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Bulganin
Soviet statesman and industrial and economic administrator. After supporting N. Khrushchev in the latter's power struggle with G. Malenkov, Bulganin was made premier of the Soviet Union (1955-58). Though closely identified with Khrushchev, he joined an "antiparty group" that tried to oust Khruschev in 1957, a move that led to his own downfall.


Burgas
City (pop., 1996: 199,000), E Bulgaria. Located on an inlet of the Black Sea, it is one of Bulgaria's chief ports. It was founded in the 17th cent.; its development received impetus with the coming of the railroad in the late 19th cent. It claims much of Bulgaria's Black Sea trade and handles most of its fish catch. With several neighboring towns, Burgas is part of the developing Black Sea Riviera.


Burgundy
Historical region, France. The name was originally applied to a kingdom in the Rhone valley and W Switzerland founded by the Burgundians, a Germanic people who fled Germany in the 5th cent. Conquered by the Merovingians c.534, it was incorporated into the Frankish empire. By the 843 Treaty of Verdun, it was included in the Middle Kingdom of Lothair I's Holy Roman Empire. It was later divided into Cisjurane (Lower) Burgundy, or Provence (founded 879), and Transjurane (Upper) Burgundy (founded 888); they united in 933 to form the kingdom of Burgundy. After the 13th cent., it was known as the kingdom of Arles; the name Burgundy was applied to the duchy of Burgundy, formed in the 9th cent. from lands in the NW part of the original kingdom. On the death of Burgundy's duke in 1361, the duchy reverted to the French crown. Given to Philip the Bold, by 1477 its lands extended into the Low Countries. It was seized by Louis XI, annexed to the French crown, and was a province until the French Revolution. Today the area forms a governmental region with its capital at Dijon. Winemaking is an important part of the economy.


currant
Any shrub of at least 100 species in the genus Ribes, in the gooseberry family, native to temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere and W S. America. The Rocky Mtns. are especially rich in species. The flavorful, juicy red or black berries are used chiefly in jams and jellies. Black currants are used in lozenges and for flavoring, and are occasionally fermented. Currants are extremely high in vitamin C and also supply calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The name currant is also given to a seedless raisin frequently used in cooking.


Durban
City (pop., 1991: 716,000; metro. area pop.: 1,137,000) and chief seaport, S. Africa. Located on Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean, it was the site of a European trading settlement from 1824 and was named Port Natal by the traders. Land was ceded to them by the Zulu king Shaka, and the Old Fort (now a museum) was built. Durban was founded in 1835 on the site of Port Natal. In the 1840s the Boers clashed with the British over control of Durban. One of the ...

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