is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the
national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US,
visited the islands in 2008. In the mid-1980s, the government began
offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate
in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial
revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by
yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late
1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated
statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the
British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international
business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural
activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic
food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US
Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as
its currency since 1959.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$853.4 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.095 billion (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,500 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.9%
industry: 10.7%
services: 88.3% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
12,770 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 213
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.6%
industry: 40%
services: 59.4% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
3.6% (1997)
country comparison to the world: 29
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
2% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Industries:
tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore
financial center
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
45 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - consumption:
41.85 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - imports:
691 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Current account balance:
$134.3 million (1999)
country comparison to the world: 56
Exports:
$25.3 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 203
Exports - commodities:
rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand
Imports:
$187 million f.o.b.
Imports - commodities:
building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
Debt - external:
$36.1 million (1997)
country comparison to the world: 188
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::British Virgin Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
20,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 194
Telephones - mobile cellular:
24,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 206
Telephone system:
general assessment: worldwide telephone service
domestic: fixed line connections exceed 80 per 100 persons and
mobile cellular subscribership is approaching 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable
to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable
provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean
(2008)
Broadcast media:
1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and
satellite subscription services; about a half dozen private radio
stations operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.vg
Internet hosts:
497 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 180
Internet users:
4,000 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 206
Transportation ::British Virgin Islands
Airports:
4 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 184
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 200 km
country comparison to the world: 207
paved: 200 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 149
Ports and terminals:
Road Harbor
Military ::British Virgin Islands
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,230 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,028
females age 16-49: 5,778 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 174
female: 167 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::British Virgin Islands
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US
and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to
money laundering
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Brunei (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Brunei
Background:
The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th
centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest
Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a
period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal
succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In
1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was
achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six
centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas
fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.
Geography ::Brunei
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Geographic coordinates:
4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 5,765 sq km
country comparison to the world: 172
land: 5,265 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 381 km
border countries: Malaysia 381 km
Coastline:
161 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain:
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land: 2.08%
permanent crops: 0.87%
other: 97.05% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8.5 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.09
per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994)
Natural hazards:
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Environment - current issues:
seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and
Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost
an enclave within Malaysia
People ::Brunei
Population:
395,027 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.1 years
male: 28 years
female: 28.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.733% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Birth rate:
18 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Death rate:
3.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Net migration rate:
2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Urbanization:
urban population: 75% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 141
male: 14.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.96 years
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 73.72 years
female: 78.31 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Nationality:
noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian
Ethnic groups:
Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.)
Religions:
Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes
indigenous beliefs) 10%
Languages:
Malay (official), English, Chinese
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.7%
male: 95.2%
female: 90.2% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2000)
country comparison to the world: 121
Government ::Brunei
Country name:
conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form: Brunei
local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form: Brunei
Government type:
constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy)
Capital:
name: Bandar Seri Begawan
geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait,
Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence:
1 January 1984 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date
of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of
independence from British protection
Constitution:
29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of
Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1
January 1984)
Legal system:
based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic sharia law
supersedes civil law concerning Muslim marriages and inheritance;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age for village elections; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah
(since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah
(since 5 October 1967)
cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by
the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a
Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on
religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the
monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of
Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the
succession to the throne if the need arises
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary
Legislative branch:
The Sultan appointed a Legislative Council with 29 members as of 2
September 2005; the council has met in March of each year since then
elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)
note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first
time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed
constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15
elected members; no timeframe for an election has been announced
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for
three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is
final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with
Islamic laws (2006)
Political parties and leaders:
National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]
note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin
Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin
Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have
limited activity
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent),
ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Yusoff Abd HAMID
chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838
FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alexander
L. BARRASSO
embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Kebangsaan, Bandar Seri Begawan,
BS8811
mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar
Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam
telephone: [673] 238-4616
FAX: [673] 238-4606
Flag description:
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width)
and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in
red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty
and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote
Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components:
a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy,
the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility,
prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the
government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the
people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion;
the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears
in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent
reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"
National anthem:
name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)
lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji
BESAR bin Sagap
note: adopted 1951
Economy ::Brunei
Economy - overview:
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of
foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation,
welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas
production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of
exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and
substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from
domestic production. The government provides for all medical
services and free education through the university level and
subsidizes rice and housing. A new monetary authority was
established in January 2011 with responsibilities that include
monetary policy, monitoring of financial institutions, and currency
trading activities. Other plans for the future include upgrading the
labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and
tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in
general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.88 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$19.68 billion (2009 est.)
$20.04 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.96 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
-1.8% (2009 est.)
-1.9% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$50,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$50,700 (2009 est.)
$52,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 74.1%
services: 25.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
188,800 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 62.8%
services: 33% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
4% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
0.3% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
5.5% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.374 billion (30 March 2009)
country comparison to the world: 108
$3.046 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$8.569 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 106
$7.597 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.274 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$2.38 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats,
eggs
Industries:
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
-5.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - production:
3.069 billion kWh (2008)
country comparison to the world: 123
Electricity - consumption:
2.98 billion kWh (2008)
country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
146,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Oil - consumption:
16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Oil - exports:
152,900 bbl/day (2007)
country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - imports:
238 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Oil - proved reserves:
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - production:
13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - consumption:
4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - exports:
9.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - proved reserves:
390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Current account balance:
$7.024 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$7.101 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$10.67 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
$8.25 billion (2007)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, natural gas, garments
Exports - partners:
Japan 38.04%, Indonesia 25.95%, South Korea 14.17%, Australia 7.24%
(2009)
Imports:
$2.61 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
$2.055 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,
chemicals
Imports - partners:
Singapore 38.4%, Malaysia 18.7%, Japan 7.2%, China 5.42%, Thailand
5.19%, US 4.45%, UK 4.25% (2009)
Debt - external:
$0 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 195
Exchange rates:
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.45 (2009), 1.45 (2009), 2
(2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004)
Communications ::Brunei
Telephones - main lines in use:
80,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 149
Telephones - mobile cellular:
425,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 163
Telephone system:
general assessment: service throughout the country is good;
international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East,
Western Europe, and the US
domestic: every service available
international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3
optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to
Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway
submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will
provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 4 channels;
3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are
available via satellite and cable systems; RTB operates 5 radio
networks broadcasting on multiple frequencies; British Forces
Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations;
some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via
repeaters (2009)
Internet country code:
.bn
Internet hosts:
50,997 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
Internet users:
314,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 128
Transportation ::Brunei
Airports:
2 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 207
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 2,971 km
country comparison to the world: 166
paved: 2,411 km
unpaved: 560 km (2008)
Waterways:
209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait,
Brunei, and Tutong rivers are major transport links) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 97
Merchant marine:
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 117
by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Lumut, Muara, Seria
Military ::Brunei
Military branches:
Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei
Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays
are ineligible to serve (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 111,166
females age 16-49: 115,071 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 93,809
females age 16-49: 97,345 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 3,509
female: 3,427 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 21
Transnational Issues ::Brunei
Disputes - international:
Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their
offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon
exploration, and renounce any territorial claims along their land
boundary; despite no public territorial claim to Louisa Reef, Brunei
implicitly lays claim by including it within the natural
prolongation of its continental shelf and basis for a seabed median
with Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls
short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of
the disputants
Illicit drugs:
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are
serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Bulgaria (Europe)
Introduction ::Bulgaria
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.
Geography ::Bulgaria
Location: