Bhutan
PROFILE
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: Drukpa 50% (which is also inclusive of Sharchops),
as well as ethnic Nepalese (Lhotsampas) 35%, and 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.). Primary
school gross enrollment rate (2004)--81%. Women's literacy (2004)--34%.
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 66.1 years; female 65.9 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 (2004): 6.5%.
Per capita GDP (2004): U.S. $929.60.
Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, construction, 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. In a country that is deeply rooted within the Buddhist
religion, many people's sect of religion, as opposed to their
ethnic group, characterizes them. 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 descendants of 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, Sharchops, and the indigenous tribal
people are collectively known as Drukpas and account for about
65% 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 35% 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.
GOVERNMENT AND 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); 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 the
prime minister.
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
Head of State--King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Prime Minister (Head of Government) and Minister for Agriculture--Lyonpo
Sangay Ngedup
Minister for Trade and Industry--Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba
Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs--Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuck
Minister for Finance--Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu
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--Lyonpo Daw Penjo
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 is 763 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.
Despite this constraint, hydroelectricity and construction continue
to be the two major industries of growth for the country. As these
two areas are increasing productivity, there continues to be a
positive outlook for development throughout Bhutan. 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. After the global slowdown within
the travel industry, Bhutan’s tourist industry is beginning
to show signs of recovery.
Bhutan’s economy has been on an upturn due
to recent subregional economic cooperation efforts. Already this
plan has strengthened the current trade relations with India,
as well as opened an avenue of trade with Bangladesh. In May 2003,
the Bilateral Free Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan
was re-signed. Bangladesh is Bhutan’s second largest trade
partner, after India. In January 2004, as a member of the South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bhutan also
joined the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). In February
2004 Bhutan joined the Bangladesh, Indian, Myanmar, Singapore,
and Thailand Economic Cooperation Forum (BIMSTEC). 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. But in practice,
Bhutan exercises sovereignty on many issues. 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. In December 2003,
Bhutan military troops expelled Indian insurgents from Assam.
Through this joint effort with India, Bhutan strengthened border
security and continued cooperation with the Indian military.
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, but progress remains
stalled.
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 UN 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--James Forbes
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.
Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.state.gov,
the Department of State web site provides timely, global access
to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background
Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key
officers of Foreign Service posts and more.
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related
assistance and market information offered by the federal government
and provides trade leads, free export counseling, help with the
export process, and more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department
of Commerce, provides authoritative economic, business, and international
trade information from the Federal government. The site includes
current and historical trade-related releases, international market
research, trade opportunities, and country analysis and provides
access to the National Trade Data Bank.
