The 1995 CIA World FactbookPart 6 out of 45local: NA intercity: NA international: no earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 2, shortwave 0 radios: 840,000 Television: broadcast stations: 6 televisions: 1,012,094 @Bosnia And Herzegovina:Defense Forces Branches: Army Manpower availability: males age 15-49 815,055; males fit for military service 657,454; males reach military age (19) annually 38,201 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP ________________________________________________________________________ BOTSWANA @Botswana:Geography Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Map references: Africa Area: total area: 600,370 sq km land area: 585,370 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total 4,013 km, Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: short section of boundary with Namibia is indefinite; quadripoint with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in mid-February 1995 and the parties agreed to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 75% forest and woodland: 2% other: 21% Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: overgrazing, primarily as a result of the expansion of the cattle population; desertification; limited natural fresh water resources natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity Note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country @Botswana:People Population: 1,392,414 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (female 300,598; male 303,333) 15-64 years: 53% (female 398,347; male 344,838) 65 years and over: 4% (female 25,773; male 19,525) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.36% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 31.01 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 7.41 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.56 years male: 60.54 years female: 66.67 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.86 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic divisions: Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi 4%, white 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50% Languages: English (official), Setswana Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 23% male: 32% female: 16% Labor force: 428,000 (1992) by occupation: 220,000 formal sector employees, most others are engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1992 est.); 14,300 are employed in various mines in South Africa (March 1992) @Botswana:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Digraph: BC Type: parliamentary republic Capital: Gaborone Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Central, Chobe, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngamiland, North-East, South-East, Southern; in addition, there are 4 town councils - Francistown, Gaborone, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966) Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October 1999); results - President Sir Ketumile MASIRE was reelected by the National Assembly cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament House of Chiefs: is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of chiefs of the 8 principal tribes, 4 elected subchiefs, and 3 members selected by the other 12 National Assembly: elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total of which 40 are elected and 4 are appointed) BDP 27, BNF 13 Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Sir Ketumile MASIRE; Botswana National Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA; Botswana People's Party (BPP), Knight MARIPE; Botswana Independence Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Botsweletse Kingsley SEBELE chancery: Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Howard F. JETER embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 356947 Flag: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center @Botswana:Economy Overview: The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops. Agriculture today provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of food needs and accounts for only 5% of GDP. Subsistence farming and cattle raising predominate. The driving force behind the rapid economic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry. This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone from generating 25% of GDP in 1980 to 39% in 1994. No other sector has experienced such growth, especially not agriculture, which is plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 25%. Hampered by a still sluggish diamond market in 1994, GDP grew by only 1%. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,130 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1994 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $1.99 billion, including capital expenditures of $652 million (FY93/94) Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1994) commodities: diamonds 78%, copper and nickel 6%, meat 5% partners: Switzerland, UK, SACU (Southern African Customs Union) Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum products partners: Switzerland, SACU (Southern African Customs Union), UK, US External debt: $344 million (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (FY92/93); accounts for about 43% of GDP, including mining Electricity: capacity: 220,000 kW production: 900 million kWh consumption per capita: 694 kWh (1993) Industries: mining of diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing Agriculture: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts, beans, cowpeas, sunflower seeds; livestock Economic aid: recipient: US aid (1992), $13 million; Norway (1992), $16 million; Sweden (1992), $15.5 million; Germany (1992), $3.6 million; EC/Lome-IV (1992), $3 million-$6 million in grants; $28.7 million in long-term projects (1992) Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1 - 1.7086 (January 1995), 2.6976 (November 1994), 2.4190 (1993), 2.1327 (1992), 2.0173 (1991), 1.8601 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Botswana:Transportation Railroads: total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (1992) Highways: total: 11,514 km paved: 1,600 km unpaved: crushed stone, gravel 1,700 km; improved earth 5,177 km; unimproved earth 3,037 km Ports: none Airports: total: 100 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 23 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 5 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 62 @Botswana:Communications Telephone system: 26,000 telephones; sparse system; telephone density - 18.67 telephones/1,000 persons local: NA intercity: small system of open wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radio communication stations international: 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA @Botswana:Defense Forces Branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 306,878; males fit for military service 161,376; males reach military age (18) annually 15,403 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $198 million, 5.2% of GDP (FY93/94) ________________________________________________________________________ BOUVET ISLAND (territory of Norway) @Bouvet Island:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total area: 58 sq km land area: 58 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm International disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly inaccessible Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all ice) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: covered by glacial ice @Bouvet Island:People Population: uninhabited @Bouvet Island:Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Digraph: BV Type: territory of Norway Capital: none; administered from Oslo, Norway Independence: none (territory of Norway) @Bouvet Island:Economy Overview: no economic activity @Bouvet Island:Transportation Ports: none; offshore anchorage only @Bouvet Island:Communications Telephone system: *** No data for this item *** Note: automatic meteorological station @Bouvet Island:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway ________________________________________________________________________ BRAZIL @Brazil:Geography Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Map references: South America Area: total area: 8,511,965 sq km land area: 8,456,510 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than the US note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Land boundaries: total 14,691 km, Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of the boundary with Paraguay, just west of Salto das Sete Quedas (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, is in dispute; two short sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute - Arroio Invernada (Arroyo de la Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai (Rio Cuareim) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay River Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 67% other: 6% Irrigated land: 27,000 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers the existence of a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification Note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador @Brazil:People Population: 160,737,489 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (female 24,641,868; male 25,515,775) 15-64 years: 64% (female 51,966,272; male 51,254,165) 65 years and over: 5% (female 4,393,530; male 2,965,879) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 1.22% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 21.16 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 8.98 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 57.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.82 years male: 56.57 years female: 67.32 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.39 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic divisions: Caucasion (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed Caucasion and African 38%, African 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 70% Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991) total population: 80% male: 80% female: 80% Labor force: 57 million (1989 est.) by occupation: services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27% @Brazil:Government Names: conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil Digraph: BR Type: federal republic Capital: Brasilia Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995) election last held 3 October 1994; next to be held October 1998); results - Fernando Henrique CARDOSO 53%, Luis Inacio LULA da Silva 26%, Eneas CARNEIRO 7%, Orestes QUERCIA 4%, Leonel BRIZOLA 3%, Espiridiao AMIN 3%; note - second free, direct presidential election since 1960 cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional) Federal Senate (Senado Federal): election last held 3 October 1994 for two-thirds of Senate (next to be held October 1996 for one-third of the Senate); results - PMBD 28%, PFL 22%, PSDB 12%, PPR 7%, PDT 7%, PT 6%, PTB 6%, other 12% Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados): election last held 3 October 1994 (next to be held October 1998); results - PMDB 21%, PFL 18%, PDT 7%, PSDB 12%, PPR 10%, PTB 6%, PT 10%, other 16% Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal Political parties and leaders: National Reconstruction Party (PRN), Daniel TOURINHO, president; Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), Luiz HENRIQUE da Silveira, president; Liberal Front Party (PFL), Jorge BORNHAUSEN, president; Workers' Party (PT), Rui Goethe da Costa FALCAO, president; Brazilian Workers' Party (PTB), Jose Eduardo ANDRADE VIEIRA, president; Democratic Workers' Party (PDT), Anthony GAROTINHO, president; Progressive Renewal Party (PPR), Espiridiao AMIN, president; Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), Artur DA TAVOLA, president; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Roberto FREIRE, president; Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), Joao AMAZONAS, secretary general; Liberal Party (PL), Alvero VALLE, president Other political or pressure groups: left wing of the Catholic Church and labor unions allied to leftist Workers' Party are critical of government's social and economic policies Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MERCOSUR, NAM (observer), OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paulo Tarso FLECHA de LIMA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 745-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco consulate(s): Houston US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Melvyn LEVITSKY embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrito Federal mailing address: Unit 3500; APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 321-7272 FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Porto Alegre, Recife Flag: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) @Brazil:Economy Overview: The economy, with large agrarian, mining, and manufacturing sectors, entered the 1990s with declining real growth, runaway inflation, an unserviceable foreign debt of $122 billion, and a lack of policy direction. In addition, the economy remained highly regulated, inward-looking, and protected by substantial trade and investment barriers. Ownership of major industrial and mining facilities is divided among private interests - including several multinationals - and the government. Most large agricultural holdings are private, with the government channeling financing to this sector. Conflicts between large landholders and landless peasants have produced intermittent violence. The COLLOR government, which assumed office in March 1990, launched an ambitious reform program that sought to modernize and reinvigorate the economy by stabilizing prices, deregulating the economy, and opening it to increased foreign competition. Itamar FRANCO, who assumed the presidency following President COLLOR's resignation in December 1992, was out of step with COLLOR's reform agenda; initiatives to redress fiscal problems, privatize state enterprises, and liberalize trade and investment policies lost momentum. Galloping inflation - by June 1994 the monthly rate had risen to nearly 50% - had undermined economic stability. In response, the then finance minister, Fernando Henrique CARDOSO, launched the third phase of his stabilization plan, known as Plano Real, that called for a new currency, the real, which was introduced on 1 July 1994. Inflation subsequently dropped to under 3% per month through the end of 1994. The newly elected President CARDOSO has called for the implementation of sweeping market-oriented reform, including public sector and fiscal reform, privatization, deregulation, and elimination of barriers to increased foreign investment. Brazil's natural resources remain a major, long-term economic strength. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $886.3 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $5,580 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1,094% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (1993) Budget: revenues: $113 billion expenditures: $109 billion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (1992) Exports: $43.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee, motor vehicle parts partners: EC 27.6%, Latin America 21.8%, US 17.4%, Japan 6.3% (1993) Imports: $33.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coal partners: US 23.3%, EC 22.5%, Middle East 13.0%, Latin America 11.8%, Japan 6.5% (1993) External debt: $134 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate 9.5% (1993); accounts for 39% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 55,130,000 kW production: 241.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,589 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, mining (iron ore, tin), steel making, machine building - including aircraft, motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and assemblies, and other machinery and equipment Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP; world's largest producer and exporter of coffee and orange juice concentrate and second-largest exporter of soybeans; other products - rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, beef; self-sufficient in food, except for wheat Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and coca, mostly for domestic consumption; government has a small-scale eradication program to control cannabis and coca cultivation; important transshipment country for Bolivian and Colombian cocaine headed for the US and Europe Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.5 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.2 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $284 million; former Communist countries (1970-89), $1.3 billion Currency: 1 real (R$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: R$ per US$1 - 0.85 (January 1995); CR$ per US$1 - 390.845 (January 1994), 88.449 (1993), 4.513 (1992), 0.407 (1991), 0.068 (1990) note: on 1 August 1993 the cruzeiro real (CR$), equal to 1,000 cruzeiros, was introduced; another new currency, the real, was introduced on 1 July 1994, equal to 2,750 cruzeiro reals Fiscal year: calendar year @Brazil:Transportation Railroads: total: 30,612 km (1992) broad gauge: 5,369 km 1.600-m gauge (1,108 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 24,739 km 1.000-m gauge (112 km electrified); 13 km 0.760-m gauge dual gauge: 310 km 1.600-m/1.000-m gauge (78 km electrified) Highways: total: 1,670,148 km paved: 161,503 km unpaved: gravel/earth 1,508,645 km (1990) Inland waterways: 50,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural gas 1,095 km Ports: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria Merchant marine: total: 215 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,128,654 GRT/8,664,776 DWT ships by type: bulk 52, cargo 34, chemical tanker 13, combination ore/oil 12, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 11, oil tanker 64, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11 Airports: total: 3,467 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 5 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 126 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 286 with paved runways under 914 m: 1,652 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 76 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1,303 @Brazil:Communications Telephone system: 9.86 million telephones; telephone density - 61/1,000 persons; good working system local: NA intercity: extensive microwave radio relay systems and 64 domestic satellite earth stations international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1,223, FM 0, shortwave 151 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 112 (Brazil has the world's fourth largest television broadcasting system) televisions: NA @Brazil:Defense Forces Branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 44,301,765; males fit for military service 29,815,576; males reach military age (18) annually 1,703,438 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, 0.9% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY (dependent territory of the UK) @British Indian Ocean Territory:Geography Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Map references: World Area: total area: 60 sq km land area: 60 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes the island of Diego Garcia Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation) 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 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 @British Indian Ocean Territory:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are UK-US military personnel; civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities @British Indian Ocean Territory:Government Names: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none Abbreviation: BIOT Digraph: IO Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: none Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Mr. D. R. MACLENNAN); Administrator Mr. David Smith; note - both reside in the UK Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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 @British Indian Ocean Territory:Economy 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 @British Indian Ocean Territory:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: NA paved: short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia unpaved: NA Ports: Diego Garcia Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 @British Indian Ocean Territory:Communications Telephone system: NA telephones; minimal facilities local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @British Indian Ocean Territory:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) @British Virgin Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 150 sq km land area: 150 sq km comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC note: 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, hilly Natural resources: negligible 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 a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the island's water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment) natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) international agreements: NA Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico @British Virgin Islands:People Population: 13,027 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.27% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 20.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.73 years male: 70.88 years female: 74.7 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.27 children born/woman (1995 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 (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 4,911 (1980) by occupation: NA @British Virgin Islands:Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands Abbreviation: BVI Digraph: VI Type: 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Peter Alfred PENFOLD (since 14 October 1991) head of government: Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA September 1986) cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held on NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3 note: legislature was expanded to 13 seats as of election on 20 February 1995 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY Member of: CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) 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) @British Virgin Islands:Economy Overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which generates about 21% of the national income. In 1985 the government offered offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and, in consequence, incorporation fees generated about $2 million in 1987. The economy slowed in 1991 because of the poor performances of the tourist sector and tight commercial bank credit. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991) National product real growth rate: 2% (1991) National product per capita: $10,600 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992) Budget: revenues: $51 million expenditures: $88 million, including capital expenditures of $38 million (1991) Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US External debt: $4.5 million (1985) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1985) Electricity: capacity: 10,500 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @British Virgin Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 106 km (1983) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Road Town Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @British Virgin Islands:Communications Telephone system: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service local: NA intercity: NA international: submarine cable communication links to Bermuda Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @British Virgin Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ BRUNEI @Brunei:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 5,770 sq km land area: 5,270 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware Land boundaries: total 381 km, Malysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line territorial 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; hilly lowland in west 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: NA natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are very rare international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia @Brunei:People Population: 292,266 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (female 48,458; male 50,624) 15-64 years: 62% (female 85,581; male 95,955) 65 years and over: 4% (female 5,172; male 6,476) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.63% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 25.83 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: 5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.24 years male: 69.65 years female: 72.91 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.41 children born/woman (1995 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 (1991) total population: 88% male: 92% female: 82% Labor force: 119,000 (1993 est.); note - includes members of the Army by occupation: government 47.5%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 41.9%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.8% (1986) note: 33% of labor force is foreign (1988) @Brunei:Government Names: conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei Digraph: BX Type: 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 His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers; composed chiefly of members of the royal family 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 constitution reform, but elections are unlikely for several years Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Brunei United National Party (inactive), Anak HASANUDDIN, chairman; Brunei National Solidarity Party (the first legal political party and now banned), leader NA; Brunei Peoples Party (banned), leader NA Member of: APEC, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, ICAO, IDB, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Haji JAYA bin Abdul Latif chancery: Watergate, Suite 300, 3rd floor, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0159 FAX: [1] (202) 342-0158 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Theresa A. TULL embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan mailing address: American Embassy Box B, APO AP 96440 telephone: [673] (2) 229670 FAX: [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 @Brunei:Economy 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. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.43 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $16,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 5% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $255 million (1990 est.) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products partners: Japan 52%, South Korea 10%, UK 9%, Thailand 7%, Singapore 6% (1991) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals partners: Singapore 34%, UK 23%, US 10%, Japan 8%, Malaysia 7%, Switzerland 4% (1991) External debt: $0 Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (1987); accounts for 41.6% of GDP (1990), includes mining, quarrying, and manufacturing Electricity: capacity: 380,000 kW production: 1.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,971 kWh (1993) Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Agriculture: imports about 80% of its food needs; principal crops and livestock include rice, cassava, bananas, buffaloes, and pigs Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $20.6 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $153 million Currency: 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.4524 (January 1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar Fiscal year: calendar year @Brunei:Transportation Railroads: total: 13 km private line narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge Highways: total: 1,090 km paved: bituminous 370 km (with another 52 km under construction) unpaved: gravel or earth 720 km Inland waterways: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 meters Pipelines: crude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 920 km Ports: Bandar Seri Begawar, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong Merchant marine: total: 7 liquefied gas carriers (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,476 GRT/340,635 DWT Airports: total: 5 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @Brunei:Communications Telephone system: 33,000 telephones (1987); service throughout country is adequate for present needs; international service good to adjacent Malaysia local: NA intercity: NA international: INTELSAT (NA Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: 74,000 (1987) note: radiobroadcast coverage good Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @Brunei:Defense Forces Branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 81,560; males fit for military service 47,403; males reach military age (18) annually 2,835 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $312 million, 6.2% of GDP (1994) ________________________________________________________________________ BULGARIA @Bulgaria:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: total area: 110,910 sq km land area: 110,550 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total 1,808 km, Greece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km (all with 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 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; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia @Bulgaria:People Population: 8,775,198 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (female 800,413; male 841,697) 15-64 years: 66% (female 2,927,880; male 2,910,133) 65 years and over: 15% (female 735,706; male 559,369) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: -0.25% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 11.75 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 11.31 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -2.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.68 years male: 70.43 years female: 77.1 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (1995 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%, Roman Catholic 0.5%, Uniate Catholic 0.2%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 0.5% Languages: Bulgarian; secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdown Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992) total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97% Labor force: 4.3 million by occupation: industry 33%, agriculture 20%, other 47% (1987) @Bulgaria:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria Digraph: BU Type: 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; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Zhelyu Mitev ZHELEV (since 1 August 1990); Vice President (vacant); election last held January 1992; results - Zhelyu ZHELEV was elected by popular vote head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Zhan VIDENOV (since 25 January 1995); Deputy Prime Ministers Doncho KONAKCHIEV, Kiril TSOCHEV, Rumen GECHEV, 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, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Zhan VIDENOV, chairman; Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), Ivan KOSTOV an alliance of pro-Democratic parties; People's Union (PU), Stefan SAVOV; Movement for Rights and Freedoms (mainly ethnic Turkish party) (MRF), Ahmed DOGAN; Bulgarian Business Bloc (BBB), George GANCHEV Other political or pressure groups: Democratic Alliance for the Republic (DAR); New Union for Democracy (NUD); Ecoglasnost; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; Fatherland Union; Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP); Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB); Bulgarian Agrarian National Union - United (BZNS); Bulgarian Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian National Union; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Union of Macedonian Societies (IMRO-UMS); numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas Member of: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI (associate members), EBRD, ECE, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, 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 William D. MONTGOMERY embassy: 1 Saborna Street, Sofia mailing address: Unit 1335, Sofia; APO AE 09213-1335 telephone: [359] (2) 88-48-01 through 05 FAX: [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 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) @Bulgaria:Economy Overview: The Bulgarian economy continued its painful adjustment in 1994 from the misdirected development undertaken during four decades of Communist rule. Many aspects of a market economy have been put in place and have begun to function, but much of the economy, especially the industrial sector, has yet to re-establish market links lost with the collapse of the other centrally planned Soviet Bloc economies. The prices of many imported industrial inputs, especially energy products, have risen markedly, and falling real wages have not sufficed to restore competitiveness. The government plans more extensive privatization in 1995 to improve the management of enterprises and to encourage foreign investment. Bulgaria resumed payments on its $10 billion in commercial debt in 1993 following the negotiation of a 50% write-off. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $33.7 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.2% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,830 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 122% (1994) Unemployment rate: 16% (1994) Budget: revenues: $14 billion expenditures: $17.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $610 million (1993 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and equipment 30.6%; agricultural products 24%; manufactured consumer goods 22.2%; fuels, minerals, raw materials, and metals 10.5%; other 12.7% (1991) partners: former CEMA countries 57.7% (FSU 48.6%, Poland 2.1%, Czechoslovakia 0.9%); developed countries 26.3% (Germany 4.8%, Greece 2.2%); less developed countries 15.9% (Libya 2.1%, Iran 0.7%) (1991) Imports: $4.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials 58.7%; machinery and equipment 15.8%; manufactured consumer goods 4.4%; agricultural products 15.2%; other 5.9% partners: former CEMA countries 51.0% (FSU 43.2%, Poland 3.7%); developed countries 32.8% (Germany 7.0%, Austria 4.7%); less developed countries 16.2% (Iran 2.8%, Libya 2.5%) External debt: $12 billion (1994) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1994); accounts for about 37% of GDP (1990) Electricity: capacity: 11,500,000 kW production: 35.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,827 kWh (1993) Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles, building materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals Agriculture: climate and soil conditions support livestock raising and the growing of various grain crops, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, and tobacco; more than one-third of the arable land devoted to grain; world's fourth-largest tobacco exporter; surplus food producer Illicit drugs: transshipment point for southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine transiting the Balkan route; limited producer of precursor chemicals Economic aid: recipient: $700 million in balance of payments support (1994) Currency: 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1 - 67.04 (January 1995), 32.00 (January 1994), 24.56 (January 1993), 17.18 (January 1992), 16.13 (March 1991), 0.7446 (November 1990); note - floating exchange rate since February 1991 Fiscal year: calendar year @Bulgaria:Transportation Railroads: total: 4,294 km standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,650 km electrified; 917 double track) other: 245 km NA-m gauge (1994) Highways: total: 36,932 km paved: 33,904 km (including 276 km expressways) unpaved: earth 3,028 km (1992) Inland 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: 109 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,191,231 GRT/1,762,461 DWT ships by type: bulk 47, cargo 29, chemical carrier 4, container 2, oil tanker 15, passenger-cargo 2, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 1 note: Bulgaria owns 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,960 DWT operating under Liberian registry Airports: total: 355 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 17 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 with paved runways under 914 m: 88 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 10 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 226 @Bulgaria:Communications Telephone system: 2,600,000 telephones; 29 telephones/100 persons (1992); extensive but antiquated transmission system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; direct dialing to 36 countries; telephone service is available in most villages; almost two-thirds of the lines are residential; 67% of Sofia households have phones (November 1988) local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 earth station using Intersputnik; INTELSAT link used 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) @Bulgaria:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Troops, Internal Troops Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,171,414; males fit for military service 1,810,989; males reach military age (19) annually 69,200 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: 13 billion leva, NA% of GDP (1994 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results ________________________________________________________________________ BURKINA @Burkina:Geography Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana Map references: Africa Area: total area: 274,200 sq km land area: 273,800 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Colorado Land boundaries: total 3,192 km, 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 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 in west and southeast Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, 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 severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation natural hazards: recurring droughts international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Note: landlocked @Burkina:People Population: 10,422,828 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (female 2,488,662; male 2,517,245) 15-64 years: 49% (female 2,707,601; male 2,378,957) 65 years and over: 3% (female 184,578; male 145,785) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.79% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 48.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 18.22 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 116.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.6 years male: 45.71 years female: 47.51 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.88 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Ethnic divisions: Mossi (about 2.5 million), Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Languages: French (official), tribal languages belonging to Sudanic family, spoken by 90% of the population Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 18% male: 28% female: 9% Labor force: NA (most adults are employed in subsistance agriculture) by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry 15%, commerce, services, and government 5% note: 20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (1984) @Burkina:Government Names: conventional long form: Burkina Faso conventional short form: Burkina former: Upper Volta Digraph: UV Type: 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
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