The Kingdom of Bhutan is located in South Asia. It is a landlocked country and is surrounded by Republic of India to the south, east, and west and by People's Republic of China to the north.
The exact etymology of Bhutan is unclear. Some suggest that Bhutan derives its name from the Tibetan endonym Bod, used for Greater Tibet. Others suggest that it is a transcription of the "Bhota-anta', a Sanskrit word meaning the end of Tibet.
How big is Bhutan?
Bhutan covers an area of 14,824 square miles and has an estimated population of 708,427. Its geographic coordinates are 27 30N, 90 30E.
What is the currency of Bhutan?
Since 1974, the Bhutanese ngultrum has been the official currency of Bhutan. Its ISO 4217 code is BTN. It is subdivided into 100 chhertum and is issued by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.
What is the capital of Bhutan?
Located in the western central region of Bhutan, Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. It has been the capital of the kingdom since 1961. It is the political and economic center of the country.
Which is the largest city of Bhutan?
The capital city of Thimphu is also the largest city of Bhutan. Its geographic coordinates are 27 28N, 89 38E. The city is located at an elevation of 2,320 meters and has an estimated population of 79,185.
What is the official language of Bhutan?
Dzongkha or Bhutanese is the national language of Bhutan. A large portion of the population also speaks Tshangla and Nepali. Limbu, Kheng, and Dzala are the minority languages spoken in the country.
What is the religion of Bhutan?
Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion. Approximately two-third of the population follows the state religion, while one-third practices Hinduism. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the legal framework of the country.
What is the literacy rate of Bhutan?
The total literacy rate of Bhutan is 59.9%.
Who is the political leader of Bhutan?
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the reigning king of Bhutan. He became the king on December 14, 2006 and was crowned on November 6, 2008. Jigme Thinley is the current Prime Minister of Bhutan. He assumed office on April 9, 2008.
When is the national day of Bhutan celebrated?
The national Day of Bhutan is celebrated on December 17. It commemorates the coronation of the first king of Bhutan in 1907. The crowning marked a beginning of a peaceful era in Bhutan's history.
What is the economy of Bhutan like?
Bhutan's economy is heavily dependent upon agriculture and forestry. It is one of the smallest and least developed economies in the world. In 2008, the GDP and the GDP per capita were $3.789 billion and $5,600 respectively. Services sector accounts for 39.8%, followed by industry: 37.9%, and agriculture: 22.3%. Although the unemployment rate stands at 2.5%, 31.7% of the population lives below poverty line. Major industries include cement, wood products, processes fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, and tourism. Major trade flows are with India, Hongkong, Bangladesh, Sweden, and Japan.
