Area comparison map:

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

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