| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BTISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BTNISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | ThimphuGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | AsiaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | BhutanCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Kingdom of BhutanCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | Druk YulCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | name may derive from the Sanskrit words bhoṭa, the name for Tibet, and anta, meaning "end" -- a reference to Bhutan's location at the southernmost end of Tibet; the local Dzongkha name Druk Yul means "Land of the Dragon"CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchyCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 17 December 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king); 8 August 1949 (Treaty of Friendship with India maintains Bhutanese independence)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | No authoritative open source found |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | BTNISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | NgultrumISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 20ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Bumthang / Chhukha / Dagana / Gasa / Haa / Lhuentse / Monggar / Paro / Pema Gatshel / Punakha / Samdrup Jongkhar / Samtse / Sarpang / Thimphu / Trashi Yangtse / Trashigang / Trongsa / Tsirang / Wangdue Phodrang / ZhemgangISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | "Research completed September 1991." Supercedes the 1973 ed. of Area handbook for Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim, written by George L. Harris [et al.]. Includes bibliographical references (p. 369-393) and index. Also available in digital form.LoC FRD Country Studies [2026] |
| National symbols | mythical thunder dragon (druk)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom); lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI; history: adopted 1953CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | orange, yellowCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: no; citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Bhutan; dual citizenship recognized: no; residency requirement for naturalization: 10 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
name may derive from the Sanskrit words bhoṭa , the name for Tibet, and anta , meaning "end" -- a reference to Bhutan's location at the southernmost end of Tibet; the local Dzongkha name Druk Yul means "Land of the Dragon"
description: divided diagonally from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; the upper triangle is yellow, and the lower triangle is dark orange; centered along the dividing line is a large, stylized black-and-white dragon facing to the right; the dragon is called the Druk (Thunder Dragon) and is the national emblem meaning: white stands for purity, and the jewels in the dragon's claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent the spiritual and secular powers in Bhutan, with orange standing for Buddhism and yellow for the ruling dynasty
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
