The 2005 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

rate:

       0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

      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 (2005 est.)

      Infant mortality rate:

       total: 100.44 deaths/1,000 live births

       male: 98.19 deaths/1,000 live births

       female: 102.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

      Life expectancy at birth:

       total population: 54.39 years

       male: 54.65 years

       female: 54.11 years (2005 est.)

      Total fertility rate:

       4.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

       less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

       less than 100 (1999 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - deaths:

       NA

      Nationality:

       noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)

       adjective: Bhutanese

      Ethnic groups:

       Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of

       several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

      Religions:

       Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

      Languages:

       Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects,

       Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

      Literacy:

       definition: age 15 and over can read and write

       total population: 42.2%

       male: 56.2%

       female: 28.1% (1995 est.)

      Government Bhutan

      Country name:

       conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan

       conventional short form: Bhutan

      Government type:

       monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

      Capital:

       Thimphu

      Administrative divisions:

       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

      Independence:

       8 August 1949 (from India)

      National holiday:

       National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17

       December (1907)

      Constitution:

       no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the King

       commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November 2004

       presented a draft to the Council of Ministers; now awaiting

       referendum

      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; note - in late

       2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law

      Executive branch:

       chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)

       head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo

       Sangay NGEDUP (since 5 September 2005)

       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

      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: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held

       NA 2005)

       election results: NA

      Judicial branch:

       Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed

       by the monarch)

      Political parties and leaders:

       no legal parties

      Political pressure groups and leaders:

       Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant

       antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for

       Democracy (exiled)

      International organization participation:

       AsDB, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, IOM

       (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD,

       UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

      Diplomatic representation in the US:

       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; FAX [1] (212) 826–2998; the Bhutanese mission to the

       UN has consular jurisdiction in the US

       consulate(s) general: New York

      Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)

      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 Bhutan

      Economy - overview:

       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 90% of the