Location:
Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates:
27 30 N, 90 30 E

Map references:
Asia

Area:
total: 38,394 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 38,394 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 137

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Maryland; about one-half the size of Indiana

Land boundaries:
total: 1,136 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (2): China 477 km, India 659 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
More Climate Details

Terrain:
mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Elevation:
mean elevation: 2,220 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
elevation extremes: lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m

Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Land use:
agricultural land: 13.6% arable land 2.6%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 10.7%
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
forest: 85.5%
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 0.9% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
320 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's Bhutanese name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season

Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; limited access to potable water

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes