You are what you read / Eres lo que lees

Mauritius profile (BBC)

Mauritius, a volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches in the Indian Ocean, has a reputation for stability and racial harmony among its mixed population of Asians, Europeans and Africans. 

The island has maintained one of the developing world's most successful democracies and has enjoyed years of constitutional order.

It has preserved its image as one of Africa's few social and economic success stories.

Once reliant on sugar as its main crop export, Mauritius was hit by the removal of European trade preferences but has successfully diversified into textiles, upmarket tourism, banking and business outsourcing.

The strategy helped the island's economy weather the world financial crisis of 2008-9 better than expected.

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At a glance

• Politics: Navin Ramgoolam became premier in July 2005, having already held the post from 1995 to 2000. Changing coalitions are a feature of politics
• Economy: Political stability and efforts to diversify have helped Mauritius become one of Africa's most prosperous economies.
• International: Mauritius claims the Chagos Islands, administered by Britain and home to a US military base on Diego Garcia

Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring

Various cultures and traditions flourish in peace, though Mauritian Creoles, descendants of African slaves who make up a third of the population, live in poverty and complain of discrimination.

Mauritius was uninhabited when the Dutch took possession in 1598. Abandoned in 1710, it was taken over by the French in 1715 and seized by the British in 1810.

It gained independence in 1968 as a constitutional monarchy, with executive power nominally vested in the British monarch. It became a republic in 1992.

The island of Rodrigues and other smaller islets also form part of the country.

Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos islands, which lie around 1,000 km to the north-east. The British territory, which was separated from Mauritius in 1965, is home to the US military base on Diego Garcia. The British government oversaw the forced removal of the Chagos islanders to Mauritius to make way for the base.

The country is home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals. But human habitation and the introduction of non-native species have threatened its indigenous flora and fauna.

The dodo - a flightless bird and a national symbol - was hunted into extinction in the 17th century.

Mauritius is home to some rare plants and animals 

 

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13882233 

Bulgaria profile (BBC)

 

Bulgaria, situated in the eastern Balkans, has been undergoing a slow and painful transition to a market economy since the end of Communist rule.

A predominantly Slavic-speaking, Orthodox Christian country, Bulgaria was the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, which was created there towards the end of the 9th century AD.

It was long influenced by Byzantine culture then was part of the Ottoman Empire for 500 years before gaining its independence in the 19th century.

After World War II it became a satellite of the Soviet Union, but is now a member country of the EU and NATO.

Its transition to democracy and a market economy after the collapse of communism has not been easy and the country is striving to boost low standards of living. 

 

Bulgaria is a major grower of roses which produce rose oil, used in perfumes.

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At a glance

• Politics: Inconclusive elections in May 2013 resulted in the formation of a government of technocrats
• Economy: Bulgaria is one of the EU's poorest countries. Organised crime and corruption have deterred investors and hindered growth
• International: Bulgaria joined Nato in 2004 and the EU in 2007. It is not part of the EU's passport-free Schengen zone

Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring

Throughout the early 1990s Bulgaria was wracked by political instability and strikes. The former communists were a powerful influence. Although the end of the decade was more stable, there was little tangible progress with economic reform.

Under Bulgaria's former king, Simeon II, who was prime minister between 2001 and 2005, the country pressed ahead with market reforms designed to meet EU economic targets. 

It achieved growth, saw unemployment fall from highs of nearly 20% and inflation come under control, but incomes and living standards remained low.

 

EU membership

Bulgaria was not among the countries invited to join the EU in 2004. However, it signed an EU accession treaty in April 2005 and joined in January 2007.

EU officials set tough entry requirements, reflecting their concerns about corruption and organised crime. After a series of reports found that the Bulgarian government had failed to tackle these issues effectively, the EU announced in July 2008 that it was suspending aid worth hundreds of millions of euros.

In September 2010, the EU again called on Bulgaria to take urgent action to tackle crime and corruption, and later in the year France and Germany announced that they would block Bulgaria from joining the Schengen passport-free zone until the country had made "irreversible progress" in this area.

Another cause of friction has been the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, which supplies over a third of Bulgaria's electricity.

Amid concerns over the safety of communist-era nuclear facilities, four of Kozloduy's six reactors were shut down as a price for Bulgaria's EU membership, two of them closing just minutes before the country joined the EU.

In a bid to offset the loss of production at Kozloduy and restore its position as a major power exporter in the Balkans, Bulgaria revived plans for a second nuclear power plant, though these were later put on hold.

Bulgaria is also involved in two rival gas pipeline projects: Russia's South Stream pipeline and the EU-backed Nabucco pipeline.

 

Political crisis

Spiralling utilities bills brought down the conservative government of Boiko Borisov in February 2013. Widespread public perception that high fuel costs were the direct result of a too-cosy relationship between the government and foreign-owned privatised monopolies sparked violent protests.

Although Mr Borisov's GERB party won the most seats in the election in May, it failed to achieve a majority and a government of technocrats backed by the Socialists was subsequently formed. However, the protests against official corruption that toppled the Borisov government appeared to intensify under the new government led by Plamen Oresharski.

Founded in the 10th century, Rila Monastery is seen as one of Bulgaria's most important historic monuments

 

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17202996 

Malaysia profile (BBC)

 

Malaysia boasts one of south-east Asia's most vibrant economies, the fruit of decades of industrial growth and political stability. 

Its multi-ethnic, multi-religious society encompasses a majority Muslim population in most of its states and an economically-powerful Chinese community. Consisting of two regions separated by some 640 miles of the South China Sea, Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories.

It is one of the region's key tourist destinations, offering excellent beaches and brilliant scenery. Dense rainforests in the eastern states of Sarawak and Sabah, on the island of Borneo, are a refuge for wildlife and tribal traditions.

Landmark Petronas Towers: Malaysia made the transformation from a farm-based economy

Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring

Ethnic Malays comprise some 60% of the population. Chinese constitute around 26%; Indians and indigenous peoples make up the rest. The communities coexist in relative harmony, although there is little racial interaction - and the overturning of a ban on the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in December 2009 highlighted the religious divide in the country. 

Although since 1971 Malays have benefited from positive discrimination in business, education and the civil service, ethnic Chinese continue to hold economic power and are the wealthiest community. The Malays remain the dominant group in politics while the Indians are among the poorest.

The country is among the world's biggest producers of computer disk drives, palm oil, rubber and timber. It has a state-controlled car maker, Proton, and tourism has considerable room for expansion.

 

 The indigenous Penan people of Sarawak have been affected by large-scale logging

 

Malaysia's economic prospects have been dented by the global economic downturn, which has hit export markets hard. In March 2009 the government unveiled a $16bn economic stimulus plan as it sought to stave off a deep recession.

Concerns have been raised that the drive towards further industrialisation could pose a serious threat to the environment. The Borneo rainforest is under pressure from palm oil plantations, and environmental campaigners have expressed misgivings over wholesale logging in the state of Sarawak.

Environmental activists have also objected to plans for a rare earths processing plant in the state of Pahang.

The country also faces the challenge of sustaining stability in the face of religious differences and the ethnic wealth gap.

Malaysia's human rights record has come in for international criticism. Internal security laws allow suspects to be detained without charge or trial.

 

Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15356257

WHY LEARN FRENCH LANGUAGE

Knowing French will allow you not only to function but to compete effectively in the global economy of the future.

In many europeans countries, a second language is introduced in primary school and a third language, in middle school. International job applicants who are proficient in at least two languages will be at a distinct advantage in the global market.

When you know French, you can be a part of communications and transactions occuring daily in French on every continent.

Learning French will increase your job opportunities and salary potentials. And also increases your apreciation from other people, and from other countries, the traditions, the history, the culture, and you can meet new people and understand them without any problem. Something that is not well know if that Learning French will improve your vocabulary in English, this is because 40 to 50% of English vocabulary comes from French, to learn French will also enhance your grammar skills, and willl greatly improve your scores on the verbal section.

Learning French develops your critical and creative thinking skills, because progress is very easy to measure, you can quickly take pride in your new abilities. Proficiency in French will significantly improve your chances of being accepted to the university and to graduate school.

And the best part is that you can travel to Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa and use your French for knowing more about these countries, France is the most visited tourist destination in the world. When you speak French you can ask for an address or comment about your trip or meet new friends. French is the language of culture, opening your door to art, music, cinema, dance, cuisine and fashion. 

Source:  http://www.learnfrenchguide.com/french/language/why.asp