), 11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.6256 (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 none 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 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 54.5%, Hong Kong 34.6%, Bangladesh 6.9% (2006)
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 - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: 40% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 24.7%


industry: 37.2%


services: 38.1% (2005)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA -
GDP - real growth rate NA 8.8% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Highways total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts India 76%, Japan 5.5%, Germany 3.2% (2006)
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, 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) NA 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 of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 12,000 NA


note: major shortage of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% agriculture: 63%


industry: 6%


services: 31% (2004 est.)
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: 0.02%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.98% (2001)
arable land: 2.3%


permanent crops: 0.43%


other: 97.27% (2005)
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 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 years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population: 55.17 years


male: 55.38 years


female: 54.96 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


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


total population: 47%


male: 60%


female: 34% (2003 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 - Royal Bhutan Army: Royal Bodyguard, Royal Bhutan Police (2005)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1% (2005 est.)
National holiday - National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawi, 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 carbonate
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 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 273,008 (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 NA 31.7% (2003)
Population growth rate NA 2.082% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) -
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2006)
Religions Muslim 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 none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system general assessment: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 212; 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: 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 about 2,000 (1999 est.) 31,500 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) 82,100 (2006)
Television broadcast stations NA 1 (2006)
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 NA children born/woman 4.67 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 2.5% (2004)
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