Part 11
Overview: The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural diversification program.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $575 million (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $2,750 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1991)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)
Budget: revenues: $126.8 million expenditures: $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY90/91 est.)
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood partners: US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)
Imports: $281 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals partners: US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)
External debt: $158 million (1992)
Industrial production: growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 34,532 kW production: 110 million kWh consumption per capita: 490 kWh (1993)
Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Agriculture: commercial crops: bananas, coca, citrus fruits, fish, cultured shrimp, lumber
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center
Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $215 million
Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Belize:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,710 km paved: 500 km unpaved: gravel 1,600 km; improved earth 300 km; unimproved earth 310 km
Inland waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable
Ports: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Merchant marine: total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 170,002 GRT/270,893 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 25, container 4, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 1
Airports: total: 46 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 35 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 9
@Belize:Communications
Telephone system: 8,650 telephones; above-average system based on microwave radio relay local: NA intercity: microwave radio relay international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio: broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 radios: NA
Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA
@Belize:Defense Forces
Branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 50,499; males fit for military service 30,040; males reach military age (18) annually 2,285 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11 million, 2.2% of GDP (FY93/94)
________________________________________________________________________
BENIN
@Benin:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 112,620 sq km land area: 110,620 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 35% other: 45%
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Note: no natural harbors
@Benin:People
Population: 5,522,677 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 1,324,553; male 1,333,673) 15-64 years: 49% (female 1,431,630; male 1,299,180) 65 years and over: 3% (female 74,119; male 59,522) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.33% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 47.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 13.93 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 107.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.24 years male: 50.34 years female: 54.2 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%
Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 23% male: 32% female: 16%
Labor force: 1.9 million (1987) by occupation: agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%, industry less than 2%
@Benin:Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey
Digraph: BN
Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Capital: Porto-Novo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou
Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990)
Constitution: 2 December 1990
Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Nicephore SOGLO (since 4 April 1991); election last held 10 and 24 March 1991 (next election 1996); results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32% cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 28 March 1995; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (83 total) Renaissance Party and allies 20, PRD 19, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2, Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, ADP 1, other 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: as of August 1994, 72 political parties were officially recognized; the following are among the most important: Alliance of the Democratic Union for the Forces of Progress (UDFP), Timothee ADANLIN; Movement for Democracy and Social Progress (MDPS), Jean-Roger AHOYO; Union for Liberty and Development (ULD), Marcellin DEGBE; Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development (PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress (UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Our Common Cause (NCC), Albert TEVOEDJRE; National Rally for Democracy (RND), Joseph KEKE; Alliance of the National Movement for Democracy and Development (MNDD), leader NA; Movement for Solidarity, Union, and Progress (MSUP), Adebo ADENIYI; Union for Democracy and National Reconstruction (UDRN), Azaria FAKOREDE; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity (UDS), Mama Amadou N'DIAYE; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for National Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Alliance for Social Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Bloc for Social Democracy (BSD), Michel MAGNIDE; Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Akindes ADEKPEDJOU, and the Democratic Union for Social Renewal (UDRS), Bio Gado Seko N'GOYE; National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP), Robert TAGNON; Party for Progress and Democracy, Thiophile NATA; FARD-ALAFIA, Mathieu KEREKOU; The Renaissance Party, Nicephore SOGLO; The Patriotic Union for the Republic (UPR), Jean-Marie ZAHOUN; Union for the Conservation of Democracy, Bernard HOUEGNON
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN chancery: 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656, 6657, 6658 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ruth A. DAVIS embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92 FAX: [229] 41-15-22
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
@Benin:Economy
Overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a sound 4% in 1991-94 but this rate barely exceeds the rapid population growth of 3.3%. Inflation jumped to 35% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency devaluation in January. Commercial and transport activities, which make up almost 36% of GDP, are extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in Nigerian demand. The industrial sector accounts for less than 10% of GDP and mainly produces foods, beverages, cement, and textiles. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a bloated civil service, is gradually implementing a World Bank supported structural adjustment program.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $6.7 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,260 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $272 million (1993 est.) expenditures: $375 million, including capital expenditures of $84 million (1993 est.)
Exports: $332 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa partners: FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4%
Imports: $571 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods partners: France 20%, Thailand 8%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%
External debt: $1 billion (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate -0.7% (1988); accounts for 10% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 10 million kWh consumption per capita: 25 kWh (1993)
Industries: textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, food, petroleum
Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP; small farms produce 90% of agricultural output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum, cassava, yams, beans, rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US
Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $46 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million
Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990) note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Benin:Transportation
Railroads: total: 578 km (single track) narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 8,435 km paved: 1,038 km unpaved: crushed stone 2,600 km; improved earth 1,530 km; unimproved earth 3,267 km
Inland waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally
Ports: Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 7 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 4
@Benin:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; fair system of open wire and microwave radio relay local: NA intercity: microwave radio relay and open wire international: 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station, submarine cable
Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Television: broadcast stations: 2 televisions: NA
@Benin:Defense Forces
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,165,463; females age 15-49 1,249,234; males fit for military service 596,956; females fit for military service 631,780; males reach military age (18) annually 60,282 (1995 est.); females reach military age (18) annually 58,770 (1995 est.) note: both sexes are liable for miltary service
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 3.2% of GDP (1994)
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BERMUDA
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Bermuda:Geography
Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Map references: North America
Area: total area: 50 sq km land area: 50 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) international agreements: NA
Note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed land leased by US Government
@Bermuda:People
Population: 61,629 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 15.07 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.03 years male: 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39%
Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99%
Labor force: 32,000 by occupation: clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1984)
@Bermuda:Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda
Digraph: BD
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Hamilton
Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution: 8 June 1968
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992) head of government: Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982); Deputy Premier J. Irving PEARMAN (since 5 October 1993) cabinet: Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor House of Assembly: elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - percent of vote by party UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats - (40 total) UBP 22, PLP 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL
Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS
Member of: CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. FARMER consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727-1002 telephone: [1] (809) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (809) 295-1592
Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
@Bermuda:Economy
Overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1994)
National product per capita: $28,000 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1991)
Budget: revenues: $327.5 million expenditures: $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY90/91 est.)
Exports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports of pharmaceuticals partners: US 62.4%, UK 20%
Imports: $519 million (f.o.b.,1993) commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery partners: US 38%, UK 5%, Canada 5%
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 140,000 kW production: 504 million kWh consumption per capita: 7,745 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Agriculture: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products
Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million
Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Bermuda:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 210 km paved: 210 km note: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned
Ports: Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine: total: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,144,245 GRT/5,152,030 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 4, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 15, oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 12 countries among which are UK 6 ships, Canada 4, US 4, Sweden 3, Hong Kong 2, Mexico 2, Norway 2, Australia 1, Germany 1, NZ 1
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
@Bermuda:Communications
Telephone system: 52,670 telephones; modern, fully automatic telephone system local: NA intercity: NA international: 3 submarine cables; 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth stations
Radio: broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Television: broadcast stations: 2 televisions: NA
@Bermuda:Defense Forces
Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
________________________________________________________________________
BHUTAN
@Bhutan:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references: Asia
Area: total area: 47,000 sq km land area: 47,000 sq km comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries: total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: none
Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 70% other: 23%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water natural hazards: violent storms coming down 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 international agreements: party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
@Bhutan:People
Population: 1,780,638 (July 1995 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 600,000
Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (female 342,276; male 368,916) 15-64 years: 56% (female 486,258; male 513,560) 65 years and over: 4% (female 34,215; male 35,413) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.34% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 39.02 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 15.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 118.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.03 years male: 51.56 years female: 50.48 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.39 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Literacy: NA%
Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: massive lack of skilled labor
@Bhutan:Government
Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan
Digraph: BT
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)
National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king)
Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights
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 and Head of Government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde): nominated by the king cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog); appointed by the king
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu); no national elections
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: no legal parties
Other political or pressure groups: Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign
Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: Bhutan has no embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Ugyen TSERING, located at 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; note - the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s): San Francisco; Washington, DC
US diplomatic representation: no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
@Bhutan:Economy
Overview: The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about half 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 small and 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; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much of the impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies. Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralized development planning and greater private initiative. The government privatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its trade regime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industrial licensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreased from 13% in 1988 to about 11% in 1993.