Bhutan

Government Monarchy.

Geography
Mountainous Bhutan, is situated on the southeast slope of the Himalayas, bordered on the north and east by Tibet and on the south and west and east by India. The landscape consists of a succession of lofty and rugged mountains and deep valleys. In the north, towering peaks reach a height of 7,315 m.

Historical 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. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms. Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk resigned in July 2007 so he could join a political party in anticipation of the country's first elections, held in March 2008, with turnout at about 80%. Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji took over as the interim prime minister. Parliamentary elections, Bhutan's first national election, were The pro-monarchy Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, translated as the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party, won 44 out of 47 seats in Parliament, trouncing the People's Democratic Party. The election marked Bhutan's transition from an absolute monarchy to a democracy. In April, Lyonpo Jigme Thinley, of the Peace and Prosperity Party, became prime minister. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned king in November. At age 28, he is the world's youngest monarch. Jigme studied in India and the U.S. and received a master's degree in international relations from Oxford

Capital

Thimphu

Government

Constitutional democratic monarchy
 -  King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
 -  Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley

Language

Dzongkha

Religion

Hinduism

Area

Total 38,816 km2  14,987 sq mi 

Population

2009 estimate 691,141[1] (161st)

 - 2005 census 634,982[2] 
 - Density 18.1/km2 (154th) 47/sq mi

Currency

Ngultrum2 (BTN)

GDP

2009 estimate Total $3.518 billion[3] Per capita $5,212