Bhutan, Thimphu Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Kingdom of Bhutan.

Location: Bhutan is in Southern Asia, between China and India.

Country Climate: Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna.

Major Languages: Dzongkha (official).

Major Religions: Buddhism (official), Hinduism.

Country Population: 0.657 million (2008 est.) 0.664 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Bhutan is based on agriculture, forestry, tourism and the sale of hydroelectric power to India. Agriculture provides the main livelihood for more than 80 percent of the population. Agrarian practices consist largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry.

Currency: Bhutan Ngultrum (BTN).

Country Inflation: 8.4% (2008 est.) 7.0% (2009 est.).

City: Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan.

City Economy: Thimphu became a town in 1961 and grew as the capital of Bhutan. Before 1960, Thimphu was a small settlement but was developed by the King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to replace the ancient capital of Punakha. Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere.

Cost of Living: Thimphu has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Thimphu is currently ranked 278 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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