columbia.edu!news-not-for-mail
Subject: soc.culture.bulgaria FAQ (monthly posting) (part 1/10)
Supersedes: <bg1_825555541@cs.columbia.edu>
Date: 4 Apr 1996 20:10:03 -0500
References: <bg0_828666593@cs.columbia.edu>
Summary: 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
        11 parts numbered from 0 to 10.

Last-Modified: January 28, 1996
Posting-Frequency: Monthly
Version: 4.01
Archive-Name: bulgaria-faq/part1




===============================================================================
SECTION  0:  INTRODUCTION

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-1 About this FAQ
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 103095

This list of frequently asked questions about Bulgaria is a collaborative
effort at creating a useful electronic reference document about Bulgaria.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-2 Disclaimers and Notes
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 103095

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of the information may be out of date, so please be careful and take everything 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.

I don't assume any responsibility for wrong information. 

This FAQ is available through anonymous ftp from shiva.cs.columbia.edu in 
the directory /BULGARIA Please read the answer to 1.2. for more information 
about this. 

In this site there is also a small archive of files which are related to soc
.culture.bulgaria but I didn't want to include in the FAQ. 

Some FAQ have pretty long answers. I have put those FAQ in separate files. 
Currently, they reside in the ftp site (see 5. above). 

I need suggestions as to what parts of the FAQ to keep, what parts to move 
to the ftp site and what new parts to include. 

Of course, 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 


This FAQ is available by mail server. You have to send mail to one of the 
following: 

  - mail-server@cs.ruu.nl (in Europe) the text of the mail should include the 
    following line: send news.answers/bulgaria-faq 

  - mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu (in North America) the text of the mail should 
    include the following line: send usenet/news.answers/bulgaria-faq 


The maintainer of this list is Dragomir R. Radev (radev@cs.columbia.edu) 

Any comments and corrections are more than welcome. So are contributions. 
Please help make the FAQ really helpful and interesting.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-3 Partial list of contributors
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 110395

This list will be expanded soon to include more names (many names of older
submission are not included now).

phyjgc@clust.hw.ac.uk                       Graham Crowder
r.hays@auntie.bbcnc.org.uk                  Rosa Hays
DONTCHEV@KATK.helsinki.fi                   Yulian Donchev
henze@hrz.uni-kassel.de                     Rolf Henze
vtodorov@astro.ocis.temple.edu              Val Todorov
mmintche@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca                Martin Mintchev
henryberry@aol.com                          Henry Berry
pp861592@oak.cats.ohiou.edu                 Plamen Petkov
veni@cit.bg                                 Veni Markovski
talev@access.digex.net                      Iliya Talev
K.R.Hauge@easteur-orient.uio.no             Kjetil Ra Hauge

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-4 How to get the FAQ from an FTP site 
(by Dragomir R. Radev), last updated: 041095

 
1. Type 'ftp shiva.cs.columbia.edu'
2. For login: type 'anonymous'
3. For password: type your e-mail address. For example: 'joe.doe@nowhere.bitnet'
4. Then enter 'cd BULGARIA'
5. Enter 'dir' to see a listing of the files currently available
6. Use 'mget :filename:' to get a given file
7. Use 'mget *' to get all files
8. After you're done, enter 'quit'

If you have problems with the above, please contact me at
radev@cs.columbia.edu
 



===============================================================================
SECTION  1:  THE SOC.CULTURE.BULGARIA NEWSGROUP

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-1 How was soc.culture.bulgaria created
(by Ivan Petrov), last updated: 123191

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. 



===============================================================================
SECTION  2:  GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BULGARIA

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-1 Bulgaria - Ancient and Young
(by Rossen Zlatev), last updated: 123191


    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 (4/1993)
(by US Department of State), last updated: 042993

Country Description:  Bulgaria is a moderately developed European 
nation undergoing profound political and economic changes.  
Impassioned debate, political rallies, and periods of strike 
activity are regular features of the scene.  They do not typically 
pose a threat to U.S. citizens.  Tourist facilities are not highly 
developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in 
other European countries are not yet available.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not 
required for tourist visits of less than 30 days.  An AIDS test is 
required for those staying more than one month for purposes of study 
or work; U.S. tests are not accepted.  For further information 
concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of 
the Republic of  Bulgaria at 1621 22nd Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20008, Tel: (202) 387-7969.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are limited.  Some 
medicines are in short supply.  Doctors and hospitals often expect 
immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance 
is not always valid outside the United States.  Travelers have found 
that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific 
overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  Further information on 
health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease 
Control's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Crime Information:  Bulgaria has a low rate of violent crime.  
Recently, however, street crime has increased, especially at night 
near major hotels and restaurants.  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.  The Department of State's 
pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Eastern 
Europe" are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.  They provide 
information on travel to the region and protecting personal security 
while traveling abroad.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the 
country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, 
or dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can 
expect jail sentences and fines.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section 
of the U.S. Embassy can obtain updated information on travel and 
security within Bulgaria.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, is located 
at 1 Suborna (formerly 1 A. Stamboliski Boulevard); telephone 
(359-2) 88-48-01 to -05.  The Consular Section of the Embassy is 
located at 1 Kapitan Andreev Street in Sofia; telephone numbers are 
the same.

 No. 93-067

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 7, 1992, 
to give the new address of the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, and 
to add information on reporting the loss or theft abroad of a U.S. 
passport.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-3 Bulgaria - consular information sheet (1/1994)
(by US Department of State), last updated: 011994

Country Description:  Bulgaria is a moderately developed European 
nation undergoing profound political and economic changes.  Tourist 
facilities are widely available, but conditions vary considerably 
and some facilities are 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 tourist or business visits of less than 30 days.  An 
AIDS test may be required for those staying more than one month; 
U.S. tests are not accepted.  All visitors to Bulgaria must register 
with the police, a hotel or a guest house within 48 hours of 
arrival.  For further information concerning entry requirements, 
travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of  Bulgaria at 
1621 22nd Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 387-7969; 
Consular Section is (202) 483-5885.

Medical Facilities:  Although Bulgarian physicians are trained to a 
very high standard, hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped 
and maintained at U.S. or West European levels.  Basic medical 
supplies are widely available, but specialized treatments may not 
be.  Visitors must pay cash for medical and health services.  U.S. 
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical 
insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  
Further information on health matters can be obtained from the 
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at 
(404) 332-4559.

Crime Information:  There has been a recent rise in street crime, 
much of which is directed against foreigners.  Pickpocketing and 
purse snatching are frequent occurrences as is theft from 
automobiles, where thieves smash windows to remove valuables left in 
sight.  There have been a number of incidents in which tourists have 
accepted offers of "help from friendly people" met by chance at the 
airport, bus stations or train stations and have been drugged or 
assaulted and robbed.  Taxi drivers at Sofia Airport are notoriously 
dishonest and refuse to run their meters.  Travelers who insist upon 
a pre-agreed fare can avoid the more outrageous overcharging.  
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.

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.  The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" 
is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.  It provides information on 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad.

Currency Regulations:  Bulgaria is largely a cash economy.  Most 
shops, hotels and restaurants still do not accept travelers checks 
or credit cards.  Visitors can exchange money at change bureaus.  
People on the street who offer high rates of exchange are confidence 
tricksters intent on swindling the unwary travelers.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the 
country in which they are traveling.  Persons convicted of 
possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are subject to 
imprisonment and fines.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section 
of the U.S. Embassy can obtain updated information on travel and 
security within Bulgaria.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, is located 
at 1 Suborna (formerly 1 A. Stamboliski Boulevard); telephone 
(359-2) 88-48-01 to -05.  This is also the after hours number for 
emergencies.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at 1 Kapitan 
Andreev Street in Sofia; telephone (359-2) 65-94-59.

 No. 94-007

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 29, 1993, 
to provide updated information on entry requirements, currency 
regulations and crime.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-4 Bulgaria - consular information sheet (9/1994)
(by US Department of State), last updated: 090294

Country Description:  Bulgaria is a moderately developed European 
nation undergoing profound political and economic changes.  Tourist 
facilities are widely available, but conditions vary considerably 
and some facilities are 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 tourist or business visits of less than 30 days.  An 
AIDS test may be required for those staying more than one month; 
U.S. tests are not accepted.  All visitors to Bulgaria must register 
with the police, a hotel or a guest house within 48 hours of 
arrival.  For further information concerning entry requirements, 
travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of  Bulgaria at 
1621 22nd Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 387-7969; 
Consular Section is (202) 483-5885.

Medical Facilities:  Although Bulgarian physicians are trained to a 
very high standard, hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped 
and maintained at U.S. or West European levels.  Basic medical 
supplies are widely available, but specialized treatments may not 
be.  Visitors must pay cash for medical and health services.  U.S. 
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical 
insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  
Further information on health matters can be obtained from the 
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at 
(404) 332-4559.

Crime Information:  There has been a recent rise in street crime, 
much of which is directed against foreigners.  Pickpocketing and 
purse snatching are frequent occurrences as is theft from 
automobiles, where thieves smash windows to remove valuables left in 
sight.  There have been a number of incidents in which tourists have 
accepted offers of "help from friendly people" met by chance at the 
airport, bus stations or train stations and have been drugged or 
assaulted and robbed.  Taxi drivers at Sofia Airport are notoriously 
dishonest and refuse to run their meters.  Travelers who insist upon 
a pre-agreed fare can avoid the more outrageous overcharging.  
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.

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.  The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" 
is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.  It provides information on 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad.

Currency Regulations:  Bulgaria is largely a cash economy.  Most 
shops, hotels and restaurants still do not accept travelers checks 
or credit cards.  Visitors can exchange money at change bureaus.  
People on the street who offer high rates of exchange are confidence 
tricksters intent on swindling the unwary travelers.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the 
country in which they are traveling.  Persons convicted of 
possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are subject to 
imprisonment and fines.

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In November 1992, the U.S. Federal 
Aviation Administration assessed Bulgaria's civil aviation authority 
as in compliance with international aviation safety oversight 
standards for Bulgaria's carriers operating to and from the U.S.  
The same level of safety oversight would typically be applied to 
operations to other destinations.  For further information, 
travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 
1-800-322-7873.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section 
of the U.S. Embassy can obtain updated information on travel and 
security within Bulgaria.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, is located 
at 1 Suborna (formerly 1 A. Stamboliski Boulevard); telephone 
(359-2) 88-48-01 to -05.  This is also the after hours number for 
emergencies.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at 1 Kapitan 
Andreev Street in Sofia; telephone (359-2) 65-94-59.

 No. 94-182

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 19, 
1994, to add the paragraph on aviation oversight.





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-5 CIA World Factbook on Bulgaria 
(by CIA World Factbook, 1995), last updated: 103095


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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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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)

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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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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2-6 Country report on Bulgaria
(by Jivko Kolchev), last updated: 103195

Bulgaria
Capital:  Sofia
Area:  110,987 square kilometers
Population:  8.9 million (1992)
GNP:  $16.5 billion (1992)
Bilateral Trade Treaty/MFN:  yes
Bilateral Investment Treaty:  not yet ratified
GSP:  yes
U.S. Export-Import Bank:  TCID only
OPIC Agreement:  yes
TDA:  yes
GATT:  pending
IMF/World Bank:  yes
EBRD:  yes

The United States and Bulgaria signed a bilateral trade agreement in April
1991, and a bilateral investment treaty is in the process of being ratified.
The latter will assure American investors of national treatment guarantees,
as well as the services of an ombudsman office to facilitate joint ventures.
Bulgaria became a GSP beneficiary in December 1991, and most-favored-nation
status went into effect in November 1991.

U.S.-Bulgaria trade has slowed significantly due primarily to Bulgaria's
persistent shortages of foreign exchange.  However, economic reforms signal
significant trade potential.  The country offers several advantages,
including a highly skilled labor force, an established distribution network
with an extensive trucking industry, and an established (although antiquated)
base for the electronics and computer sectors.


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2-7 State System 
(by Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission), last updated: 

Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic. According to the Constitution, which 
was adopted in July 1991, the entire power of the state shall derive from the 
people and shall be exerted directly and through the bodies established by the 
Constitution. The Constitution proclaims pluralism of political views and 
freedom of religion. 
The supreme legislative body in the country is the National Assembly (Narodno
Sqbranie - Bulgarian Parliament), which exercises parliamentary control
over the government. 
The President is the Head of State. He is elected through direct and secret 
ballot for a five-year term of office, and he personifies the unity of the 
nation. 
The Council of Ministers is the supreme executive body for home and foreign 
affairs. 
The territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is divided into nine administrative
regions and smaller municipalities. The municipality is the primary terri- 
torial administrative unit, being a legal entity where local
self-government is  exercised through a municipal council elected by the
respective local community population for a for-year term of office. 


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-8 Temperatures 
(by Plamen Bliznakov), last updated: 040694

Bulgaria offers a lot of sunshine.  The climate is continental with four
seasons and a Mediterranean influence in its southern regions.  Although
the Black Sea coast has mild winters, there is excellent snow for winter
sports in the mountains.

The winter temperature varies between -5 deg Celsius and +5 deg Celsius
(+20 deg F to +40 deg F).  The average summer temperatures are between
+20 deg Celsius and +30 deg Celsius (+68 deg F to +86 deg F).  Bring
warm clothing in winter (especially, if you go to the mountains) and
light clothing in summer.


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2-9 Bulgarian Clothing
(by Rossen Zlatev), last updated: 123191


    Bulgarian folk clothes are very colorful and nice. Both women and
men wear white shirts with an embroidered bodice and skirts, richly
ornamented as well. The types of folk clothes vary according the region
and some times are very different, as though from different countries. The
clothes are so colorful and pretty that it seems they reflect all
the colors of nature. It is not possible to describe, it can only be
seen.
    It is not possible to see people wearing traditional clothes in
the streets, as with kimonos in Japan. Bulgarians wear modern dress,
which are quite the same as anywhere in Europe. But there are a lot of
Folklore schools that study and preserve national traditions - dances,
clothes and folk music. When speaking about folklore clothes it is not
possible not to mention Bulgarian folk dances and music. Mountain
Rodopa, known as a birthplace of Orpheus, is one of the numerous regions
in which traditional folk music can be heard. On the "Voyager" satellite,
sent to another possible civilization, one of the messages included was
a song from this mountain. Maybe the variety of the Bulgarian folk is one
of the explanations of Bulgarian voice magic. A large number of world's
famous opera singers, instrumentalists and choirs have popularized
the power and beauty of Bulgarian performing art.
 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-10 Bulgarian Architecture
(by Rossen Zlatev), last updated: 123191


    During the Ottoman rule the influence of European architecture was
weak. For this reason it is not possible to find big buildings
with architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. Instead of that there are a
lot of houses and small towns that keep the original beauty of
the Bulgarian National Revival (18-19 centuries). One of the most famous is
Plovdiv's Old Town. Behind stone walls and wrought iron gates along the
steep cobbled streets are lovely gardens with flowers and
symmetrical houses with colorful painted facades, bay and lattice
windows. Lovely carved ceilings, murals and exquisite furniture adorn
the interiors. Many of these houses are now museums, others are folk-style
restaurants, and the remainder are inhabited.
    Monuments, buildings and archaeological excavations from different
times can be found all over the country. Here are some of them: Varna's
ancient necropolis which revealed proofs of the first European civilization
and the world's oldest gold dated to 4600-4200 B.C.; The Kazanluk Thracian
Cupol Tomb dated to the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 3rd century
B.C., containing unique murals - the only surviving monuments of Hellenic
painting, included in the List of World Cultural Heritage.; A Roman
Amphitheater from the 2nd century - the biggest one in the Balkan Peninsula
outside of Greece; The Rila Monastery founded in 9th century - the biggest
monum of Bulgarian Architecture from that time; Kotel and Zeravna - two
villages in the Balkan mountain that have saved their original architecture
from the National Revival. The spirit of these villages can not be
described, it can only be seen and experienced.
    Apart from the old buildings, there are a large number of modern resorts
at the Black Sea's beach and mountains. They have a different modern
architecture that provide a good holiday time and refuge from the noise
of the 20th century.
 
 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-11 Who are the Slavs 
(by Harry Tsamaidis), last updated: 073194

From: htsa1@CFS02.cc.monash.edu.au (HARRY TSAMAIDIS)

SLAVS

are any of several groups of peoples, most of whom live in
Eastern Europe.  There are about 275million Slavs.  They
speak similar languages, called the Slavic or Slavonic
Languages.

The first Slavs lived over 5,000 years ago in a region
that now forms part of the northwestern Ukraine and 
southeastern Poland.  From A.D. 200 to 500, they migrated
to other parts of Europe.  Some Slavs settled in what are
now the western Soviet Union and eastern and central Europe.
Other Slavs migrated to the region of southeastern Europe
known as the Balkans.

During the 800's, the Slavs established the Great Moravian
Empire, which united the peoples of central Europe for the
first time.  In 906, the empire was conquered by the Magyars,
the ancestors of the Hungarians.  Since then, the Slavs have
been ruled by many foreign powers, including the Byzantine
Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, Austria-Hungary, and Germany.

In 1918, after World War I ended, the Slavs established such
independant states as Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Former
Yugoslavia.  Germany conquered these Slavic states during
World War II (1939-1945).  
Today, the Soviet Union dominates most of the Slavic peoples.
In eastern Europe, only the Slavs of Former Yugoslavia; and 
Greece are free of Soviet rule.

Historians classify the Slavs into three main groups-
(1) eastern, (2) western, and (3) southern - based on the 
regions in which these people live.

Eastern Slavs
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
consist of the Byelorussions, or White Russians; the Russians, 
or Great Russians; and the Ukrainians, or Little Russians.
The eastern Slavs were strongly influenced by the culture of the
Byzantine Empire.  About A.D. 988, the ruler of the Russian Slavs,
Grand Prince Vladimir I, married a Byzantine princess and became
a Christian.  As a result, most of the people under his rule also
turned to Christianity.  Today, many eastern Slavs belong to 
Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Western Slavs
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
form a group that includes the Czechs; the Slovaks; the Poles; and the
Wends, who also are known as Sorbs or Lusatians.  The Wends live in
East Germany.  During the 800's, two Greek monks, named Cyril
and Methodius, converted many western Slavs to Christianity.
At that time, church services were held in Greek or Latin, which
few people could understand.  But Cyril and Methodius held services
in the language of the Slavs, called Old Church Slavonic.

As the western Slavs became involved in the affairs of western Europe, 
they also became influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.  Through the
Centuries, the Catholic Church has strongly influenced western
European Culture.  Today, most western Slavs are Roman Catholics.

Southern Slavs
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
are a group composed of the Bulgarians, the Croats, the Macedonians, 
the Serbs, and the Slovenes.  During the 800's, a large number of 
southern Slavs were converted to Christianity by followers of Cyril
and Methodius.  However, these Slaves were also strongly influenced
by the Byzantine culture.  Today, the majority of southern Slavs
belong to Eastern Orthodox Churches.  Most members of the group
live in the Balkans.

SERBIA

is the largest of the six republics of Yugoslavia.  Serbia covers
about 34,116 square miles (88,361 square kilometres) in eastern
Yugoslavia.  It includes the independant provinces of Kosovo and 
Vojvodina.  Serbia has a population of about 9,306,000.  Belgrade,
its largest city, is the capital of Yugoslavia.

Land.
^^^^^
A number of Rivers flow through Serbia.  They include the Danube,
Yugoslavia's major waterway, which flows southeast to the Black Sea.
The Morava River flows north through the hills of southern and central
Serbia and then empties into the Danube.  Mountains rise on Serbia's 
eastern and western borders.  Serbia has deposits of coal, copper,
lead, and zinc.

People
^^^^^^
More than 70 per cent of Serbia's people are Serbs.  Other groups
include Albanians, Croats, Hungarians, and Slovenes.  Most of the 
people belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church or are Muslims.
Serbo-Croatian is the principal Language.  But the Serbs use the 
Cyrillic alphabet, and the Croats use the Roman alphabet.
Serbs frequently eat grilled meat, thick soups, goat cheese, and
spicy salads.   They also like thick, sweet Turkish coffee and plum
brandy.

Economy
^^^^^^^
Serbia's best farmland lies in the northern province of Vojvodina 
and in Sumadija, an area south of Belgrade.  Farmers grow cereal
grains, fruits, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, and tobacco.
They raise cattle, hogs, and sheep.  Industrialization has developed
rapidly in Serbia since the mid-1940's. Products made in Serbia
include chemicals, electrical products, and textiles.

History
^^^^^^^
During the A.D. 600's, various groups of Slavs, including the 
ancestors of the Serbs, settled in the center of the Balkan Peninsula.
Each tribe had its own leader until the late 1100's, when Stephen
Nemanja, a warrior and chief, formed the first united Serbian state.
During the 1300's, King Stephen Dusan led the country in successful
wars against the Byzantine Empire.  The Serbian kingdom began to
break up after his death in 1355.  The Ottoman Turks conquered Serbia
in the battle of Kosovo in 1389.

The Ottoman Empire ruled Serbia for nearly 500 years, but the Serbs
never lost their national pride.  George Petrovic, a Serbian peasant
who was nicknamed Black George, led an uprising against the Turks in 
1804.  Another Serbian peasant leader Milos Obrenovic, led a second
revolt in 1815.  The Serbs won some liberties in these struggles. 
Serbia regained independance in 1878, following the Ottoman Empire's
defeat by Russia.  In the Balkan Wars (1912-13), Serbia and other
Balkan countries gained control of almost all of the empire's 
possessions in Europe.

During the early 1900's, various economic and political conflicts 
developed between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. In June 1914, the heir
to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, was
assassinated by Gavilro Princip, a Serbian patriot from the province
of Bosnia in Austria-Hungary.  World War I began a month later when
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.  After the war ended in 
1918, Serbia helped form the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
This kingdom became Yugoslavia in 1929.  Following the end of
World War II in 1945, Serbia became one of the republics of the
Federal State of Yugoslavia.
During the 1960's and 1970's, regional pride led to quarrels
between Serbia and other Yugoslav republics.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-12 Who are the Pomaks 
(by Roumi Radenska), last updated: 073194

WHO ARE THE POMAKS?


'Pomaks' is the name of pretty large group of people who live
mainly in Rhodopi mountains (southern Bulgaria, close to the
border with Greece). They have muslim names and speak very
ancient bulgarian language (bulgarian belongs to the group of
slavic languages). Their ancestors were slavic christian people
who accepted muslim religion. This fact took place in 16th and
17th centuries. There were several ways to become muslim that
time, when Bulgaria like all Balkan peninsula, was part of the
Ottoman empire. But most common paths to islamiztion were:

1. Through marriages. This way was valid for a number of
bulgarian women.

2. Voluntary islamization. Main reason for that was escaping a
lot of taxes.

3. Forced islamization. The largest amount of 'pomaks' became
muslims that way. There are well known several ottoman actions
for islamiztion of bulgarians living in Rhodopi mountain during
17th century. Here is coming the question: why ottomans forced
the people living in that region only to accept the muslim faith?
One of the explanations is: Rhodopi mountains were a huge hunting
field for the sultan, his family and large number of his people.
They needed to be served during their stay there (some times for
months). According to their believes they have to be served only
by muslims. That's why ottomans forced the large amount of
bulgarian population in Rhodops to accept the islam. 

How we know about that fact? Ottoman empire had excellent
organized tax system. All taxpayers were registered in books,
their land or other property described in order to determine the
taxes. Naming the taxpayers ottomans used identification on first
name of the person and the name of his father. For example:
Khasan, son of Ivan. Khasan is muslim name, but Ivan is slavonic,
christian name.  This is the way we know that 'pomaks' used to be
slavic christian people before they became muslims. A lot of
books from all 500 years of ottoman rule over Bulgaria containing
data about taxes and taxpayers are saved in archives in Sofia,
Burgas, Istanbul.   

'Pomaks' were pretty isolated from the rest of the bulgarian
society for centuries. They saved that old bulgarian language and
some old customs which took place before 17th century. About 20
years ago, in the beginning of 1970s, the ethnography professor
Ivan Koev from Sofia University lead a student expedition to
pomak region called 'Chech'. They did research on language,
crafts and customs in that area. I visited the village of
Sarnitza entirely populated by pomaks in 1983. My impressions of
that visit are still fresh. All the houses were new two stories
brick buildings. Many families had cars. A lot of children were
playing in the yards dressed with snow white shirts. It was such
a peaceful picture and all the past seemed to be forgotten.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-13 Where to buy Bulgarian Flags
(by The Flag Guys), last updated: 091795

We have a 3x5 foot Bulgarian flag.  If interested in getting one, email 
vrla@teleport.com for the info.
The Flag Guys
5636 N Delaware, Portland, OR 97217-4206 USA
voice (503) 289-7158, fax (503) 286-0236, vrla@teleport.com



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-14 Salaries in 1995 (in Bulgarian)
(by Julian Dontchev), last updated: 120495

Sredni mesechni brutni rabotni zaplati v otrasli i deinosti,
finansirani ot obshtinskite bjudzheti (esen 1995):

 1. Zdraveopazvane:            5462 BGL
 2. Obrazovanie:               5127 BGL
 3. Kultura:                   4904 BGL
 4. Sotsialni grizhi:          5342 BGL
 5. Pravosadie:                9722 BGL
 6. Tsentralno Upravlenie:    12305 BGL
 7. Finansovo ministerstvo:    9122 BGL
 8. Minist. na ikonomikata:    9428 BGL
 9. Energetika:                5535 BGL

Iztochnik: v-k Kontinent


-- 
Dragomir R. Radev                                 Graduate Research Assistant
Natural Language Processing Group           Columbia University CS Department
Home: 212-749-9770  Office: 212-939-7121    http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~radev
-- 
Dragomir R. Radev                                 Graduate Research Assistant
Natural Language Processing Group           Columbia University CS Department
Home: 212-749-9770  Office: 212-939-7121    http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~radev
