armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic
lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In
March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring
factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint
Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November
1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties signed a peace agreement
that brought to a halt the three years of interethnic civil strife
(the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The
Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international
boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic
government. This national government is charged with conducting
foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second
tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size:
the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the
Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS
governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. In
1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of
60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military
aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led
Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed
hostilities. SFOR remains in place at a level of approximately
21,000 troops.

Botswana:
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland,
Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. The
economy, one of the most robust on the continent, is dominated by
diamond mining.

Bouvet Island:
This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely
covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered
in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named.
No claim was made until 1825 when the British flag was raised. In
1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied
the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the
adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since
1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the
island.

Brazil:
Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil
became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most
populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than
half a century of military intervention in the governanc