Independence:
3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution:
adopted on 12 July 1991
Legal system:
civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV (since 27 July 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly
election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Boyko BORISSOV elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 162 to 77 with 1 abstention
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 5 July 2009 (next to be held in mid-2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%, MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%; seats by party - GERB 117, BSP 40, MRF 37, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition 15, RZS 8, independents 2
Judicial branch:
independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 members, half of whom are elected by the National Assembly and the other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases (the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions (the Supreme Administrative Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Agrarian National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; ATAKA (Attack party)[Volen SIDEROV]; Blue Coalition [Ivan KOSTOV and Martin DIMITROV] (acoalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB);Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian SocialistParty or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the EuropeanDevelopment of Bulgaria or GERB [Boyko BORISSOV]; Coalition forBulgaria or CfB [Sergei STANISHEV] (coalition of parties dominatedby BSP); Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV];Gergyovden [Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian RevolutionaryOrganization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative forDemocratic European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI];Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; NationalMovement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Hristina HRISTOVA](formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [EmilKOSHLUKOV]; Order, Law, Justice or RZS [Yane YANEV]; Union ofDemocratic Forces or UDF [Martin DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democratsor UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB;Podkrepa Labor Confederation
other: numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO,G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO,NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Elena POPTODOROVA
chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James B. WARLICK, Jr
embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407
mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740
telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue
note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed
National anthem:
name: "Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland)
lyrics/music: Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV
note: adopted 1964; the anthem was composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War
Economy ::Bulgaria
Economy - overview:
Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, averaged more than 6% growth from 2004 to 2008, driven by significant amounts of foreign direct investment and consumption. Successive governments have demonstrated a commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but the global downturn sharply reduced domestic demand, exports, capital inflows, and industrial production. GDP contracted by approximately 5% in 2009, and stagnated in 2010, despite a significant recovery in exports. The economy is expected to grow modestly in 2011, however. Corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$91.83 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $91.83 billion (2009 est.)
$96.67 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$44.84 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 -5% (2009 est.)
6.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $12,700 (2009 est.)
$13,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.5%
industry: 27.6%
services: 64.9% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
2.61 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7.5%
industry: 36.4%
services: 56.1% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 6.3% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line:
14% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 24.1% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
29.8 (2008) country comparison to the world: 114 26.4 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Public debt:
16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 14.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 1.6% (2009)
Central bank discount rate:
0.55% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 78 5.77% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.34% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 10.86% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$12.7 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 68 $12.91 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$35.37 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $33.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$34.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $33.89 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$7.103 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 69 $8.858 billion (31 December 2008)
$21.79 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock
Industries:
electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel
Industrial production growth rate:
0.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - production:
44.83 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - consumption:
29.9 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - exports:
5.407 billion kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
3.097 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
3,227 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Oil - consumption:
125,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Oil - exports:
76,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Oil - imports:
189,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Oil - proved reserves:
15 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Natural gas - production:
218 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - consumption:
3.35 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - imports:
3.48 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Current account balance:
-$1.528 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 -$4.348 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$19.33 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $16.53 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels
Exports - partners:
Germany 11.21%, Greece 9.43%, Italy 9.24%, Romania 8.52%, Turkey 7.33%, Belgium 5.61%, France 4.44% (2009)
Imports:
$22.78 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $22.22 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials
Imports - partners:
Russia 13.14%, Germany 12.23%, Italy 7.78%, Greece 6.17%, Romania 5.65%, Turkey 5.48%, Ukraine 4.81%, Austria 4.08% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$15.07 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $18.53 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$36.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $39.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$51.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $49.28 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.372 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $1.194 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.5138 (2010), 1.404 (2009), 1.3171 (2008), 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006)
Communications ::Bulgaria
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.164 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 52
Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.617 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 62
Telephone system:
general assessment: inherited an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network from the Soviet era; quality has improved with a modern digital trunk line now connecting switching centers in most of the regions; remaining areas are connected by digital microwave radio relay
domestic: the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 in an effort to upgrade fixed-line services; mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, approached 150 telephones per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2009)
Broadcast media:
4 national terrestrial television stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately-owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas (2007)
Internet country code:
.bg
Internet hosts:
785,546 (2010) country comparison to the world: 46
Internet users:
3.395 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 63
Transportation ::Bulgaria
Airports:
210 (2010) country comparison to the world: 30
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 130
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 17
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
under 914 m: 96 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 80
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 73 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 2,926 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,294 km country comparison to the world: 38 standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 40,231 km country comparison to the world: 89 paved: 39,587 km (includes 418 km of expressways)
unpaved: 644 km (2008)
Waterways:
470 km (2009) country comparison to the world: 85
Merchant marine:
total: 37 country comparison to the world: 79 by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 27 (Germany 25, Russia 2)
registered in other countries: 31 (Comoros 8, Malta 7, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Burgas, Varna
Military ::Bulgaria
Military branches:
Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian AirForces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in January 2008; service obligation 6-9 months (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,660,930
females age 16-49: 1,646,170 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,337,201
females age 16-49: 1,360,039 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 35,604
female: 34,199 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Transnational Issues ::Bulgaria
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008)
page last updated on January 18, 2011
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@Burkina Faso (Africa)
Introduction ::Burkina Faso
Background:
Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.
Geography ::Burkina Faso
Location:
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 274,200 sq km country comparison to the world: 74 land: 273,800 sq km
water: 400 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 3,193 km
border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain:
mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m
highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
Natural resources:
manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt
Land use:
arable land: 17.66%
permanent crops: 0.22%
other: 82.12% (2005)
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
17.5 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.8 cu km/yr (13%/1%/86%)
per capita: 60 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts
Environment - current issues:
recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas
People ::Burkina Faso
Population:
16,241,811 country comparison to the world: 61 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.2% (male 3,646,661/female 3,621,648)
15-64 years: 51.3% (male 4,025,917/female 4,054,865)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 156,895/female 240,246) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.8 years
male: 16.6 years
female: 17 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.095% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Birth rate:
43.98 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Death rate:
13.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 80
Urbanization:
urban population: 20% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 82.98 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 12 male: 90.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 75.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.32 years country comparison to the world: 203 male: 51.39 years
female: 55.31 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.21 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
130,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
9,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
adjective: Burkinabe
Ethnic groups:
Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo,Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)
Religions:
Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly RomanCatholic) 10%
Languages:
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 21.8%
male: 29.4%
female: 15.2% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 6 years
male: 7 years
female: 6 years (2009)
Education expenditures:
4.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 86
Government ::Burkina Faso
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Burkina Faso
local long form: none
local short form: Burkina Faso
former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Ouagadougou
geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou,Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo,Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga,Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala,Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga,Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro,Zondoma, Zoundweogo
Independence:
5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day thatUpper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
Constitution:
approved by referendum 2 June 1991; formally adopted 11 June 1991; last amended January 2002
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)
head of government: Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 November 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature
election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly election last held on 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation orADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]; Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [AntoineQUARE]; Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [AmadouDiemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [RochMarc-Christian KABORE]; Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [NanaTHIBAUT]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [NayabtigungouCongo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [SoumaneTOURE]; Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS[Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [FelixSOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Jeanne TRAORE];Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU];Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO];Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS; Union forDemocracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]; Union forRebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Unionfor the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union ofSankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON];Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE];Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; National Confederationof Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]; NationalOrganization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE]
other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM,OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas DOUGHERTY
embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4
mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440
telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance,and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National anthem:
name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)
lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA
note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night), Burkina Faso"s anthem was written by the country"s president, an avid guitar player
Economy ::Burkina Faso
Economy - overview:
Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that relies heavily on cotton and gold exports for revenue. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual privatization of state-owned enterprises and in 2004 revised its investment code to attract foreign investment. As a result of this new code and other legislation favoring the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration and production. By 2010, gold had become the main source of export revenue.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$20.06 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $19.07 billion (2009 est.)
$18.48 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.672 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 3.2% (2009 est.)
5.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 $1,200 (2009 est.)
$1,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 30.1%
industry: 20.7%
services: 49.2% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
6.668 million country comparison to the world: 64 note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 90%
industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
77% (2004) country comparison to the world: 197
Population below poverty line:
46.4% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 64 48.2 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 2.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 103 4.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.416 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.303 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.406 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $2.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.373 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.236 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock
Industries:
cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Industrial production growth rate:
5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - production:
611.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - consumption:
568.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - imports:
8,283 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Current account balance:
-$486 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 -$330 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$991 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $772 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, livestock, gold
Exports - partners:
Singapore 16.76%, Belgium 12.78%, China 7.59%, Ghana 6.89%, India 6.36%, Denmark 5.76%, Niger 5.13%, Thailand 4.52% (2009)
Imports:
$1.48 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.186 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum
Imports - partners:
Cote d'Ivoire 24.31%, France 19.48%, Togo 6.42% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.588 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $1.296 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.002 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $1.784 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 506.04 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006)
Communications ::Burkina Faso
Telephones - main lines in use:
167,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 132
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.299 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 109
Telephone system:
general assessment: system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base
international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately-owned; state-owned radio runs a national and regional network; substantial number of privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available in Ouagadougou (2007)
Internet country code:
.bf
Internet hosts:
1,877 (2010) country comparison to the world: 155
Internet users:
178,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144
Transportation ::Burkina Faso
Airports:
24 (2010) country comparison to the world: 132
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Railways:
total: 622 km country comparison to the world: 109 narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge
note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2008)
Roadways:
total: 92,495 km country comparison to the world: 53 paved: 3,857 km
unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)
Military ::Burkina Faso
Military branches:
Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso,FABF), National Gendarmerie (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in supporting roles (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,608,963 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,280,776
females age 16-49: 2,278,474 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 188,394
female: 185,975 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 120
Transnational Issues ::Burkina Faso
Disputes - international:
in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005 ICJ decision; in recent years citizens and rogue security forces rob and harass local populations on both sides of the poorly defined Burkina Faso-Niger border; despite the presence of more than 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states that can no longer send their migrant workers to work in Ivorian cocoa plantations
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Burma (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Burma
Background:
Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In September 1988, the military deposed NE WIN and established a new ruling junta. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest. She was finally released in November 2010. After the ruling junta in August 2007 unexpectedly increased fuel prices, tens of thousands of Burmese marched in protest, led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks. In late September 2007, the government brutally suppressed the protests, killing at least 13 people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. Since then, the regime has continued to raid homes and monasteries and arrest persons suspected of participating in the pro-democracy protests. Burma in early May 2008 was struck by Cyclone Nargis which official estimates claimed left over 80,000 dead and 50,000 injured. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990. Parliamentary elections held in November 2010, considered flawed by many in the international community, saw the junta's Union Solidarity and Development Party garnering over 70 percent of the seats. Parliament is constitutionally mandated to convene within 90 days of the election; the president, two vice presidents, and ministers will be selected at that time.
Geography ::Burma
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand