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soc.culture.bulgaria FAQ (monthly posting) (part 1/10) |
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Last-Modified: July 17, 2000
Posting-Frequency: Monthly
Version: 4.11
URL: http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~radev/cgi-bin/bgfaq.cgi
Archive-Name: bulgaria-faq/part1
===============================================================================
CHAPTER 0: INTRODUCTION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-1 About this FAQ
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 17-Jul-1920
This list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Bulgaria is a
collaborative effort at creating a useful electronic reference document
about Bulgaria.
* Note (July 17, 2000): The FAQ is being rewritten at this moment. Many
* articles may disappear from the future releases while others are
* being updated and/or added. If you want to volunteer to help with
* the next release, send mail to the maintainer.
The FAQ is related to the newsgroup soc.culture.bulgaria (see below). Many
of the materials contained herein are derived from postings in
soc.culture.bulgaria
Please read this FAQ list before posting to soc.culture.bulgaria.
The names in parentheses after each question are the contributor's, which is
sometimes a different person than the author of the quoted text.
The FAQ is a collection of materials, rather than a complete reference. Some
of the information may be out of date, so please be careful and take
everything with a grain of salt. Unless an article contains explicit
information about when it was last updated, it is older than February 1,
1994.
The maintainer of this list is Dragomir R. Radev (radev@cs.columbia.edu).
Unless explicitly mentioned, I do not assume any responsibility for
incorrect information. I cannot and have not tested all materials for
accuracy.
Any comments, contributions, and corrections are more than welcome. The
maintainer reserves all rights to edit or reject submissions. Send
submissions to radev@cs.columbia.edu
This FAQ can be reposted anywhere under the following restrictions:
- Use the most recent version of the FAQ as possible. The most recent
version is always available from the Usenet newsgroup soc.answers
- Keep all appropriate credits: the name of the contributor(s) and my
name. Keep this list of restrictions as well.
- Any modifications (other than presentation-related) should be clearly
marked as yours.
- You should include a pointer to the original version of the FAQ - either
one of the Usenet newsgroups soc.culture.bulgaria or soc.answers, or the
WWW site listed below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-2 FAQ availability
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 17-Jul-1920
Currently, the FAQ is available via mail server, anonymous FTP, Usenet and
WWW.
Usenet: The FAQ is posted approximately once monthly on
soc.culture.bulgaria
WWW: This FAQ is available on the World-Wide Web from
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~radev/cgi-bin/bgfaq.cgi (HTML form)
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~radev/bulgaria/faq (text form)
FTP: This FAQ (as well as all other approved FAQ) is available by anonymous
ftp from rtfm.mit.edu in either of the following directories:
/pub/usenet-by-group/soc.culture.bulgaria OR
/pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/soc/culture/bulgaria
Mail: This FAQ is also available by mail server. You have to send mail
to one of the following:
(1)
mail-server@cs.ruu.nl (in Europe) the text of the mail should
include the following lines:
open
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part0
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part1
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part2
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part3
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part4
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part5
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part6
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part7
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part8
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part9
get /pub/NEWS.ANSWERS/bulgaria-faq/part10
quit
(2)
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu (in North America) the text of the mail
should include the following lines:
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part0
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part1
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part2
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part3
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part4
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part5
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part6
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part7
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part8
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part9
send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq/part10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-3 Partial list of contributors
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 17-Jul-1920
Lyubomir Alexandrov
henryberry_@_aol.com Henry Berry
bell_@_umbc2.umbc.edu John Bell
daniel.belovarsky_@_mbox2.swipnet.se Daniel Belovarsky
Plamen.Bliznakov_@_ASU.edu Plamen Bliznakov
dimitar_@_best.com Dimitar Bojanchev
sboyadj_@_indyvax.iupui.edu Simeon Boyadjiev
lb_@_bgcict.acad.bg Luben Boyanov
Kitty Kagay
jcashel_@_eurasia.org Jim Cashel
Dimitar Chankov
tatiana_@_best.com Tatiana Christy
Karen Colburn
phyjgc_@_clust.hw.ac.uk Graham Crowder
Prashant Dave
Teodora Davidova
george.demirev_@_itcambridge.com George Demirev
Silvana Dimitrov
dintchef_@_ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu Barbara Dintcheff
DONTCHEV_@_KATK.helsinki.fi Yulian Donchev
filipovi_@_SDSU.EDU Bojidar Filipovich
Dimitar Ganchev
Gregory Gouzev
Ken Gray
Alex Haralampiev
Melissa Harris
r.hays_@_auntie.bbcnc.org.uk Rosa Hays
henze_@_hrz.uni-kassel.de Rolf Henze
izvorski_@_mercury.cis.yale.edu Ivaylo Izvorski
Austin Kelly
kenderov_@_xlink.net Stoyan Kenderov
jivko_@_nntp.ijs.com Jivko Kolchev
interpost_@_alteko.pp.fi Alexander Kostadinov
koutlev_@_ix.netcom.com
Zdravena Maldjieva
Vladimir Marangozov
maxval_@_mbox.digsys.bg Ivan Marinov
veni_@_cit.bg Veni Markovski
mac_@_maine.maine.edu Dennis McConnell
Nikolay Mehandjiev
mmintche_@_gpu.srv.ualberta.ca Martin Mintchev
Peter Mitev
Dimitar Nikolov
nnikolov_@_lamar.colostate.edu Ned Nikolov
Kamen Penev
Penyo Penev
Vassil Peytchev
pp861592_@_oak.cats.ohiou.edu Plamen Petkov
Ivan Petrov
vpetrov_@_bgnet.bgsu.edu Valentin Petrov
Roumi Radenska
K.R.Hauge_@_easteur-orient.uio.no Kjetil Ra Hauge
andrey_@_ix.netcom.com Andrey Savov
Plamen Sivov
Rick Speer
Plamen Stanoev
Plamen Stefanov
Ernie Scatton
Karel Stokkermans
talev_@_access.digex.net Iliya Talev
Jan Terziyski
vtodorov_@_astro.ocis.temple.edu Val Todorov
mincho_@_lamar.ColoState.EDU Mincho Tsankov
htsa1_@_CFS02.cc.monash.edu.au Harry Tsamaidis
Vesselin Velikov
Peter Yovchev
Konstantin Zahariev
Rossen Zlatev
n65897_@_ns1.rz.fhtw-berlin.de Holger Zscheyge
BSEN069_@_UNLVM.UNL.EDU Veselin Miladinov
ron_@_doc.cc.utexas.edu ?
CIA World Factbook
US Department of Commerce
US Department of State
Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission
===============================================================================
CHAPTER 1: THE SOC.CULTURE.BULGARIA NEWSGROUP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-1 How was soc.culture.bulgaria created
(by Ivan Petrov), last updated: 31-Dec-1991
The proposal was made on Oct.10 1991 and read as follows:
"I am submitting a request for discussion to create a new newsgroup
SOC.CULTURE.BULGARIA.
Why: The country is being reborn. Politics, economy and culture are
rapidly changing. History is being given a fresh look. Free exchange
of information and ideas is essential. The input of everyone interested
in Bulgarian society and culture is important. Besides: Older waves of
emigration were followed by a new one. There is a need to create links
between Bulgarians around the world and to sustain the connection with
the home country.
CHARTER: To promote exchange of information and ideas on all aspects of
Bulgarian culture and society.
STATUS: Unmoderated
The proposal appeared in news.newgroups on Oct.16, opening a 30 days
discussion period. Vassil and Luben were the most active participants.
Voting took place between Nov. 21 and Dec. 15, 1991 and was processed by
Svilen Tzonev and myself. Here is a portion of the announcement of the
results:
"I am happy to announce that soc.culture.bulgaria received a favorable
vote. A total of 270 people voted of which 241 in support and 29
against. The numbers meet the criteria for a successful vote by a wide
margin.
YES - NO = 212 > 100
and
YES >> 2 x NO"
... It is up to us now to make it an interesting and
viable group by supplying information, asking questions,
answering questions etc..."
The group was created on Dec.24, 1991 (rozhdestvo Hristovo i Grupovo)
and the first posting appeared on Dec.30, 1991.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-2 Some statistics on the newsgroup
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 14-Apr-1997
soc.culture.bulgaria FAQ (monthly posting) (part */*)
This posting contains Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about
Bulgaria and their answers. It should be read by anyone who
wishes to post to the soc.culture.bulgaria Usenet newsgroup. The
FAQ consists of
From: radev@news.cs.columbia.edu (Dragomir R. Radev)
Posted: Monthly (26 Oct 1995 10:08:12 -0400)
Readers: 15000 (0.2%) {62%} Mesgs per month/day: 1278/43 {72%}
Crossposting: 7% {32%} Megs per month/day: 4.2/0.140 {86%}
Sites reciving this Group: 63% Cost ratio ($US/month/rdr): 0.16
===============================================================================
CHAPTER 2: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BULGARIA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-1 Bulgaria - Ancient and Young
(by Rossen Zlatev), last updated: 31-Dec-1991
Situated in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria boasts
an old and rich history. Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines,
Slavs and Bulgarians inhabited this land in their time, leaving
behind monuments and enriching the world's treasure-house of culture.
Bulgaria occupies 111 000 square km and has a population of 8.8
million. Bulgaria's capital is the city of Sofia with 1.3
million people. Bulgaria is divided into two parts by the Balkan
mountain, and also borders Black sea.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-2 Bulgaria - consular information sheet (09/1999)
(by US Department of State), last updated: 17-Jul-1920
Bulgaria - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Bulgaria is a moderately developed European nation
undergoing significant economic changes. Tourist facilities are widely
available although conditions vary and some facilities may not up to
Western standards. Goods and services taken for granted in other European
countries are still not available in many areas of Bulgaria.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. A visa is not required for U.S.
citizen visitors for stays of up to 30 days. Travelers who intend to stay
more than 30 days should secure a Bulgarian visa as the fees connected with
the extension of their stay in the country are much higher than the visa
fees. Visitors should carry their passport with them at all times. For
further information concerning entry requirements, travelers should contact
the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd St. N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20008; tel: (202) 483-5885 (main switchboard (202) 387-7969) or the
Bulgarian Consulate in New York City.
CRIME INFORMATION: Petty street crime, much of which is directed against
foreigners or others who appear to have money, continues to be a problem.
Pickpocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially in
crowded markets and on shopping streets. Confidence artists operate on
public transportation and in bus and train stations, and travelers should
be suspicious of "instant friends" and should also require persons claiming
to be officials to show identification. Taxi drivers at Sofia Airport often
gouge unwary travelers, and even if they agree to run their meters, the
amounts to be paid are much higher than normal. Travelers who pre-negotiate
a fare can avoid the more outrageous overcharging. Because incidents of
pilferage of checked baggage at Sofia Airport are common, travelers should
not include items of value in checked luggage. Automobile theft is also a
frequent problem, with four-wheel drive vehicles and late model European
sedans the most popular targets. Very few vehicles are recovered. Thieves
also sometimes smash vehicle windows to steal valuables left in sight. The
loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to
the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens
may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways
to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs
home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Although Bulgarian physicians are trained to a very
high standard, most hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped and
maintained at U.S. or Western European levels. Basic medical supplies are
widely available, but specialized treatment may not be obtainable. Serious
medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the
United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the
United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment
for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who
require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with
your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas,
including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will
be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be
reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also
include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains
in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad,
including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of
States Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for
Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs
home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via their
Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S.
citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from
those in the United States. The information below concerning Bulgaria is
provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a
particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Fair
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor to Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
The Bulgarian road system is underdeveloped. There are few sections of
limited-access divided highway. Some roads are in poor repair and full of
potholes. Rockslides and landslides are common on roads in mountain areas.
Livestock and animal-drawn carts present road hazards throughout the
country. Travel conditions deteriorate during the winter as roads become
icy and potholes proliferate. The U.S. Embassy in Sofia advises against
night driving because road conditions are more dangerous in the dark. Many
roads lack pavement markings and lights, and motorists often drive with dim
or missing headlights.
Heavy truck traffic along the two-lane routes from the Greek border at
Kulata to Sofia and from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo to Plovdiv
creates numerous hazards. Motorists should expect long delays at border
crossings. A U.S. state driver's license is not considered valid for
Bulgaria; only an international driver's license is accepted. Persons
operating vehicles with foreign license plates frequently complain of being
stopped by police and being fined on the spot for offenses that are not
clear.
Buses, trams, and trolleys are inexpensive but often crowded and of widely
varying quality. Passengers on the busiest lines have reported
pickpocketing, purse-slashing, and backside-pinching.
For specific information concerning Bulgaria driver's permits, vehicle
inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Bulgarian
National Tourist Organization.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
has assessed the Government of Bulgaria's Civil Aviation Authority as
Category One -- in compliance with the international aviation safety
standards for the oversight of Bulgarian air carrier operations.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of
Transportation at 1 (800) 322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at
http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official
providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on
specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.
CUSTOM'S REGULATIONS: Bulgarian customs laws and regulations are in a state
of flux. Currently, travelers carrying more than 10,000 United States
dollars must declare the amount of cash they are carrying on their customs
declaration. Travelers who have less than $10,000 when entering the
country, must have documents proving the source of their money if upon
departure they have with them more than $10,000. Travelers should also
declare jewelry, cameras, computers, and other valuables to avoid
difficulties on departure. Contact the Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington or
one of Bulgaria's consulates in the United States for specific information
regarding customs regulations.
Bulgaria's customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission
Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of
professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions
and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for
International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036,
issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional
information call (212) 354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or
visit http://www.uscib.org for details.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Bulgaria is still a largely cash economy. Visitors
should exchange cash at banks or Change Bureaus. Some Change Bureaus charge
commissions on both cash and travelers' check transactions which are not
clearly posted. People on the street who offer high rates of exchange are
confidence tricksters intent on swindling the unwary traveler. Old, dirty
or very worn denomination bank notes are often not accepted at banks or
Change Bureaus. Major branches of the following Bulgarian banks will cash
travelers' checks on the spot for Leva, the Bulgarian currency: Bulbank,
Bulgarian Postbank, Biochim, First Investment Bank and United Bulgarian
Bank (UBB). UBB also serves as a Western Union agent and provides direct
transfer of money to travelers in need. ATM cash machines are increasing in
numbers in Sofia and other major cities. Most shops, hotels and
restaurants, with the exception of the major hotels, still do not accept
travelers' checks or credit cards. Due to the potential of fraud and other
criminal activity credit cards and ATM's should be used with caution. On
July 5, 1999, the Lev was re-denominated at a rate of 1,000 old Leva to one
new Lev. For further information see the website of the Bulgarian National
Bank at http://www.bnb.bg.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children,
international parental child abduction, and international child support
enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at
http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.
Approximately 150 U.S. families per year adopt Bulgarian orphans. For more
information on international adoptions in Bulgaria, please contact the
Department of State's Office of Children's Issues, the Consular Section of
the Embassy, or the U.S. Embassy website at http://www.usis.bg.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATION: Americans living in or
visiting Bulgaria are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria and obtain updated information on travel and
security within Bulgaria. The U.S. Embassy is located in Sofia at 1 Saborna
(formerly 1 A. Stamboliyski Boulevard); tel. (359) (2) 980-5241; fax: (359)
(2) 981-8977. The Consular Section of the Embassy is located at 1 Kapitan
Andreev Street in Sofia; tel. (359) (2) 963-1391; fax (359) (2) 963-2859.
The Embassy's website address is http://www.usis.bg. Questions regarding
consular services may be directed to bgcons@hotmail.com.
*********
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 8, 1998, to update
the sections on Country Description, Entry Requirements, Crime Information,
Medical Facilities, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Aviation Safety
Oversight, and Registration and Embassy Location; to add sections on
Medical Insurance, Other Health Information, Customs Regulations, Criminal
Penalties, and Children's Issues. Also, to change the section Ground
Transportation to Traffic Safety and Road Conditions and the section on
Currency Regulations to Special Circumstances.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-3 CIA World Factbook on Bulgaria
(by CIA World Factbook, 1996), last updated: 19-Aug-1997
Location: 43 00 N, 25 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea,
between Romania and Turkey
Flag
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red;
the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been
removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a
red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first
Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and
Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: 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
border countries: 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
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Musala 2,925 m
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 34%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; 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, Climate Change,
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, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land
routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
People
Population: 8,612,757 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17% (male 769,025; female 732,119)
15-64 years: 68% (male 2,891,197; female 2,923,440)
65 years and over: 15% (male 561,944; female 735,032) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 8.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71 years
male: 67.07 years
female: 75.12 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bulgarian(s)
adjective: Bulgarian
Ethnic divisions: Bulgarian 85.3%, Turk 8.5%, Gypsy 2.6%, Macedonian 2.5%,
Armenian 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, other 0.6%
Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 85%, Muslim 13%, Jewish 0.8%, 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 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 97%
Government
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria
conventional short form: Bulgaria
Data code: BU
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Sofia
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Burgas,
Grad Sofiya, Khaskovo, Lovech, Montana, Plovdiv, Ruse, Sofiya, Varna
Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system with Soviet law influence; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zhelyu Mitev ZHELEV (since 1 August 1990, when he
was elected by the National Assembly); president and vice president elected
for five-year terms by popular vote; election last held NA January 1992
(next to be held NA 1997); results - Zhelyu ZHELEV elected by popular vote;
Vice President (vacant)
head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister)
Zhan VIDENOV (since 25 January 1995) appointed by the president; Deputy
Prime Ministers Doncho KONAKCHIEV (since 25 January 1995), Atanas PAPAKIZOV
(since NA), Rumen GECHEV (since 25 January 1995), Svetoslav SHIVAROV (since
25 January 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Narodno Sobranie): last held 18 December 1994 (next to
be held NA 1997); results - BSP 43.5%, UDF 24.2%, PU 6.5%, MRF 5.4%, BBB
4.7%; seats - (240 total) BSP 125, UDF 69, PU 18, MRF 15, BBB 13
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chairman appointed for a seven-year term by
the president; Constitutional Court, 12 justices appointed or elected for a
nine-year term
Political parties and leaders: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Zhan
VIDENOV, chairman; Union of Democratic Forces (UDF - an alliance of
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