View source for Districts of Bhutan

{{short description|Administrative and judicial district of Bhutan}}
{{redirect|DYT|the airport|Sky Harbor Airport & Seaplane Base}}
[[File:Bhutan (+claims), administrative divisions - en - monochrome.svg|upright=2.5|thumb|500px|alt=A map of Bhutan showing its 20 dzongkhags|A map of Bhutan showing its 20 {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}}]]
[[File:Bhutan Map en dz.png|upright=2.5|thumb|500px|alt=A map of Bhutan showing its 20 dzongkhags|A map of Bhutan showing its 20 {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}} in [[Dzongkha]]]]
{{Politics of Bhutan}}
[[File:View of Tashichodzong from the NE.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=View of Tashichodzong in Thimphu|View of [[Tashichho Dzong]] in [[Thimphu]], the largest {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} in Bhutan by population]]
The [[Bhutan|Kingdom of Bhutan]] is divided into 20 districts ([[Dzongkha]]: {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}}). Bhutan is located between the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] of [[China]] and [[India]] on the eastern slopes of the [[Himalayas]] in [[South Asia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/abt_geography.php|title=Geography of Bhutan|publisher=Government of Bhutan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426200205/http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/abt_geography.php|archive-date=2012-04-26}}</ref>

{{transliteration|dz|Dzongkhags}} are the primary [[subdivisions of Bhutan]].  They possess a number of powers and rights under the [[Constitution of Bhutan]], such as regulating commerce, running elections, and creating local governments. [[Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009|The Local Government Act of 2009]] established local governments in each of the 20 {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}} overseen by the [[Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs]].<ref name=LGA09>{{cite web|url=http://www.nab.gov.bt/downloadsact/Dzo74.pdf |title=Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 |publisher=[[Government of Bhutan]] |date=2009-09-11 |access-date=2011-01-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162642/http://www.nab.gov.bt/downloadsact/Dzo74.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29210/bhu-decentralization-good-governance.pdf |title=Bhutan: Decentralization and Good Governance |date=2010 |publisher=Asian Development Bank |quote=The Local Government Act of 2009 formally devolved administrative responsibilities to elected bodies at the dzongkhag and gewog levels, under the supervision of the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. |access-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> Each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} has its own elected government with non-legislative executive powers, called a {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag tshogdu}} (district council). The {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag tshogdu}} is assisted by the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} administration headed by a {{transliteration|dz|dzongdag}} (royal appointees who are the chief executive officer of each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}).<ref name="CoB">{{cite web|url=http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/templates/images/constitution-of-bhutan-2008.pdf|title=The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan|publisher=Government of Bhutan|pages=39–46|date=2008|access-date=2019-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429104422/http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/templates/images/constitution-of-bhutan-2008.pdf|archive-date=2019-04-29|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29210/bhu-decentralization-good-governance.pdf |title=Bhutan: Decentralization and Good Governance |date=2010 |publisher=Asian Development Bank |quote=At the dzongkhag level, executive authority is vested in the Dzongdag, appointed by the King, who functions as the chief executive officer of the district and chairs the Dzongkhag Administration. |access-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> Each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} also has a [[Dzongkhag Court|{{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} court]] presided over by a {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag drangpon}} (judge), who is appointed by the Chief Justice of Bhutan on the advice of Royal Judicial Service Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/index.php/Welcome/get_pages?id=24%20&cat=5|title=Justices of Bhutan|publisher=Royal Court of Justice, Bhutan|access-date=2019-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924030217/http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/index.php/Welcome/get_pages?id=24%20&cat=5|archive-date=2018-09-24|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29210/bhu-decentralization-good-governance.pdf |title=Bhutan: Decentralization and Good Governance |date=2010 |publisher=Asian Development Bank |quote=Judicial authority at the dzongkhag level is exercised by Dzongkhag Courts, each headed by a Drangpon (district judge) appointed by the Chief Justice of Bhutan in consultation with the Royal Judicial Service Council. |access-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> The {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}}, and their residents, are represented in the [[Parliament of Bhutan]], a [[bicameral]] legislature consisting of the [[National Council of Bhutan|National Council]] and the [[National Assembly of Bhutan|National Assembly]]. Each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} has one National Council representative. National Assembly representatives are distributed among the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}} in proportion to their registered voter population as recommended by the [[Elections in Bhutan#Delimitation Commission|Delimitation Commission]], provided that "no {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} shall have less than two and more than seven National Assembly constituencies."<ref name="EAoB">{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf|title=Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2008|access-date=2019-05-25|date=2008|publisher=Government of Bhutan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921012830/http://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf|archive-date=2018-09-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/electoral-system-design-the-case-of-bhutan.pdf |title=Electoral System Design: The Case of Bhutan |date=2010 |publisher=International IDEA |quote=The delimitation of National Assembly constituencies is undertaken by the Delimitation Commission, which must ensure proportionality with the voter population of each dzongkhag, subject to the constitutional requirement that no dzongkhag has fewer than two or more than seven constituencies. |access-date=2025-10-01}}</ref>

As of the 2017 census, [[Thimphu District|Thimphu]] is the most populous {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}, with 138,736 residents; [[Gasa District|Gasa]] is the least populous, with 3,952 residents.  Thimphu is the most densely populated, with {{convert|67.1|/km2||adj=pre|people}}, whereas Gasa is the least densely populated, with {{convert|1.3|/km2||adj=pre|people}}. The largest {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} by land area is [[Wangdue Phodrang]], encompassing {{cvt|4,308|km2}}, while the smallest is [[Tsirang District|Tsirang]], encompassing {{cvt|639|km2}}.<ref name="phcb"/>

==History==
Medieval Bhutan [[provinces of Bhutan|was organized into provinces]] or regions headquartered in {{transliteration|dz|[[dzong]]s}} (castles/fortresses) which served as administrative centres for areas around them. The {{transliteration|dz|dzongs}} of Paro, Dagana and Trongsa were headed by {{transliteration|dz|[[penlop]]s}} (provincial lords/governors) while other {{transliteration|dz|dzongs}} were headed by {{transliteration|dz|dzongpons}} (fortress lords).<ref>{{cite book|title=Polity, Kingship and Democracy: A Biography of the Bhutanese state|last=Kinga|first=Sonam|location=Thimphu|publisher=Ministry of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan|date=2009|page=90|oclc=477284586}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first1=John|last1=Ardussi|first2=Karma|last2=Ura|date=Winter 2000|title=Population and Governance in the mid-18th Century Bhutan, as Revealed in the Enthronement Record of Thugs-sprul 'Jigs med grags pa I (1725-1761)|url=http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_02_02_02.pdf|journal=Journal of Bhutan Studies|volume=2|issue=2|pages=39–84|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701125023/http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_02_02_02.pdf|archive-date=2019-07-01|access-date=2019-07-01|url-status=live}}</ref> {{transliteration|dz|Penlops}} and {{transliteration|dz|dzongpons}} gained power as the increasingly dysfunctional [[dual system of government]] eventually collapsed amid civil war. The victorious [[Penlop of Trongsa]] [[Ugyen Wangchuck]] gained {{transliteration|dz|de jure}} sovereignty over the entire realm in 1907, marking the establishment of the modern [[Bhutan|Kingdom of Bhutan]] and the ascendancy of the [[Wangchuck dynasty|House of Wangchuck]].<ref name=history>{{cite book|title=The History of Bhutan|first=Karma|last=Phuntsho|author-link=Karma Phuntsho|year=2013|isbn=978-8184003116|publisher=[[Random House|Random House India]]}}</ref>{{rp|703–770}}

At the direction of the fourth {{transliteration|dz|[[Druk Gyalpo]]}} (Bhutan head of state), [[Jigme Singye Wangchuk]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Education in Bhutan: Culture, Schooling and Gross National Happiness|series=Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects |url=http://www.education.gov.bt/wp-content/downloads/publications/publication/Education-in-Bhutan-Culture-Schooling-and-Gross-National-Happiness.pdf|access-date=2019-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609140949/http://www.education.gov.bt/wp-content/downloads/publications/publication/Education-in-Bhutan-Culture-Schooling-and-Gross-National-Happiness.pdf|archive-date=2019-06-09|publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]|isbn=978-981-10-1647-9|issn=1573-5397|lccn=2016948217
|doi=10.1007/978-981-10-1649-3|editor-first1=Matthew J.|editor-last1=Schuelka|editor-first2=Tom W.|editor-last2=Maxwell|year=2016|volume=36 |page=61}}</ref> the process of decentralisation of local administration started in 1981<ref name=history/>{{rp|831}} with the formation of a {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag yargye tshogchung}} (DYT, district development committee) in each of the newly created {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhags}}.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVwlDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT120|title=Multi-level Forest Governance in Asia: Concepts, Challenges and the Way Forward|page=120|publisher=[[SAGE Publishing|SAGE Publications India]]|year=2015|editor1-first=Makoto|editor1-last=Inoue|editor2-first=Ganesh P.|editor2-last=Shivakoti|isbn=9789351502593}}</ref>

Four {{transliteration|dz|dzongdeys}} (zones) were established in 1988 and 1989: Zone I, including four western districts, seated at [[Chhukha]]; Zone II, including four west-central districts, seated at [[Damphu, Tsirang|Damphu]]; Zone III, including four east-central districts, seated at [[Gelephu|Geylegphug]]; and Zone IV, including five eastern districts, seated at Yonphula; to "provide a more efficient distribution of personnel and administrative and technical skills." {{transliteration|dz|Dzongdeys}} acted as the intermediary administrative divisions between the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} administration and the central government. Although Thimphu {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} and Thimphu {{transliteration|dz|thromde}} (municipality) were within the boundaries of Zone I, they stayed outside the zonal system. By 1991, however, only [[Eastern Dzongdey|Eastern {{transliteration|dz|dzongdey}}]] (Zone IV) was fully functional.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://cdn.loc.gov/master/frd/frdcstdy/ne/nepalbhutancount00sava/nepalbhutancount00sava.pdf|access-date=2019-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607141943/https://cdn.loc.gov/master/frd/frdcstdy/ne/nepalbhutancount00sava/nepalbhutancount00sava.pdf|archive-date=2019-06-07|url-status=live|title=Nepal and Bhutan: country studies|author3=[[Library of Congress]]. [[Federal Research Division]]|last1=Savada|first1=Andrea Matles|last2=Harris|first2=George Lawrence|lccn=93012226|publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|location=Washington, D.C.|date=1993|page=322}}</ref> Zone I, Zone II and Zone III were "indefinitely" disabled in early 1991. Zone IV also ceased to function in mid-1992.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Far East and Australasia 1998|year=1998 |publisher=Europa Publications|page=159|isbn=9781857430387 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qyRXAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> {{transliteration|dz|Dzongdeys}} slowly lost relevance and went defunct as they were not included in the Constitution of Bhutan<ref name=CoB/><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29210/bhu-decentralization-good-governance.pdf |title=Bhutan: Decentralization and Good Governance |date=2010 |publisher=Asian Development Bank |quote=The zonal system (dzongdeys), established in 1987, ceased to function by the early 1990s. The Constitution of 2008 and the Local Government Act of 2009 do not recognize dzongdeys, thereby eliminating them as administrative units. |access-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> and the Local Government Act of 2009, which repealed the previous local governments and administrative divisions.<ref name=LGA09/><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.undp.org/bhutan/publications/local-governance-bhutan |title=Local Governance in Bhutan: Decentralization at a Crossroads |date=2013 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |quote=Dzongdeys, or zones, established as an intermediate administrative structure, were later abolished and are not provided for under the Constitution or the Local Government Act of 2009. |access-date=2025-10-01}}</ref>

Under the {{transliteration|dz|Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu Chathrim}} (District Development Council Act) of 2002, a {{transliteration|dz|dzongdag}} (administrator), assisted by a {{transliteration|dz|dzongrab}} (deputy district collector), carry out administrative activities, while the DYT coordinates all developmental activities within the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}. Each DYT includes representatives of the municipalities and the towns within the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}, who elect a chairperson from among themselves. The DYTs also had non-voting members, which included the {{transliteration|dz|dzongdag}}, the {{transliteration|dz|dungpa}} ({{transliteration|dz|[[dungkhag]]}} (sub-district) head) (where a {{transliteration|dz|dungkhag}} exists) and the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} officials from various sectors such as the chief engineer, and the planning, finance, education, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and health officers.<ref name="DYT02">{{cite web|url=http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/uploads/docs/acts/2014/DYT_2002Eng.pdf|title=Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu Chathrim 2002|date=2002-07-23|publisher=Government of Bhutan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306145441/http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/uploads/docs/acts/2014/DYT_2002Eng.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-06|access-date=2016-03-03|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Psc|date=July 2022}}

The [[Constitution of Bhutan|Constitution of 2008]] laid basic provisions for an elected {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag tshogdu}} and {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} courts in each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}.<ref name="CoB"/>{{Psc|date=July 2022}} The Local Government Act of 2009 further codified the election process of {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag tshogdu}}, the appointment process of {{transliteration|dz|dzongkdag}}, and the role of {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} courts within the [[judicial system of Bhutan]]. It also repealed all previous acts and laws regarding local governments, including the {{transliteration|dz|Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu Chathrim}} of 2002.<ref name="LGA09" />{{Psc|date=July 2022}}

==Political structure==
Under the [[Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009|Local Government Act of 2009]], the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag tshogdu}} is the non-legislative executive body of the {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}, composed of the {{transliteration|dz|gup}} ({{transliteration|dz|gewog}} head) and the {{transliteration|dz|mangmi}} (elected representatives of the {{transliteration|dz|gewogs}}) from each {{transliteration|dz|[[gewog]]}} (block of villages), and representatives from the {{transliteration|dz|[[thromde]]s}} of that {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}}. They are empowered to enforce rules on health and public safety, regulate environmental pollution, advertise in regard to environmental aesthetics, regulate broadcast media in accordance with the Information, Communications, and Media Act, regulate gambling, and raise their own funds. They also oversee the {{transliteration|dz|dzongdag}}. A {{transliteration|dz|dzongdag}}, in turn, is responsible for maintaining [[law enforcement in Bhutan|law and order]], and for enforcing the {{transliteration|dz|[[driglam namzha]]}} (rules for disciplined behavior).<ref name=LGA09/>{{Psc|date=July 2022}}

=={{transliteration|dz|Dzongkhags}}==
[[Image:Zones of Bhutan.svg|thumb|center|upright=2.25|alt=A map of Bhutan showing the four dzongdeys.|{{transliteration|dz|Dzongdeys}} of Bhutan {{columns-list|colwidth=8em|{{legend|#ACFCD5|Zone I}}{{legend|#E6E6A0|Zone II}}{{legend|#CB8BCA|Zone III}}{{legend|#9FCFFD|Zone IV}}}}]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Population<br />(2017){{efn-ua|All data is taken from the 2017 Population and Housing Census of Bhutan.}}<ref name=phcb>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/download.php?id=1352|title=Population and Housing Census of 2017 (National Report)|format=pdf|publisher=National Statistics Bureau|page=102|date=2018-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228180607/http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/files/PHCB2017_national.pdf|archive-date=2019-02-28|access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref>
! scope="col" | Population<br />(2005)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/files/pub6ri44cs.pdf|title=Results of the 2005 Population and Housing Census of Bhutan|publisher=National Statistics Bureau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605013744/http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/files/pub6ri44cs.pdf|archive-date=2019-06-05|access-date=2019-07-09|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=phcb/>
! scope="col" | Change
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Land area<br />(km{{sup|2}})<ref name=phcb/>
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Population<br />density<ref name=phcb/>
! scope="col" | Number of<br />[[National Assembly (Bhutan)|National Assembly]]<br />representatives{{efn-ua|Each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} is entitled to at least two, but no more than seven National Assembly constituencies. Currently, the number of National Assembly constituencies is 47. Each {{transliteration|dz|dzongkhag}} is also entitled to one National Council constituency.<ref name="EAoB"/>}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nab.gov.bt/en/member/constituency_list|title=Constituency List|publisher=National Assembly of Bhutan|access-date=2019-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402095320/http://www.nab.gov.bt/en/member/constituency_list|archive-date=2019-04-02|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope="col" | Number of<br />[[Gewogs of Bhutan|Gewogs]]
! scope="col" | ''Dzongdey''
|-
! scope="row" | [[Bumthang District|Bumthang]]
| {{change|17820|16116|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|2717}}
| {{Pop density|17820|2717|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 4
| {{sort|BH3|South}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Chukha District|Chhukha]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Chukha"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/chukha-export-tariff-revised-by-30-cheltrum-a-unit/|title=Chukha export tariff revised by 30 Cheltrum a unit|first=Tshering|last=Dorji|date=2018-02-05|publisher=[[Kuensel]]|access-date=2019-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916171400/http://www.kuenselonline.com/chukha-export-tariff-revised-by-30-cheltrum-a-unit/|archive-date=2018-09-16|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| {{change|68966|74387|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
|  {{nts|1880}}
| {{Pop density|68966|1880|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 11
| {{sort|BH1|West}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Dagana District|Dagana]]
| {{change|24965|18222|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1723}}
| {{Pop density|24965|1723|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 14
| {{sort|BH2|Central}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Gasa District|Gasa]]
| {{change|3952|3116|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|3118}}
| {{Pop density|3952|3118|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 4
| {{sort|BH2|Central}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Haa District|Haa]]
| {{change|13655|11648|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1905}}
| {{Pop density|13655|1905|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 6
| {{sort|BH1|West}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Lhuntse District|Lhuentse]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Lhuntse"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/number-of-home-stays-increasing/|title=Number of home stays increasing|first=Dechen|last=Tshomo|publisher=Kuensel|date=2018-10-08|access-date=2019-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516104743/http://www.kuenselonline.com/number-of-home-stays-increasing/|archive-date=2019-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| {{change|14437|15395|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1944}}
| {{Pop density|14437|1944|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 8
| {{sort|BH4|East}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Mongar District|Mongar]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Monggar".<ref name="phcb"/>}}
| {{change|37150|37069|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|2859}}
| {{Pop density|37150|2859|km2|prec=1}}
| 3
| 17
| {{sort|BH4|East}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Paro District|Paro]]
| {{change|46316|36433|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1293}}
| {{Pop density|46316|1293|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 10
| {{sort|BH1|West}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Pemagatshel District|Pemagatshel]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Pema Gatshel"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/election-results-from-pemagatshel/|title=Election results from Pemagatshel|last=Wangchuk|first=Kelzang|date=2018-10-22|publisher=Kuensel|access-date=2019-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407232343/http://www.kuenselonline.com/election-results-from-pemagatshel/|archive-date=2019-04-07|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| {{change|23632|13864|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1030}}
| {{Pop density|23632|1030|km2|prec=1}}
| 3
| 11
| {{sort|BH4|East}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Punakha District|Punakha]]
| {{change|28740|17715|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1110}}
| {{Pop density|28740|1110|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 11
| {{sort|BH2|Central}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Samdrup Jongkhar District|Samdrup Jongkhar]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Samdrupjongkhar"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/samdrupjongkhar-police-arrests-three-for-alleged-murder/|title=Samdrupjongkhar police arrests three for alleged murder|date=2019-06-13|access-date=2019-06-18|publisher=Kuensel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614145457/http://www.kuenselonline.com/samdrupjongkhar-police-arrests-three-for-alleged-murder/|archive-date=2019-06-14|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| {{change|35079|39961|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1878}}
| {{Pop density|35079|1878|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 11
| {{sort|BH4|East}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Samtse District|Samtse]]
| {{change|62590|60100|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1305}}
| {{Pop density|62590|1305|km2|prec=1}}
| 4
| 15
| {{sort|BH1|West}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Sarpang District|Sarpang]]
| {{change|46004|41549|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1946}}
| {{Pop density|46004|1946|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 12
| {{sort|BH3|South}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Thimphu District|Thimphu]]
| {{change|138736|98676|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|2067}}
| {{Pop density|138736|2067|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 8
| {{sort|BH1|West}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Trashigang District|Trashigang]]
| {{change|45518|51134|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|3066}}
| {{Pop density|45518|3066|km2|prec=1}}
| 5
| 15
| {{sort|BH4|East}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Trashiyangtse District|Trashiyangtse]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Trashi Yangtse"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/a-tough-year-for-trashigang-and-trashiyangtse/|title=A tough year for Trashigang and Trashiyangtse|publisher=Kuensel|first=Younten|last=Tshedup|date=2019-02-05|access-date=2019-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207180823/http://www.kuenselonline.com/a-tough-year-for-trashigang-and-trashiyangtse/|archive-date=2019-02-07|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| {{change|17300|17740|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1438}}
| {{Pop density|17300|1438|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 8
| {{sort|BH4|East}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Trongsa District|Trongsa]]
| {{change|19960|13419|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|1807}}
| {{Pop density|19960|1807|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 5
| {{sort|BH3|South}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Tsirang District|Tsirang]]
| {{change|22376|18667|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|639}}
| {{Pop density|22376|639|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 12
| {{sort|BH2|Central}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Wangdue Phodrang District|Wangdue Phodrang]]{{efn-ua|Also spelled as "Wangduephodrang"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/windstorm-damages-structures-in-three-dzongkhags/|title=Windstorm damages structures in three dzongkhags|first=Tashi|last=Dema|date=2019-02-27|publisher=Kuensel|access-date=2019-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228124153/http://www.kuenselonline.com/windstorm-damages-structures-in-three-dzongkhags/|archive-date=2019-02-28|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| {{change|42186|31135|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|4308}}
| {{Pop density|42186|4308|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 15
| {{sort|BH2|Central}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Zhemgang District|Zhemgang]]
| {{change|17763|18636|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}}
| {{nts|2421}}
| {{Pop density|17763|2421|km2|prec=1}}
| 2
| 8
| {{sort|BH3|South}}
|- class="sortbottom" style="text-align:center;" style="background: #f2f2f2;"
| scope="row" | '''Bhutan'''
| {{change|727145|634982|dec=1|align="right"|bold=on|invert=on||bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}
| |'''{{nts|38394}}'''
| align="center" | '''{{Pop density|727145|38394|km2|prec=1}}'''
| '''47'''
| '''205'''
| 
|}
<div style="text-align: center;">
[[File:Dzongkhag Administration Office, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Dzongkhag Administration Office, Samdrup Jongkhar]]
</div>

==See also==
*[[ISO 3166-2:BT]]

==Notes==
===Footnotes===
{{notelist-ua|30em}}

===References===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/dzongkhags.php Dzongkhag of Bhutan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126001002/http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/dzongkhags.php |date=2016-11-26 }}

{{Bhutan topics}}
{{Districts of Bhutan}}
{{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of Asian countries}}

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[[Category:Districts of Bhutan| ]]
[[Category:Lists of administrative divisions|Bhutan, districts]]
[[Category:Administrative divisions in Asia|Bhutan 1]]
[[Category:First-level administrative divisions by country|Districts, Bhutan]]
[[Category:Bhutan geography-related lists]]