Bhutan's fifth king, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, will oversee the country's adjustment to the political change that occurred in 2007-08, when it completed the transition from absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy. India will continue to wield enormous influence. The government will attempt to implement a newly formalised economic policy that continues to honour the concept of "gross national happiness". The country will be affected by the global economic downturn and its after-effects, and sectors such as tourism will face significant challenges. Nevertheless, the contribution of the Tala hydroelectric plant and other energy projects will enable sustained real GDP growth and will also improve the country's current-account position. |
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| Key Reports Available for Bhutan |
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| Land area | | 38,394 sq km | | Population | | 634,982 (2005 census) | | Thimphu (capital) 98,676 (2005 census estimate) | | Climate | | The tropical climate in southern Bhutan changes dramatically as the mountains rise steeply to altitudes beyond the tree-line, reaching permanently snow-covered regions in the northern Himalayan region | | Weather in Thimphu (altitude 2,320 metres) | | Hottest month, August, 13.5-30C (average daily minimum and maximum); coldest month, January, -8-20.5C; driest month, November, negligible average monthly rainfall; wettest month, October 134mm average rainfall | | Languages | | There are four main language groups and 18 dialects. Dzongkha, the national language, is spoken in the western part of the country, Bumthang-kha in the centre, Sharchop-kha in the east, and Nepali in the south. English is the main medium in schools and is widely used, especially by the urban population | | Measures | | Metric system | | Currency | | Ngultrum=100 cheltrum. The ngultrum is pegged at parity to the Indian rupee. Average exchange rate in fiscal year 2006/07:Nu44.2:US$1. Exchange rate on March 1st 2008: Nu39.20:US$1 | | Time | | Six hours ahead of GMT | | Fiscal year | | July 1st-June 30th | | Public holidays | | New Year, on the first day of the Bhutanese calendar, fell on February 8th 2008; the birthdays of the fourth and fifth kings are celebrated on November 11th and February 21st respectively; National Day, December 17th; various district-specific Buddhist festivals are observed with the precise dates confirmed by astrologers just before the start of the lunar year | | SOURCE: Country Profile |
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