OFFICIAL NAME:
Kingdom of Bhutan 

Geography
Area: 46,500 sq. km.
Cities: Capital--Thimphu (pop. approx. 55,000) Other significant cities--Paro, Phoentsholing, Punakha, Bumthong.
Terrain: Mountainous, from the Himalayas to lower-lying foothills and some savannah.
Climate: Alpine to temperate to subtropical with monsoon season from June to September.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bhutanese.
Population. 2,185,569 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2004 est.)
Annual growth rate: 2.12% (2004 est.). Density--14 per sq. km.
Ethnic
groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of
several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75% (state religion), Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Languages: Dzongka (official language), English (medium of instruction), Sharchop, Nepali.
Education: Years compulsory--11 Literacy--54% (est.). Women's literacy (est.)--20%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--total: 102.56 deaths/1,000 live births; female: 104.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.); male: 100.35 deaths/1,000 live births). Life expectancy--total population: 53.99 years. male: 54.27 years. female: 53.68 years (2004 est.)
Work force (1994): Agriculture--57.2%; government--2%; business--1.4%; others--1.4%. There is a high unemployment rate.

Government
Type:
Evolving from a monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Previously,
various laws and Buddhist values guided the relationship between the
state and the people, but currently a 39-member Drafting Committee
composed of representatives of the people, judiciary, the Monastic
Order, and the Royal Government are writing a Constitution which is
expected to be presented to the National Assembly for ratification in
2005.
National Day: December 17 (1907)
Branches: Executive--king
or Druk Gyalpo (chief of state), prime minister (head of government),
Council of Ministers, Royal Advisory Council (together they make the
Cabinet or Lhengye Zhungtsho).
Advisory--Monastic Order (or Monk Body-Dratshang) Legislative--National Assembly (Tshogdu). Judicial--High
Court (Thrimkhang Gogma), District Courts, and local area arbitration.
Administrative subdivisions: 20. Political parties: None.
Suffrage: Registered resident with legitimate citizenship, age 21 and above.

Economy
GDP (2001): U.S.$482 million.
Real growth rate (2002-03): 6.0%.
Per capita GDP (2002): U.S.$1,300.
Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, timber, gypsum, calcium carbide.
Agriculture and forestry (all figs., 2001): 33.8% of GDP.
Construction: 11.8% of GDP.
Finance: 10.3% of GDP.
Transport and communication: 10% of GDP.
Electricity: 9.9% of GDP.
Government service: 9.9% of GDP.
Manufacturing: 9.8% of GDP.
Trade: Exports

(2001-02)--U.S.$ 97.7 million: hydroelectricity, vegetables and fruits,
processed foods, minerals, wood products, textiles, machinery. Imports
(2001-02)--U.S.$188.4 million: machinery, mechanical appliances and
electronics, plastics and rubber products, textiles, whiskies and
prepared foodstuffs, medicines and pharmaceuticals, vegetable oils and
foodstuffs.
Major trade partners: India, Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore, Denmark.

PEOPLE
The
people of Bhutan can be divided into three broad ethnic
categories--Ngalops, Sharchops, and Lhotsampas. The Ngalops make up the
majority of the population, living mostly in the western and central
areas. The Ngalops are thought to be of Tibetan origin arriving in
Bhutan during the 8th and 9th centuries A.D. and bringing Buddhism with
them. Most Ngalops follow the Drukpa Kagyupa discipline of Mahayana
Buddhism. The Ngalops predominate in the government, and the civil
service and their cultural norms have been declared by the monarchy to
be the standard for all citizens.

The
Sharchops, who live in the eastern section of Bhutan, are considered to
be descended from the earliest major group to inhabit Bhutan. Most
follow the Ningmapa discipline of Mahayana Buddhism. Sharchop is
translated as "people of the east." The Ngalops and Sharchops are
collectively known as Drukpas and account for about 74% of the
population. The national language is Dzongka, but English is the
language of instruction in schools and an official working language for
the government.

The
Lhotsampas are people of Nepali descent, currently making up 25% of the
population. They came to Bhutan in the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly
settling in the southern foothills to work as farmers. They speak a
variety of Nepali dialects and are predominantly Hindu.

HISTORY
Bhutan's
early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. It may have
been inhabited as early as 2000 B.C., but not much was known until the
introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century A.D. when turmoil
in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century A.D.,
the Drukpa Kagyupa school was established and remains the dominant form
of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's political history is
intimately tied to its religious history and the relations among the
various monastic schools and monasteries.

The
consolidation of Bhutan occurred in 1616 when Ngawana Namgyal, a lama
from Tibet, defeated three Tibetan invasions, subjugated rival
religious schools, codified an intricate and comprehensive system of
law, and established himself as ruler (shabdrung) over a system of
ecclesiastical and civil administrators. After his death, infighting
and civil war eroded the power of the shabdrung for the next 200 years
when in 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck was able to consolidate power and
cultivated closer ties with the British in India.

In
1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the hereditary ruler of Bhutan,
crowned on December 17, 1907, and installed as the head of state Druk
Gyalpo (Dragon King). In 1910, King Ugyen and the British signed the
Treaty of Punakha which provided that British India would not interfere
in the internal affairs of Bhutan if the country accepted external
advice in its external relations. When Ugyen Wangchuck died in 1926,
his son Jigme Wangchuck became the next ruler, and when India gained
independence in 1947, the new Indian Government recognized Bhutan as an
independent country. In 1949, India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of
Peace and Friendship, which provided that India would not interfere in
Bhutan's internal affairs but would be guided by India in its foreign
policy. Succeeded in 1952 by his son Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Bhutan
began to slowly emerge from its isolation and began a program of
planned development. Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in
1971, and during his tenure the National Assembly was established and a
new code of law, as well as the Royal Bhutanese Army and the High
Court.

In
1972, the present king, Jigme Singye Wanchuck, ascended the throne at
age 16. He has emphasized modern education, decentralization of
governance, the development of hydroelectricity and tourism and
improvements in rural developments. The current king has established an
overarching development philosophy of "Gross National Happiness." It
recognizes that there are many dimensions to development and that
economic goals alone are not sufficient.

POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Traditionally
a decentralized theocracy and, since 1907, a monarchy, Bhutan is
evolving into a constitutional monarchy with a representative
government. In 2002, the election laws were changed so that each
citizen over the age of 21 could vote by secret ballot for a
representative to the National Assembly (Tshongdu) when previously,
only one vote per family was allowed. The Tshongdu is composed of about
150 members, including some appointed from the Monk Body as well as
some senior government representatives. They in turn elect the Council
of Ministers. Prior to 2003, the Council had six members and rotated
the responsibility as prime minister and head of government between
each one for a period of one year, but in 2003, the National Assembly
elected four additional ministers and also selected a prime minister to
serve for the next 3 years.

The
spiritual head of Bhutan, the Je Khempo--the only person besides the
king who wears the saffron scarf, an honor denoting his authority over
all religious institutions--is nominated by monastic leaders and
appointed by the king. The Monk Body is involved in advising the
government on many levels.

Bhutan
is divided into 20 districts or dzongkhags, each headed by a district
officer (dzongda) who must be elected. In addition, each district also
is broken into smaller areas known as geog (village), led by a locally
elected leader called a gup. There are 201 elected gups. In 2002, the
National Assembly created a new structure for local governance at the
geog level. Each local area is responsible for creating and
implementing its own development plan, in coordination with the
district.

Principal Government Officials (August 2003)
Head of State--King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Prime Minister, head of government and Home Minister--Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuck
Minister for Finance--Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu
Minister for Trade and Industry--Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba
Minister for Agriculture--Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup
Minister for Education--Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho
Minister for Health--Lyonpo (Dr.) Jigme Singay
Minister for Labor and Human Resources--Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering
Minister for Works and Human Settlements--Lyonpo (Dr.) Kizang Dorji
Minister for Information and Communications--Lyonpo Leki Dorji
Ambassador to the United Nations Headquarters--Vacant as of 11/1/03

The
United States and the Kingdom of Bhutan have not established formal
diplomatic relations; however, the two governments have informal and
cordial relations.

Bhutan
maintains a Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. The
address is763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; tel: 212-682-2268, fax:
212-661-0551.

ECONOMY
The
economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on
agriculture, forestry, and hydroelectricity. Rugged terrain makes it
difficult to develop roads and other infrastructure. The economic
program in the current 5-year-plan (2002-07) places a strong emphasis
on improving education and infrastructure with a special emphasis on
increasing activities in the sectors of information and communication
technology, energy, and tourism. Bhutan has applied for membership in
the World Trade Organization and is in the process of developing clear
legal and regulatory systems designed to promote business development.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

India
Relations
between India and Bhutan are governed by the 1949 Treaty of Peace and
Friendship. The treaty ensures India's neutrality in Bhutan's internal
affairs, in exchange for Bhutan's agreement to be guided by India in
foreign policy matters. India is Bhutan's largest donor and supplies
approximately 80% of Bhutan's foreign assistance. In recent years,
insurgents on the Indian side of the border from the United Liberation
Front of Assam (ULFA) and the Bodos have used Bhutan as a safe haven.
Bhutan has requested the insurgents to leave on several occasions in
2001 and 2002. However, the Bhutanese Government finds itself facing an
increased number of insurgents in 2003 and has threatened military
action against them if negotiations for their voluntary withdrawal fail
in the next few months.

China
Bhutan and China do not have diplomatic relations, although border talks between the two nations have occurred.

Nepal
These
two countries established diplomatic relations in 1983. Nepal and
Bhutan are currently negotiating to resolve a 13-year-old refugee
situation, in which 100,000 refugees are residing in seven UNHCR camps
in Nepal. Most of the refugees claim they are Bhutanese citizens, while
Bhutan alleges that most are non-nationals or "voluntary emigrants,"
who forfeited their citizenship rights. In 2003, a joint Bhutan-Nepal
verification team categorized refugees from one camp into four groups.
A repatriation process is expected to begin in 2004.

United Nations
Bhutan
became a member of the United Nations in 1971. Bhutan does not have
diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members of the U.N.
Security Council. Bhutan was elected to the UN Commission on Human
Rights in 2003 and will serve until 2006.

Other Countries
Bhutan
enjoys diplomatic relations with seven European nations, which form The
"Friends of Bhutan" group, together with Japan. These countries are
Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, and
Austria. Also known as donor nations, they contribute generously to
Bhutanese development and social programs. Bhutan also has diplomatic
relations with South Korea, Canada, Australia, Kuwait, Thailand,
Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

DEFENSE
Bhutan
has 8,000 members in five military branches: the Royal Bhutan Army,
Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, and Forest
Guards. In FY 2002, the Bhutanese Government spent 1.9% of its GDP on
the military or $U.S.9.3 million. India maintains a permanent military
training presence in Bhutan through IMTRAT, the Indian Military
Training Team.

U.S.-BHUTAN RELATIONS
The
U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, has consular responsibilities for
Bhutan, but U.S. citizens also may request assistance from U.S.
Embassies in Kathmandu, Nepal, or Dhaka, Bangladesh. The United States
and Bhutan do not have diplomatic relations, and the United States does
not give foreign assistance to Bhutan. Informal contact is maintained
through the U.S. Embassy and the Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi. Bhutan
does participate in a regional program for South Asia sponsored by the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that helps countries
develop their power infrastructure (SARI-E). A few Bhutanese military
officers have attended courses at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security
Studies. The U.S. Government annually brings several Bhutanese
participants to United States through its International Visitors
Program.

Principal U.S. Officials (U.S. Embassy, India)
Ambassador-- David C. Mulford
Deputy Chief of Mission--Robert O. Blake
Public Affairs---Michael H. Anderson
Political Affairs Geoffrey R. Pyatt
Economic Affairs--Lee H. Brudvig
Scientific Affairs--Dr. Marco DiCapua
Commercial Affairs--John Peters
Agricultural Affairs--Chad Russell
Management Affairs--Steven J. White
Consular Affairs--William Bartlett
USAID Mission, Director--Walter E. North

The U.S. Embassy in
India is located on Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 (tel.
91-11-2419-8000) (fax: 91-11-24190017). Embassy and consulate working
hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visa application
hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please consult the Consular Affairs Web site. Further information about Bhutan also can be obtained at the official Web site of Bhutan's Tourism Corporation.

TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The
U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides
Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements.
Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include
information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health
conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political
disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements

are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas
that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free
copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of
Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system:
202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are
available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov.
Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain
information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are
on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.

Emergency information concerning
Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas
Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies,
Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000.

The National Passport Information Center
(NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public
contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT
(1-877-487-2778). Customer service representatives and operators for
TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, excluding federal holidays.

Travelers can check the latest health
information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web
site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or
requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions
and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International
Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.

Information on travel conditions, visa
requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and
other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your
departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for
this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this
publication).

U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov

or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a
country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their
passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an
emergency.


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