The 2003 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency
UNMEE, UNMIBH,
UNMIK, UNMOP, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 234–7973 telephone: [1] (202) 387–0174 chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James William PARDEW
embassy: 1 Suborna Street, Sofia 1000
mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740
Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521–5740
telephone: [359] (2) 937–5100
FAX: [359] (2) 981–89-77
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the
national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has
been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat
ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the
dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation
from Nazi control)
Economy Bulgaria
Economy - overview:
Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the European
Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong growth
since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of the then
socialist government. As a result, the government became committed
to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. A $300 million
stand-by agreement negotiated with the IMF at the end of 2001 has
supported government efforts to overcome high rates of poverty and
unemployment.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $49.23 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.7% industry: 28.5% services: 57.9% (2001)
Population below poverty line: 12.6% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.5% highest 10%: 22.8% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.4 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
3.83 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 26%, industry 31%, services 43% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate:
18% (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $5.57 billion
expenditures: $5.68 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2001 est.)
Industries:
electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery
and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined
petroleum, nuclear fuel
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
41.38 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 44.1%
Electricity - consumption:
32.52 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
6.79 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
830 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
603 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
94,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
8.1 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
4 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
5.804 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.724 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets
Exports:
$5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels
Exports - partners:
Italy 15.5%, Germany 9.6%, Turkey 9.4%, Greece 9.2%, France 5.3%,
US 4.8% (2002)
Imports:
$6.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals
and ores; chemicals and plastics; food, textiles
Imports - partners:
Russia 14.6%, Germany 14.4%, Italy 11.4%, Greece 6.1%, France 5.7%,
Turkey 5% (2002)
Debt - external:
$10.3 billion (yearend 2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
$300 million (2000 est.)
Currency:
lev (BGL)
Currency code:
BGN
Exchange rates:
leva per US dollar - 2.08 (2002), 2.18 (2001), 2.12 (2000), 1.84
(1999), 1.76 (1998)
note: on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July
1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 lev
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Bulgaria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3,186,731 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.054 million (2001)
Telephone system:
general assessment: extensive but antiquated
domestic: more