2011 Edition

Background

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Area

110,879 sq km 108,489 sq km 2,390 sq km

total

110,879 sq km

water

2,390 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Tennessee

Climate

temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Coastline

354 km

Elevation extremes

Black Sea 0 m Musala 2,925 m

highest point

Musala 2,925 m

lowest point

Black Sea 0 m

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

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%) 895 cu m/yr (2003)

per capita

895 cu m/yr (2003)

total

6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%)

Geographic coordinates

43 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia

Irrigated land

1,020 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,808 km Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km

border countries

Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km

total

1,808 km

Land use

29.94% 1.9% 68.16% (2005)

arable land

29.94%

other

68.16% (2005)

permanent crops

1.9%

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; landslides

Natural resources

bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land

Terrain

mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast

Total renewable water resources

19.4 cu km (2005)

Age structure

13.9% (male 506,403/female 480,935) 67.9% (male 2,367,680/female 2,446,799) 18.2% (male 522,343/female 769,475) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

13.9% (male 506,403/female 480,935)

15-64 years

67.9% (male 2,367,680/female 2,446,799)

65 years and over

18.2% (male 522,343/female 769,475) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

9.32 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.6% (2004)

Death rate

14.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census)

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,800 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

6.49 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

16.68 deaths/1,000 live births 19.93 deaths/1,000 live births 13.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

13.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

16.68 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bulgarian (official) 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth

73.59 years 69.99 years 77.41 years (2011 est.)

female

77.41 years (2011 est.)

total population

73.59 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.2% 98.7% 97.7% (2001 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.7% (2001 census)

male

98.7%

total population

98.2%

Major cities - population

SOFIA (capital) 1.192 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

13 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

41.9 years 39.6 years 44 years (2011 est.)

female

44 years (2011 est.)

male

39.6 years

total

41.9 years

Nationality

Bulgarian(s) Bulgarian

adjective

Bulgarian

noun

Bulgarian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

12.4% (2001)

Physicians density

3.635 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

7,093,635 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.781% (2011 est.)

Religions

Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2008)

female

14 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.68 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.42 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.1% 17.8% 13.7% (2009)

female

13.7% (2009)

total

16.1%

Urbanization

71% of total population (2010) -0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

71% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya (Sofia), Sofiya-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol

Capital

Sofia 42 41 N, 23 19 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

42 41 N, 23 19 E

name

Sofia

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 12 July 1991

Country name

Republic of Bulgaria Bulgaria Republika Balgariya Balgariya

conventional long form

Republic of Bulgaria

conventional short form

Bulgaria

local long form

Republika Balgariya

local short form

Balgariya

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador James B. WARLICK, Jr 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407 American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 [359] (2) 937-5100 [359] (2) 937-5320

chief of mission

Ambassador James B. WARLICK, Jr

embassy

16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407

FAX

[359] (2) 937-5320

mailing address

American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740

telephone

[359] (2) 937-5100

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Elena POPTODOROVA 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-0174 [1] (202) 234-7973 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Elena POPTODOROVA

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 234-7973

telephone

[1] (202) 387-0174

Executive branch

President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV (since 27 July 2009) Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 and 30 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly Rosen PLEVNELIEV elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Rosen PLEVNELIEV 52.6%, Ivailo KALFIN 47.4%; Boyko BORISSOV elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 162 to 77 with 1 abstention; note - Rosen PLEVNELIEV is scheduled to take office on 22 January 2012

cabinet

Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly

chief of state

President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)

election results

Rosen PLEVNELIEV elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Rosen PLEVNELIEV 52.6%, Ivailo KALFIN 47.4%; Boyko BORISSOV elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 162 to 77 with 1 abstention; note - Rosen PLEVNELIEV is scheduled to take office on 22 January 2012

elections

president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 and 30 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV (since 27 July 2009)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 members, half of whom are elected by the National Assembly and the other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases (the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions (the Supreme Administrative Court)

Legal system

civil law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 5 July 2009 (next to be held in mid-2013) percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%, MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%; seats by party - GERB 117, BSP 40, MRF 37, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition 15, RZS 8, independents 2

election results

percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%, MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%; seats by party - GERB 117, BSP 40, MRF 37, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition 15, RZS 8, independents 2

elections

last held on 5 July 2009 (next to be held in mid-2013)

National anthem

"Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland) Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV adopted 1964; the anthem was composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War

lyrics/music

Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV

name

"Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Agrarian National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; National Union Attack (Ataka) [Volen SIDEROV]; Blue Coalition [Ivan KOSTOV and Martin DIMITROV] (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB); Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Boyko BORISSOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB [Sergei STANISHEV] (coalition of parties dominated by BSP); Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Gergyovden [Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative for Democratic European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Hristina HRISTOVA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Order, Law, Justice or RZS [Yane YANEV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Martin DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas

other

numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock

Budget

$16.16 billion $18.07 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$18.07 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$16.16 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

20% (31 December 2010 est.) 0.55% (31 December 2009 est.) Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has had no independent monetary policy since the introduction of the Currency Board regime in 1997; this is BNB's base interest rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.144% (31 December 2010 est.) 11.335% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$578.9 million (2010 est.) -$4.267 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$53.48 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $38.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.3 (2007) 26 (2001)

Economy - overview

Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, averaged more than 6% annual growth from 2004 to 2008, driven by significant amounts of foreign direct investment and consumption. Successive governments have demonstrated a commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but the global downturn sharply reduced domestic demand, exports, capital inflows, and industrial production. GDP contracted by approximately 5% in 2009, and stagnated in 2010, despite a significant recovery in exports. The economy is expected to grow modestly in 2011, however. Corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges.

Electricity - consumption

28.3 billion kWh (2009)

Electricity - exports

7.735 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

5.073 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

4.309 billion kWh (2009)

Exchange rates

leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.5138 (2010) 1.404 (2009) 1.3171 (2008) 1.4366 (2007) 1.5576 (2006)

Exports

$20.64 billion (2010 est.) $16.41 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels

Exports - partners

Germany 10.9%, Italy 9.9%, Romania 9.5%, Greece 8.1%, Turkey 7.9%, France 4.1% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

5.3% 30.1% 64.6% (2010 est.)

agriculture

5.3%

industry

30.1%

services

64.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,500 (2010 est.) $13,400 (2009 est.) $14,100 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.2% (2010 est.) -5.5% (2009 est.) 6.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$47.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$96.78 billion (2010 est.) $96.63 billion (2009 est.) $102.2 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 35.2% (2007)

highest 10%

35.2% (2007)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$23.86 billion (2010 est.) $22.2 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials

Imports - partners

Russia 16.3%, Germany 11.8%, Italy 7.5%, Romania 7.1%, Greece 6%, Turkey 5.2%, Ukraine 4.2% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

2.1% (2010 est.)

Industries

electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (2010 est.) 2.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.499 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

7.1% 35.2% 57.7% (2009)

agriculture

7.1%

industry

35.2%

services

57.7% (2009)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$7.276 billion (31 December 2010) $7.103 billion (31 December 2009) $8.858 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

2.62 billion cu m (2010)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010)

Natural gas - imports

2.48 billion cu m (2010)

Natural gas - production

54 million cu m (2010)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

91,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

75,840 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

201,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

2,925 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

15 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

21.8% (2008)

Public debt

16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) 14.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$17.23 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $18.53 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$35.37 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $35.07 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$957.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) $1.194 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$51.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $49.28 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$33.48 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $34.88 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of narrow money

$12.48 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $13.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.5% (2010 est.) 7.6% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

4 national terrestrial television stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately-owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas (2010)

Internet country code

.bg

Internet hosts

785,546 (2010)

Internet users

3.395 million (2009)

Telephone system

inherited an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network from the Soviet era; quality has improved with a modern digital trunk line now connecting switching centers in most of the regions; remaining areas are connected by digital microwave radio relay the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 in an effort to upgrade fixed-line services; mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, has reached 150 telephones per 100 persons country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2009)

domestic

the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 in an effort to upgrade fixed-line services; mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, has reached 150 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

inherited an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network from the Soviet era; quality has improved with a modern digital trunk line now connecting switching centers in most of the regions; remaining areas are connected by digital microwave radio relay

international

country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.2 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.585 million (2010)

Airports

210 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

96 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

15

2,438 to 3,047 m

17

over 3,047 m

2

total

130

under 914 m

96 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

73 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

80

under 914 m

73 (2010)

Heliports

3 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 16, cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 27 (Germany 25, Russia 2) 31 (Comoros 8, Malta 7, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10) (2010)

foreign-owned

27 (Germany 25, Russia 2)

registered in other countries

31 (Comoros 8, Malta 7, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10) (2010)

total

37

Pipelines

gas 2,844 km; oil 346 km; refined products 156 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Burgas, Varna

Railways

4,151 km 4,071 km 1.435-m gauge (2,831 km electrified) 80 km 0.760-m gauge (2009)

narrow gauge

80 km 0.760-m gauge (2009)

total

4,151 km

Roadways

40,231 km 39,587 km (includes 418 km of expressways) 644 km (2008)

total

40,231 km

unpaved

644 km (2008)

Waterways

470 km (2009)

Manpower available for military service

1,637,470 1,621,352 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,621,352 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,637,470

Manpower fit for military service

1,320,955 1,337,616 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,337,616 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,320,955

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

33,444 32,075 (2010 est.)

female

32,075 (2010 est.)

male

33,444

Military branches

Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2011)

Bulgarian Armed Forces

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2011)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in January 2008; service obligation 6-9 months (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008)