Bulgaria A Country Study

396 Pages·1993·29.464 MB·English

by  Federal Research Division

area handbook series
Bulgaria
a country study

Bulgaria
a country study
Federal Research Division
Library of Congress
Edited by
Glenn E. Curtis
Research Completed
June 992
1
On the cover: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
Second Edition, First Printing, 1993.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bulgaria : a country study / Federal Rese—arch Division, Library of
Congress ; edi—ted by Glenn E. Curtis 2d ed.
p. cm. (Area handbook series, ISSN 1057-5294)
(DA pam 550-168)
;
"Research completedJune 1992."
"Supersedes the 1974 edition ofArea Handbook for Bulgaria,
—
edited by Eugene K. Keefe" T.p. verso.
Includes bibliographical references (pp. 287-295) and index.
ISBN 0-8444-0751-8
1. Bulgaria. I. Curtis, Glenn E. (Glenn Eldon), 1946- .
II. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. III. Series.
IV. Series: DA pam 550-168.
;
DR55.B724 1993 93-10955
949.77—dc20 CIP
Headquarters, Department of the Army
DA Pam 550-168
ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments, U.S. GovernmentPrintingOffice
Washington,D.C. 20402
Foreword
This volume is one in a continuing series ofbooks prepared by
the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under
the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the
Department ofthe Army. The last page ofthis book lists the other
published studies.
Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country,
describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national
security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelation-
ships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural
factors. Each study iswritten by a multidisciplinary team ofsocial
scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of
the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static
portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make
up the society, theirorigins, dominant beliefs and values, theircom-
mon interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature
and extent oftheir involvement with national institutions, and their
attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and
political order.
The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not
be construed as an expression ofan official United States govern-
ment position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to
adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections,
additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be wel-
comed for use in future editions.
Louis R. Mortimer
Chief
Federal Research Division
Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. 20540
in

Acknowledgments
The authors are indebted to numerous individuals and organi-
zations who gave their time, research materials, and expertise on
Bulgarian affairs to provide data, perspective, and material sup-
port for this volume.
The work ofVioletaD. Baluyut andWilliam Giloane, coauthors
of the previous edition of the Bulgaria area handbook, provided
an important factual base from which to develop new chapters.
Thanks also go to the Bulgarian National Tourist Office in New
York, the United States Embassy in Sofia, the Embassy of the
Republic ofBulgaria in Washington, and Scott Thompson ofthe
United States Department ofState for assistance in locating illus-
tration material. The expert photography ofCharles Sudetic and
Sam and Sarah Stulberg provided vivid new images of Bulgaria
for users of the handbook.
Thanks also go to Ralph K. Benesch, who oversees the Coun-
try Studies/Area Handbook Program for the Department of the
Army. In addition, the authors appreciate the advice and guidance
of Sandra W. Meditz, Federal Research Division coordinator of
the handbook series. Special thanks go to Marilyn L. Majeska, who
supervised editing and managed production, assisted byAndrea T.
Merrill; to Wayne Home, who designed the book cover and the
illustrations on the title page ofeach chapter; to David P. Cabitto,
who provided graphics support and, togetherwith Harriett R. Blood
and the firm ofGreenhorne and O'Mara, prepared maps; and to
Tim Merrill, who compiled geographic data and adapted maps.
The following individuals are gratefully acknowledged as well:
Sharon Costello, who edited the chapters; Barbara Edgerton and
IzellaWatson, who didthe word processing; Cissie Coy, who per-
formed the final prepublication editorial review; Joan C. Cook,
who compiled the index; and Malinda B. Neale of the Printing
and Processing Section, Library of Congress, who prepared the
camera-ready copy under the supervision of Peggy Pixley.