2013 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)

6.12 cu km/yr (16%/68%/16%) 821.8 cu m/yr (2009)

per capita

821.8 cu m/yr (2009)

total

6.12 cu km/yr (16%/68%/16%)

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

1,046 sq km (2007)

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

29.28% 1.44% 69.28% (2011)

arable land

29.28%

other

69.28% (2011)

permanent crops

1.44%

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

21.3 cu km (2011)

Age structure

14.2% (male 506,968/female 481,962) 10.5% (male 377,834/female 357,546) 42.3% (male 1,467,339/female 1,486,062) 14.1% (male 454,728/female 528,650) 18.9% (male 532,084/female 788,469) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

14.2% (male 506,968/female 481,962)

15-24 years

10.5% (male 377,834/female 357,546)

25-54 years

42.3% (male 1,467,339/female 1,486,062)

55-64 years

14.1% (male 454,728/female 528,650)

65 years and over

18.9% (male 532,084/female 788,469) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

9.07 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.6% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

69.2% percent of women age 20-49 (2007)

Death rate

14.31 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

49.2 % 20.4 % 28.8 % 3.5 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

28.8 %

potential support ratio

3.5 (2013)

total dependency ratio

49.2 %

youth dependency ratio

20.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Bulgarian 76.9%, Turk 8%, Roma 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian), other (unknown) 10% (2011 census)

Health expenditures

7.6% of GDP (2010)

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

6.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

15.6 deaths/1,000 live births 18.67 deaths/1,000 live births 12.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

12.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

15.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Roma 3.8%, other 0.7%, other (unknown) 10.5% (2011 census)

Life expectancy at birth

74.08 years 70.49 years 77.89 years (2013 est.)

female

77.89 years (2013 est.)

total population

74.08 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.4% 98.7% 98% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98% (2011 est.)

male

98.7%

total population

98.4%

Major urban areas - population

SOFIA (capital) 1.174 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

11 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

42.3 years 40 years 44.4 years (2013 est.)

female

44.4 years (2013 est.)

male

40 years

total

42.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.2 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Bulgarian(s) Bulgarian

adjective

Bulgarian

noun

Bulgarian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.7% (2008)

Physicians density

3.76 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

6,981,642 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.81% (2013 est.)

Religions

Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim (Sunni) 7.4%, Muslim (Shia) 0.4%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Judaism) 1.7%, other (unknown) 27.4%, none 3.7% (2011 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2010)

female

14 years (2010)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.86 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 (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.43 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

26.6% 27.6% 25.2% (2011)

female

25.2% (2011)

total

26.6%

Urbanization

73.1% of total population (2011) 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

73.1% of total population (2011)

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

several previous; latest drafted between late 1990 and early 1991, adopted 12 July 1991; amended several times, last in 2007 (2007)

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 Marcie B. RIES (since 5 September 2012) 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408 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 Marcie B. RIES (since 5 September 2012)

embassy

16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408

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 (since 4 August 2010) 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 (since 4 August 2010)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 234-7973

telephone

[1] (202) 387-0174

Executive branch

President Rosen PLEVNELIEV (since 22 January 2012); Vice President Margarita POPOVA (since 22 January 2012) Prime Minister Plamen ORESHARSKI (since 29 May 2013) Deputy Prime Ministers Zinaida ZLATANOVA (since 29 May 2013) and Tsvetlin YOVCHEV (since June 2013) 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%; Plamen ORESHARSKI elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 120 to 97

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Rosen PLEVNELIEV (since 22 January 2012); Vice President Margarita POPOVA (since 22 January 2012)

election results

Rosen PLEVNELIEV elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Rosen PLEVNELIEV 52.6%, Ivailo KALFIN 47.4%; Plamen ORESHARSKI elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 120 to 97

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 Plamen ORESHARSKI (since 29 May 2013) Deputy Prime Ministers Zinaida ZLATANOVA (since 29 May 2013) and Tsvetlin YOVCHEV (since June 2013)

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and approximately 72 judges organized into penal, civil, and commercial colleges); Supreme Administrative Court (organized in 2 colleges with various panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 justices); note - Constitutional Court resides outside the Judiciary Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative judges elected by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (consists of 25 members with extensive legal experience) and appointed by the president; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly and appointed by the president and the SJC; justices appointed for 9-year terms with renewal of four justices every 3 years appeals courts; regional and district courts; administrative courts; courts martial

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and approximately 72 judges organized into penal, civil, and commercial colleges); Supreme Administrative Court (organized in 2 colleges with various panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 justices); note - Constitutional Court resides outside the Judiciary

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative judges elected by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (consists of 25 members with extensive legal experience) and appointed by the president; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly and appointed by the president and the SJC; justices appointed for 9-year terms with renewal of four justices every 3 years

subordinate courts

appeals courts; regional and district courts; administrative courts; courts martial

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 12 May 2013 (next to be held spring 2017) percent of vote by party - GERB 30.5%, BSP 26.6%, MRF 11.3%, Ataka 7.3%; seats by party - GERB 98, BSP 86, MRF 33, Ataka 23

election results

percent of vote by party - GERB 30.5%, BSP 26.6%, MRF 11.3%, Ataka 7.3%; seats by party - GERB 98, BSP 86, MRF 33, Ataka 23

elections

last held on 12 May 2013 (next to be held spring 2017)

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

Attack (Ataka) [Volen Nikolov SIDEROV] Blue Coalition [Ivan KOSTOV and Martin DIMITROV] (a parliamentary coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB) Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV] Bulgaria of the Citizens [Meglena KUNEVA] Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Boyko BORISOV] Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB [Sergei STANISHEV] (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV] Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Lyutvi MESTAN] National Movement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Hristina HRISTOVA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2) Order, Law, and Justice or RZS [Yane YANEV] Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Emil KABAIVANOV] United People's Party or ENP [Maria CAPONE]

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

$18.05 billion $18.28 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$18.28 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$18.05 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.03% (31 December 2012 est.) 0.22% (31 December 2011 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

9.72% (31 December 2012 est.) 10.63% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-669.5 million (2012 est.) $46.07 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$36.52 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $39.93 billion (31 December 2011 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 bank lending, consumption, and foreign direct investment. 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 5.5% in 2009, stagnated in 2010, despite a significant recovery in exports, grew 1.7% in 2011, and 1% in 2012. Despite having a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects.

Exchange rates

leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.52 (2012 est.) 1.41 (2011 est.) 1.48 (2010 est.) 1.4 (2009) 1.32 (2008)

Exports

$26.7 billion (2012 est.) $28.2 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 10.4%, Turkey 9.1%, Italy 8.7%, Romania 8.2%, Greece 7.3%, France 4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

72.1% 7.8% 21.4% 2.4% 66.6% -70.3% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

66.6%

government consumption

7.8%

household consumption

72.1%

imports of goods and services

-70.3%

investment in fixed capital

21.4%

investment in inventories

2.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

6.7% 30.3% 63% (2012 est.)

agriculture

6.7%

industry

30.3%

services

63% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,100 (2012 est.) $13,900 (2011 est.) $13,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.8% (2012 est.) 1.8% (2011 est.) 0.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$50.33 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$102.7 billion (2012 est.) $101.9 billion (2011 est.) $100.1 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

22.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 22% of GDP (2011 est.) 21.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 35.2% (2007)

highest 10%

35.2% (2007)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$31.15 billion (2012 est.) $31.2 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Russia 20.9%, Germany 11.3%, Italy 6.7%, Romania 6.6%, Greece 6.1%, Turkey 4.6%, Spain 4.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

0.7% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.)

Labor force

2.585 million (2012 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

$8.253 billion (31 December 2011) $7.276 billion (31 December 2010) $7.103 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

21.8% (2008)

Public debt

16.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 16.3% of GDP (2011 est.) defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities

currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$20.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $17.27 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$37.68 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $34.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.823 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$52.21 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $51.19 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$37.12 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $35.54 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$15.51 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $13.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

35.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.1% (2012 est.) 9.6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

52.44 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

124,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

3,384 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

15 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

30.46 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

12.11 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

45.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

21.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

19% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.45 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10.01 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

43.39 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

2.54 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.64 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

410 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

112,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

73,740 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

50,130 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

128,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

4 national terrestrial TV 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

976,277 (2012)

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) (2011)

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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.253 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.78 million (2012)

Airports

68 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

26 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

17

over 3,047 m

2

total

57

under 914 m

26 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

9 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

11

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 9, cargo 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 14 (Germany 12, Russia 2) 30 (Belize 1, Comoros 4, Georgia 1, Malta 8, Moldova 1, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9) (2010)

foreign-owned

14 (Germany 12, Russia 2)

registered in other countries

30 (Belize 1, Comoros 4, Georgia 1, Malta 8, Moldova 1, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9) (2010)

total

22

Pipelines

gas 2,887 km; oil 346 km; refined products 378 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Burgas, Varna (Black Sea)

major seaport(s)

Burgas, Varna (Black Sea)

Railways

4,152 km 4,072 km 1.435-m gauge (2,863 km electrified) 80 km 0.760-m gauge (2011)

narrow gauge

80 km 0.760-m gauge (2011)

total

4,152 km

Roadways

19,512 km 19,235 km (includes 458 km of expressways) 277 km does not include Category IV local roads (2011)

total

19,512 km

unpaved

277 km

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 (2012)

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)