Head of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Population
21,481,334
716,896
Life Expectancy
75.940 years
67.880 years
Capital City
Colombo
Thimphu
Largest city
Colombo (population: 648,034)
Thimphu (population: 98,676)
Human Development Index
0.742
0.613
GDP per capita
$5,700 US
$6,200 US
Literacy Rate
90.7%
47%
Corruption Perception Index
3.2
5.2
Percentage of Women in Parliament
5.8%
13.9%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
4.200%
4.000%
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice
Abolished
Political System
republic
in transition to constitutional monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Independence date
4 February 1948 (from UK)
1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)
Religions
Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Languages
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Exports
textiles and apparel, tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 108.33 (2008), 110.78 (2007), 103.99 (2006), 100.498 (2005), 101.194 (2004)
ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.600%
1.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Southern Asia, between China and India
Area
65,610 km sq
38,394 km sq
Coastline
1,340 km
0 km
Climate
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
