Alphabetically, Bhutan Is First — No Countries Come Before It

Strictly Speaking

In an alphabetical list of sovereign states (English short names), Bhutan is preceded by zero countries. It starts with **B**, and the only other **B** countries come after:

• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Belize
• Benin
• Bhutan ← **First B**
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi

Why Bhutan Is First Among B's

Alphabetical ordering compares character by character: B-h-u-t-a-n vs B-a-h-r-a-i-n → **'h' (104) > 'a' (97)** → Bahrain comes *before* Bhutan? Wait — Bahrain comes before Bhutan!

Correction: Bahrain Precedes Bhutan

My initial statement was incorrect. The correct alphabetical order for **B** countries:

1. Bahamas
2. Bahrain
3. Bangladesh
4. Barbados
5. Belarus
6. Belgium
7. Belize
8. Benin
9. Bhutan (9th of B's)
10. Bolivia...

Countries Before Bhutan (Full List)

All **A** countries + **Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin**.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin — then Bhutan.