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Data
code:
BT
Government
type:
monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Capital:
Thimphu
Administrative
divisions:
18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang,
Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi,
Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
Independence:
8 August 1949 (from India)
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
Legal
system:
based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
each family has one vote in village-level elections
Executive
branch:
chief of state: King
head of government: Foreign Minister
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the monarch, approved by the
National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms
note: there is also a Royal Advisory Council, members nominated by the
monarch
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)
Judicial
branch:
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; High Court, judges appointed
by the monarch
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
Economy
:
The economy is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main
livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 40% of GDP.
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.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $2.1 billion (1999 est.)
GDP
- real growth rate:
7% (1999 est.)
GDP
- per capita:
purchasing power parity - $1,060 (1999 est.)
GDP
- composition by sector:
agriculture: 38%
industry: 37%
services: 25% (1998)
Industries:
cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium
carbide
Industrial
production growth rate:
9.3% (1996 est.)
Electricity
- production:
1.788 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity
- production by source:
fossil fuel: 0.39%
hydro: 99.61%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity
- consumption:
345 million kWh (1998)
Electricity
- exports:
1.339 billion kWh
note: exports electricity to India (1998)
Electricity
- imports:
21 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture
- products:
rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Exports:
$111 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports
- commodities:
cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to
India), precious stones, spices
Exports
- partners:
India 94%, Bangladesh
Imports:
$136 million (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports
- commodities:
fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports
- partners:
India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Currency:
1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal tender
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