General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place,
Washington, DC 20520-5300
telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233
Flag description:
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing
on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the
sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the
outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled
with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to
settling of Bermuda
note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas
territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue
National anthem:
name: "Hail to Bermuda"
lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United
Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Bermuda
Economy - overview:
Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world,
more than 50% higher than that of the US; the average cost of a
house by the mid-2000s exceeded $1,000,000. Its economy is primarily
based on providing financial services for international business and
luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies
relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and
again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the
expansion of an already robust international business sector.
Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors
from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number
two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported.
Bermuda's industrial sector is largely focused on construction and
agriculture is limited, with only 20% of the land being arable.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.5 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
4.6% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$69,900 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 10%
services: 89% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
38,360 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 200
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture and fishing: 3%
laborers: 17%
clerical: 19%
professional and technical: 21%
administrative and managerial: 15%
sales: 7%
services: 19% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.1% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Population below poverty line:
19% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (November 2005)
country comparison to the world: 86
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.36 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 95
$1.912 billion (31 December 2008)
$2.731 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
Industries:
international business, tourism, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
675.6 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - consumption:
628.3 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - imports:
4,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Exports:
$763 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 160
Exports - commodities:
reexports of pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners:
Spain 16.91%, India 10.15%, Brazil 9.55%, Germany 7.4% (2009)
Imports:
$1.162 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 168
Imports - commodities:
clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction
materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Imports - partners:
US 31.2%, South Korea 26.71%, Brazil 6.77%, Ireland 6.11%, Singapore
5.35% (2009)
Debt - external:
$160 million (FY99/00)
country comparison to the world: 177
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to
the US dollar)
Communications ::Bermuda
Telephones - main lines in use:
57,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 157
Telephones - mobile cellular:
85,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 187
Telephone system:
general assessment: good
domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic
trunk lines
international: country code - 1-441; landing points for the
GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, and the Challenger Bermuda-1
(CB-1)submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007)
Broadcast media:
3 television stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services
are available; roughly 10 radio stations operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.bm
Internet hosts:
19,855 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 112
Internet users:
54,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 172
Transportation ::Bermuda
Airports:
1 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 236
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 447 km
country comparison to the world: 196
paved: 447 km
note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 139
country comparison to the world: 43
by type: bulk carrier 22, chemical tanker 3, container 15, liquefied
gas 38, passenger 26, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20,
refrigerated cargo 9
foreign-owned: 114 (China 13, France 1, Germany 15, Greece 2, Hong
Kong 5, Ireland 2, Israel 3, Japan 2, Monaco 2, Nigeria 11, Norway
5, Sweden 17, UK 11, US 25)
registered in other countries: 180 (Bahamas 12, Cyprus 1, Greece 3,
Hong Kong 12, Isle of Man 7, Liberia 4, Malta 8, Marshall Islands
34, Norway 5, Panama 15, Philippines 43, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 1, Singapore 21, UK 9, US 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George
Military ::Bermuda
Military branches:
Bermuda Regiment (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary or compulsory enlistment in the
Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18; term of service is
38 months (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,217 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 12,405
females age 16-49: 12,327 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 436
female: 397 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.11% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Bermuda
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Bhutan (South Asia)
Introduction ::Bhutan
Background:
In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under
which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding
some border land to British India. Under British influence, a
monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed
whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal
affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs.
This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years
later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan
annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country
received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and
foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in
Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the
government's draft constitution - which would introduce major
democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for
its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his
son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience
as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007,
India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater
autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu
continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New
Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet
resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a
caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the
country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king
ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008.
Geography ::Bhutan
Location:
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates:
27 30 N, 90 30 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 38,394 sq km
country comparison to the world: 136
land: 38,394 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,075 km
border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m
highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
Land use:
arable land: 2.3%
permanent crops: 0.43%
other: 97.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
95 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
violent storms 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
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls
several key Himalayan mountain passes
People ::Bhutan
Population:
699,847
country comparison to the world: 164
note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first
modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook
population estimates for this country, which were on the order of
three times the total population reported here, were based on
Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census
(July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.3 years
male: 25 years
female: 23.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.236% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Birth rate:
19.62 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Death rate:
7.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 88
Urbanization:
urban population: 35% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female
total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 46.92 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 55
male: 47.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 45.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.71 years
country comparison to the world: 158
male: 65.89 years
female: 67.57 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.29 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
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: 47%
male: 60%
female: 34% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
Government ::Bhutan
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan
local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
local short form: Druk Yul
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Thimphu
geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha,
Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro,
Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang,
Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
Independence:
1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)
National holiday:
National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17
December (1907)
Constitution:
ratified 18 July 2008
Legal system:
based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14
December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the
throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him;
the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and
his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an
astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new king,
who had limited experience, deeper administrative expertise under
the guidance of this father
head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008)
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 are nominated by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary, but democratic reforms in
July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the
monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly
occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party nominated
as the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council
(25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts
(dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the
King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by
direct, popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007
and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National
Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by
March 2013)
election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent
of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed
by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme
Court that will serve as chief court of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT
[Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled)
other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading
militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community
International organization participation:
ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM,
OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular
jurisdiction in the US; the permanent representative to the UN is
Daw PENJO; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone
[1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551
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; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the
emblem of the nation; its white color stands for purity and the
jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors
represent spiritual and secular powers within Bhutan: the orange is
associated with Bhuddism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty
National anthem:
name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
note: adopted 1953
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 60% of the population. 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 and dependence on India's
financial assistance. 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. Model education, social, and environment programs 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. For
example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist
sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious
tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such
as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to
hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted
Bhutan's overall growth. New hydropower projects will be the driving
force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain
growth in the coming years.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.526 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$3.301 billion (2009 est.)
$3.123 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.397 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
5.7% (2009 est.)
2.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
$4,800 (2009 est.)
$4,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.6%
industry: 45%
services: 37.4% (2006)
Labor force:
299,900
country comparison to the world: 164
note: major shortage of skilled labor (2008)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 63%
industry: 6%
services: 31% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 36
2.5% (2004)
Population below poverty line:
23.2% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 37.6% (2003)
Public debt:
57.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 40
81.4% of GDP (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
4.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$335 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 164
$381.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of broad money:
$NA (31 December 2009)
$647.6 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$169.9 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Industries:
cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages,
calcium carbide, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.48 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - consumption:
184 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - exports:
1.296 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - imports:
1,250 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Current account balance:
$164 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$116 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$513 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
$350 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:
electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide,
copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil
Exports - partners:
India 86.3%, Bangladesh 8.1%, Italy 1.5% (2008)
Imports: