Communications ———————
Telephones: 14,426,673 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: good working system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean Region East)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1,223, FM 0, shortwave 151
Radios: 60 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 112 note: Brazil has the world's fourth largest television broadcasting system
Televisions: 30 million (1993 est.)
======================================================================
@British Indian Ocean Territory ———————————————
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 6 00 S, 71 30 E — Southern Asia, archipelago in theIndian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Flag ——
Description: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, aboutone-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E
Map references: World
Area:total area: 60 sq kmland area: 60 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.5 times the size of Washington, DCnote: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: the island of Diego Garcia is claimed byMauritius
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (up to four meters in elevation) lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural resources: coconuts, fish
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
People ———
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are UK-US military personnel and civilian contractors; civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territoryconventional short form: noneabbreviation: BIOT
Data code: IO
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: none
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6February 1952) is a hereditary monarchhead of government: Commissioner David Ross MACLENNAN (since NA1994); Administrator Don CAIRNS (since NA); note - both reside inthe UK
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.
Electricity: provided by the US military
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: NA kmpaved: short stretch of paved road of NA km between port andairfield on Diego Garciaunpaved: NA km
Ports: Diego Garcia
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: facilities for military needs onlydomestic: NAinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@British Virgin Islands ———————————
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 18 30 N, 64 30 W — Caribbean, between the Caribbean Seaand the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Flag ——
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 150 sq kmland area: 150 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DCnote: includes the island of Anegada
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep,hillylowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 20%permanent crops: 7%meadows and pastures: 33%forest and woodland: 7%other: 33%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for afew seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the island'swater supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment)natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands andPuerto Rico
People ———
Population: 13,195 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.29% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 20.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 19.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.78 years male: 70.93 years female: 74.75 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black 90%, white, Asian
Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)total population: 97.8%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI
Data code: VI
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6February 1952), hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor DavidMACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) who was appointed by the queenhead of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. LavitySTOUTT) was appointed by the governor from among the members of theLegislative Councilcabinet: Executive Council is appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO;Virgin Islands Party (VIP); Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E.Walwyln BREWLEY
International organization participation: Caricom (associate),CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate),UNESCO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. In 1985, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditional close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands have used the dollar as their currency since 1959.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1991 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,600 (1991 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.)
Labor force: 4,911 (1980) by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992)
Budget:revenues: $77.1 millionexpenditures: $76.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY93/94)
Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concreteblock, offshore financial center
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1985)
Electricity: capacity: 10,500 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animalspartners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinerypartners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
External debt: $4.5 million (1985)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 106 km (1983 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Road Town
Merchant marine: none (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 6,291 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: worldwide telephone servicedomestic: NAinternational: submarine cable to Bermuda
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Brunei ———
Map —-
Location: 4 30 N, 114 40 E — Southeastern Asia, bordering theSouth China Sea and Malaysia
Flag ——
Description: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea andMalaysia
Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 5,770 sq kmland area: 5,270 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 381 km border country: Malaysia 381 km
Coastline: 161 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median lineterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides the country; all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hillylowland in westlowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 1%forest and woodland: 79%other: 18%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are veryrareinternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Lawof the Sea
Geographic note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sealinking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated byMalaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia
People ———
Population: 299,939 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 33% (male 51,266; female 49,194)15-64 years: 62% (male 98,806; female 88,323)65 years and over: 5% (male 6,843; female 5,507) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 25.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.24 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.39 years male: 69.82 years female: 73.04 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.39 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian
Ethnic divisions: Malay 64%, Chinese 20%, other 16%
Religions: Muslim (official) 63%, Buddhism 14%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs and other 15% (1981)
Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 88.2%male: 92.6%female: 83.4%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalamconventional short form: Brunei
Data code: BX
Type of government: constitutional sultanate
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984)
Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)
Legal system: based on Islamic law
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister HisMajesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddinWaddaulah (since 5 October 1967) is a traditional Islamic monarchcabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers is composed chiefly of membersof the royal family, appointed and presided over by the sultan;deals with executive mattersReligious Council: is appointed by the sultan; advises on religiousmattersPrivy Council: is appointed by the sultan; deals with constitutionalmattersthe Council of Succession: is appointed by the sultan; determinesthe succession to the throne if the need arises
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (Majlis Masyuarat Megeri): elections last held in March 1962; in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the sultan; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several years
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice and judges are swornin by the sultan for a three-year term
Political parties and leaders: Brunei United National Party(inactive), Anak HASANUDDIN, chairman; Brunei National SolidarityParty (the first legal political party and now banned), leader NA;Brunei Peoples Party (banned), leader NA
International organization participation: APEC, ASEAN, C, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador JAYA bin Abdul Latifchancery: Watergate, Suite 300, 3rd floor, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20037telephone: [1] (202) 342-0159FAX: [1] (202) 342-0158
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Theresa A. TULLembassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar SeriBegawanmailing address: American Embassy Box B, Bandar Seri Begawan, APO AP96440telephone: [673] (2) 229670FAX: [673] (2) 225293
Flag: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, and village tradition. It is almost totally supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the petroleum sector accounting for more than 40% of GDP. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the Third World, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $15,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 42% services: 55%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 119,000 (1993 est.); note - includes members of theArmyby occupation: government 47.5%, production of oil, natural gas,services, and construction 41.9%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing3.8% (1986)note: 33% of labor force is foreign (1988)
Unemployment rate: 4.8% (1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.1 billionexpenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $427million (1993)
Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas,construction
Industrial production growth rate: 12.9% (1987)
Electricity: capacity: 380,000 kW production: 1.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,971 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, cassava (tapioca), bananas; water buffalo, pigs
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products partners: Japan 50%, UK 19%, Thailand 10%, Singapore 9% (1994 est.)
Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,food, chemicalspartners: Singapore 29%, UK 19%, US 13%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 5% (1994est.)
External debt: 0
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.4214 (January 1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 13 km private line narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge
Highways: total: 2,443 km paved: 1,296 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1993)
Waterways: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m
Pipelines: crude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 920 km
Ports: Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong
Merchant marine:total: 7 liquefied gas tankers (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,476GRT/340,635 DWT (1994 est.)
Airports:total: 2with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 76,900 (1993)
Telephone system: service throughout country is adequate forpresent needs; international service good to adjacent Malaysiadomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Oceanand 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 115,000 (1993)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1984 est.)
Televisions: 78,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 83,641 males fit for military service: 48,559 males reach military age (18) annually: 2,918 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $312 million, 6.2% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Bulgaria ————
Map —-
Location: 43 00 N, 25 00 E — Southeastern Europe, bordering theBlack Sea, between Romania and Turkey
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, betweenRomania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 110,910 sq kmland area: 110,550 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:total: 1,808 kmborder countries: Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km (allwith Serbia), Turkey 240 km
Coastline: 354 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber,arable land
Land use:arable land: 34%permanent crops: 3%meadows and pastures: 18%forest and woodland: 35%other: 10%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; riverspolluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation;forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soilcontamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants andindustrial wastesnatural hazards: earthquakes, landslidesinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AntarcticTreaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controlskey land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
People ———
Population: 8,612,757 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17% (male 769,025; female 732,119)15-64 years: 68% (male 2,891,197; female 2,923,440)65 years and over: 15% (male 561,944; female 735,032) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 8.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71 years male: 67.07 years female: 75.12 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian
Ethnic divisions: Bulgarian 85.3%, Turk 8.5%, Gypsy 2.6%,Macedonian 2.5%, Armenian 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, other 0.6%
Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 85%, Muslim 13%, Jewish 0.8%, RomanCatholic 0.5%, Uniate Catholic 0.2%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian,and other 0.5%
Languages: Bulgarian, secondary languages closely correspond toethnic breakdown
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)total population: 98%male: 99%female: 97%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria
Data code: BU
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Sofia
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Burgas, Grad Sofiya, Khaskovo, Lovech, Montana, Plovdiv, Ruse, Sofiya, Varna
Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system with Soviet law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Zhelyu Mitev ZHELEV (since 1 August 1990,when he was elected by the National Assembly); president and vicepresident elected for five-year terms by popular vote; election lastheld NA January 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - ZhelyuZHELEV elected by popular vote; Vice President (vacant)head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (PrimeMinister) Zhan VIDENOV (since 25 January 1995) appointed by thepresident; Deputy Prime Ministers Doncho KONAKCHIEV (since 25January 1995), Atanas PAPAKIZOV (since NA), Rumen GECHEV (since 25January 1995), Svetoslav SHIVAROV (since 25 January 1995)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Narodno Sobranie): last held 18 December 1994 (next to be held NA 1997); results - BSP 43.5%, UDF 24.2%, PU 6.5%, MRF 5.4%, BBB 4.7%; seats - (240 total) BSP 125, UDF 69, PU 18, MRF 15, BBB 13
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman appointed for a seven-year term by the president; Constitutional Court, 12 justices appointed or elected for a nine-year term
Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP),Zhan VIDENOV, chairman; Union of Democratic Forces (UDF - analliance of pro-Democratic parties), Ivan KOSTOV; People's Union(PU), Stefan SAVOV; Movement for Rights and Freedoms (mainly ethnicTurkish party) (MRF), Ahmed DOGAN; Bulgarian Business Bloc (BBB),George GANCHEV
Other political or pressure groups: Democratic Alliance for theRepublic (DAR); New Union for Democracy (NUD); Ecoglasnost; PodkrepaLabor Confederation; Fatherland Union; Bulgarian Communist Party(BCP); Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB);Bulgarian Agrarian National Union - United (BZNS); BulgarianDemocratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian NationalUnion; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Union ofMacedonian Societies (IMRO-UMS); numerous regional, ethnic, andnational interest groups with various agendas
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOT, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant), ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Snezhana Damianova BOTUSHAROVA chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-7969 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)embassy: 1 Saborna Street, Sofiamailing address: Unit 1335, APO AE 09213-1335telephone: [359] (2) 88-48-01 through 05FAX: [359] (2) 80-19-77
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red;the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripehas been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath ofwheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearingthe dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944(liberation from Nazi control)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: One of the poorest countries of central Europe, Bulgaria has continued the difficult process of moving from its old command economy to a modern, market-oriented economy. GDP rose a moderate 2.4% in 1995; inflation was down sharply; and unemployment fell from an estimated 16% to 12%. Despite this progress, structural reforms necessary to underpin macroeconomic stabilization were not pursued vigorously. Mass privatization of state-owned industry continued to move slowly, although privatization of small-scale industry, particularly in the retail and service sectors, accelerated. The Bulgarian economy will continue to grow in 1996, but economic reforms will remain politically difficult as the population has become weary of the process.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $43.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,920 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 36% services: 52% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995)
Labor force: 3.1 million by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 18%, other 41% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 11.9% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $3.8 billionexpenditures: $4.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994)
Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals
Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 11,500,000 kW production: 38.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,342 kWh (1994)
Agriculture: grain, oilseed, vegetables, fruits, tobacco; livestock
Illicit drugs: important transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine transiting the Balkan route; limited producer of precursor chemicals
Exports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: machinery and equipment 12.8%; agriculture and food21.9%; textiles and apparel 14%; metals and ores 19.7%; chemicals16.9%; minerals and fuels 9.3%partners: former CEMA countries 35.7%; OECD 46.6% (EU 33.5%); Arabcountries 5.1%; other 12.6%
Imports: $4 billion (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials 30.1%; machinery andequipment 23.6%; textiles and apparel 11.6%; agricultural products10.8%; metals and ores 6.8%; chemicals 12.3%; other 4.8%partners: former CEMA countries 40.3%; OECD 48.3% (EU 34.1%); Arabcountries 1.7%; other 9.7%
External debt: $10.4 billion (1995)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $39 million (1993)note: $700 million in balance of payments support from Westernnations (1994)
Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki
Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1 - 70.5 (December 1995), 54.2 (1994), 27.1 (1993), 23.3 (1992), 18.4 (1991); note - floating exchange rate since February 1991
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 4,292 kmstandard gauge: 4,047 km 1.435-m gauge (2,650 km electrified; 917double track)other: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 36,932 kmpaved: 33,904 km (including 276 km of expressways)unpaved: 3,028 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 470 km (1987)
Pipelines: crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 525 km; natural gas 1,400 km (1992)
Ports: Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin
Merchant marine:total: 103 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,084,090GRT/1,596,735 DWTships by type: bulk 45, cargo 27, chemical tanker 4, container 2,oil tanker 13, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2,roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1note: Bulgaria owns an additional 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling 135,016 DWT operating under the registries of Liberia andMalta (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 355with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 17with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10with paved runways under 914 m: 88with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10with unpaved runways under 914 m: 226 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2,773,293 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: almost two-thirds of the lines are residential;67% of Sofia households have telephones (November 1988 est.)domestic: extensive but antiquated transmission system of coaxialcable and microwave radio relay; telephone service is available inmost villagesinternational: direct dialing to 36 countries; satellite earthstations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region); Intelsatavailable through a Greek earth station
Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 15, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 29 (Russian repeater in Sofia 1)
Televisions: 2.1 million (May 1990 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Troops,Internal Troops
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,155,332 males fit for military service: 1,797,318 males reach military age (19) annually: 64,568 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $352 million, 2.5% of GDP (1995)
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@Burkina Faso ——————
Map —-
Location: 13 00 N, 2 00 W — Western Africa, north of Ghana
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 274,200 sq kmland area: 273,800 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Colorado
Land boundaries:total: 3,192 kmborder countries: Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km,Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: following mutual acceptance of an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in December 1986 on their international boundary dispute, Burkina Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills inwest and southeastlowest point: Black Volta River 200 mhighest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits ofgold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc,silver
Land use:arable land: 10%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 37%forest and woodland: 26%other: 27%
Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: recent droughts and desertification severelyaffecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and theeconomy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestationnatural hazards: recurring droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 10,623,323 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 2,569,806; female 2,537,106)15-64 years: 49% (male 2,444,601; female 2,738,726)65 years and over: 3% (male 145,479; female 187,605) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.53% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 47.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.99 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 117.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 43.21 years male: 43.46 years female: 42.95 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)adjective: Burkinabe
Ethnic divisions: Mossi about 24%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo,Mande, Fulani
Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainlyRoman Catholic) 10%
Languages: French (official), tribal languages belonging toSudanic family, spoken by 90% of the population
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 19.2%male: 29.5%female: 9.2%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta
Data code: UV
Type of government: parliamentary
Capital: Ouagadougou
Administrative divisions: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba,Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo,Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri,Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno,Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo
Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)
Constitution: 2 June 1991
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:chief of state: President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October1987) elected for a seven-year term by popular vote; election lastheld NA December 1991 (next to be held NA 1998)head of government: Prime Minister Roch KABORE (since NA March 1994)appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of People's Deputies: elections last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (107 total), ODP-MT 78, CNPP-PSD 12, RDA 6, ADF 4, other 7 note: the current law also provides for a second consultative chamber, which has not been formally constituted
Judicial branch: Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders: Organization for People's Democracy- Labor Movement (ODP-MT), ruling party, Secretary General SimonCOMPAORE; National Convention of Progressive Patriots-SocialDemocratic Party (CNPP-PSD), Moussa BOLY; African Democratic Rally(RDA), Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO; Alliance for Democracy and Federation(ADF), Amadou Michel NANA
Other political or pressure groups: committees for the defense ofthe revolution; watchdog/political action groups throughout thecountry in both organizations and communities
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU,NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gaetan R. OUEDRAOGO chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577, 6895
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. MCCONNELL embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou telephone: [226] 306723 through 306725 FAX: [226] 303890
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ———-
Economic overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso has a high population density and a high population growth rate, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. Economic development is hindered by a poor communications network within a landlocked country. Agriculture is mainly subsistence farming. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the Communaute Financiere Africaine currency devaluation on 12 January 1994, exports appear to have risen, but no official figures have been released yet. The upswing apparently continued in 1995, with growth perhaps at 4%. The government has updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, yet even with the best of plans, the government faces formidable problems on all sides.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 24% services: 44% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NA (most adults are employed in subsistenceagriculture)by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry 15%, commerce, services,and government 5%note: 20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboringcountries for seasonal employment (1984)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $483 millionexpenditures: $548 million, including capital expenditures of $189million (1992)
Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap,cigarettes, textiles, gold
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 190 million kWh consumption per capita: 17 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock
Exports: $273 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: cotton, gold, animal productspartners: EC, Cote d'Ivoire, Taiwan, Thailand
Imports: $636 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: machinery, food products, petroleumpartners: EC, Africa, Japan
External debt: $1 billion (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991)note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 622 km (1995 est.)narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge (517 km Ouagadougou to Coted'Ivoire border and 105 km opened in 1993 from Ouagadougou to Kaya)
Highways:total: 16,400 kmpaved: 1,280 kmunpaved: 15,120 km (1987 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:total: 23with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 8with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 21,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: all services only fair domestic: microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 49,000 (1991 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police,People's Militia
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,149,485 males fit for military service: 1,101,184 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 6.4% of GDP (1994)
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@Burma ——-
Map —-
Location: 22 00 N, 98 00 E — Southeastern Asia, bordering theAndaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Flag ——