Bhutan:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of Bhutan:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition 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, leaving the remaining cabinet to act as a caretaker regime until a new government assumes power following parliamentary elections. Bhutan will complete its transition to full democracy in 2008, when its first fully democratic elections to a new parliament - expected to be completed by March 2008 - and a concomitant referendum on the draft constitution will take place.

Location	Definition Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates	Definition 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Map references	Definition Asia
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition about one-half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries	Definition total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline	Definition 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims	Definition none (landlocked)
Climate	Definition varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Terrain	Definition mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Natural resources	Definition timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources	Definition 95 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)	Definition total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards	Definition 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	Definition soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements	Definition party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note	Definition landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

Bhutan: Geography

Bhutan:
Geography