![]() | Society |
Society was traditionally divided into the zhung (monarchy and bureaucracy), dratshang (religious community), and misey (people) without a caste system. During the medieval period, when a loose form of feudalism prevailed, people working for the kings and lords in different dzongs (forts) were categorized by their professions. But the division was not rigid since anyone could rise to the highest position. All people were taxpayers. | |
![]() | Ethnic Groups |
There are three main ethnic groups. Sharchop largely live in eastern Bhutan and the Ngalop of western Bhutan were people of Tibetan descent who immigrated as early as the fifth century. People of Nepalese origin settled in the south of the country toward the end of the nineteenth century. However, the ethnic division is becoming blurred with increasing intermarriage, migration, and settlements. | |
![]() | Food |
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![]() | Government |
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![]() | Politics |
The establishment of monarchy is the watershed event in the history of modern Bhutan. The country enjoyed peace and progress under successive reformist monarchs. The third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck reformed the old psedo-feudal systems by abolishing serfdom, redistributing land, and reforming taxation. He also introduced many executive, legislative, and judiciary reforms.![]() | |
![]() | Administrative Division |
The country is divided into twenty administrative units called dzongkhag. The larger dzongkhags are further divided into sub-district called dungkhag. A group of villages are grouped to form a constituency called gewog and administered by gup who is also elected by the people. Judiciary: His Majesty the King is the final court of appeal. The Royal High Court is the apex of the judiciary system. It is supported by district court in all 20 dzongkhags. There are sub-district courts called dungthrim in larger dzongkhags. At villages the gup and chimis settle petty disputes. |
![]() | Religion |
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![]() | Foreign Relation |
In 2004, Bhutan has a diplomatic relations with 22 countries (including EU), with resident ambassadors in India, Bangladesh, Bangkok, Kuwait and two UN mission offices in New York and Geneva. It has Honorary Consels in 10 countries. It is a member of 45 international organizations. Only India and Bangladesh have residential embassies in Bhutan. | |
![]() | Foreign Trade |
In 2002, Bhutan total export is worth 5,261.8 million, and Nu. 8,023.7 million import, recording a trade deficit of Nu. 2761.9 million. India continues to be the main trading partner (Nu. 4,919.1 million) followed by Bangladesh (22.7 million) and 120.o million from other countries. Electricity, products of chemicals, metal, wood and processed food, mineral products, textiles, stones, cement and asbestos products are the main export items. Bhutan’s import items are fuel, cereals, motor vehicles, machinery and mechanical appliances, metal products, plastic and rubber products. The major importing countries are India (75%), Japan (4%), United Kingdom (4%), Singapore (3%) and Thailand (3%) and 11% from other countries. are. Sale of electricity constitutes 43.7% of the total exports. |