$Unique_ID{COW00382}
$Pretitle{235A}
$Title{Bhutan
Country Summary}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{George L. Harris}
$Affiliation{HQ, Department of the Army}
$Subject{bhutan
climate
country
india
miles

}
$Date{1973}
$Log{}
Country:     Bhutan
Book:        Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, An Area Study: Bhutan
Author:      George L. Harris
Affiliation: HQ, Department of the Army
Date:        1973

Country Summary

Authors:
Jackson A. Giddens, Thomas E. Lux, Frederica Bunge, Frances Chadwick Rintz,
Harvey H. Smith

     1. COUNTRY: Kingdom of Bhutan. Some 18,000 square miles in area; roughly
rectangular in shape with greatest east-west distance about 200 miles,
north-south maximum about 110 miles. Country lies south of main Himalayan
range crest. Bordered chiefly by India (east and south) and Tibet (an
autonomous region within the People's Republic of China-PRC) in west and
north; also a short common border with Sikkim.

     2. GOVERNMENT: A sovereign kingdom aspiring to become a constitutional
monarchy. Ruler: Jigme Singhie Wangchuk, druk gyalpo (king)-ascended throne
July 24, 1972. Under the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of 1949, Bhutan is guided "by the
advice" of India in conducting external affairs. The government divided
nominally into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. No political
parties. Formally became member of the United Nations September 1971.

     3. POPULATION: 1969 census reported slightly over 1 million; estimated
growth rate between 2.3 and 2.5 percent; almost entirely rural. Country
comparatively sparsely populated with density under sixty persons per square
mile. Majority of population are Bhote (Bhotia) of Tibetan origin; most others
Nepalese.

     4. TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE: Mountainous except for narrow strips of plain
along southern border. High point, Gangri Peak (24,740 feet), on main crest of
Himalayas. Monsoonal climate with heaviest rains about May to December. In
southern plain areas and lower valleys climate subtropical to 3,500 feet-200
to 300 inches of rain annually. Temperate climate from 3,500 to 5,000 feet-80
to 300 inches of rain annually. Mild, temperate climate from 5,000 to 10,000
feet; above 10,000 feet, cold, temperate climate up to permanent snowline at
about 15,000 feet.

     5. RELIGION: Buddhism predominant and the state religion. Nepalese
minority follows Hindu beliefs.

     6. EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE: School system almost entirely government
operated. More than 110 schools, including junior and senior secondary
schools, teacher training school, and technical school; students number over
15,000. Language: official language, Denjongke; estimated more than two-thirds
of population speak this or related languages of Tibeto-Burman family. Nepali
spoken by minority Nepalese.

     7. HEALTH: Malaria, formerly endemic in southern parts of country,
reportedly eradicated by end of 1960s. Other diseases include tuberculosis,
dysentery, and venereal diseases. Goiter a major health problem. Leprosy
occurs in some areas. Country had five general hospitals, over thirty
dispensaries, and three hospitals to treat leprosy in 1971.

     8. ECONOMY: Based on agriculture. Rice, corn, wheat, mustard, potatoes,
cardamom, oranges major crops. A few light industries; others being
established with Indian assistance. Timber and fruit main exports. All trade
with India, which supplies textiles and light equipment.

     9. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS: No railways. Small air-strips provide
airlink with India. Over 900 miles of major roads also link Bhutan with India
and interconnect principal towns. About 300 miles of telephone lines. Wireless
connects all main administrative centers. Teleprinter service between Thimbu
(Thimphu) and rest of the world. About forty modern domestic post offices;
postal link with outside world. From 1961 to 1972 Bhutan engaged in
development programs, financed entirely by India. State-owned Bank of Bhutan
founded in 1968. Sale of postage stamps only source of convertible foreign
exchange as of 1972.

     10. CURRENCY: Medium of exchange Indian currency; one Bhutanese coin, the
tikchung, also used. Until June 6, 1966, the rate was 4.76 rupees to US$1;
from then until December 17, 1971, the rate was 7.5 rupees to US$1. Since
December 18, 1971, the rate has been 7.28 rupees equivalent to US$1.

     11. THE ARMED FORCES: Army of between 4,000 and 5,000 men, equipped with
modern weapons. Training provided by Indian army training team.