Bhutan:
Geography

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


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 some 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. A referendum date has yet to be named, but should occur in 2008. 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.

Location	Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates	27 30 N, 90 30 E
Map references	Asia
Area	total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	about 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: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 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)
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 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note	landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes