Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Area: total: 47,000 sq km. land: 47,000 sq km. water: 0 sq km. 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 sawanna Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse Population: 2,232,291 (2005 est.) Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), other 15% Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Literacy: 42.2%

Government type: monarchy Executive branch: • chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since July 1972) • head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Sangay NGEDUP (since September 2005) • 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 nominated by the monarch National Holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) ACD Member: ACD Member since 2004 Prime Mover (PM) on Working Group: None Co-Prime Mover on Working Group: None Bhutan government official web site : www.bhutan.gov.bt

Currency (code): ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) GDP: $2.9 billion (2003 est.) GDP per capita: $1,400 (2003 est.) Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Exports - partners: Bangladesh , Japan , France Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Imports - partners: Germany , Japan , Austria , UK Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgarins; dairy products, eggs Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Source : The World Fact Book 2005 (www.cia.gov)