OVERVIEW
Bulgaria is a beautiful country, small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality.
Bulgaria is especially proud of its rich folklore traditions. Folk dances, music, national costumes and traditional rituals play an important part in the life of Bulgarians.
In addition, the Black Sea Coast has over 370 km of coastline with sandy beaches and numerous attractive resorts which are ideal for both traditional seaside family holidays or more active stays.
Bulgaria is situated in Eastern Europe and bordered to the north by the River Danube and Romania, to the east by the Black Sea, to the south by Turkey and Greece and to the west by Serbia & Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea and its golden beaches. The land is heavily cultivated, covered with forests and crossed by rivers. Although Bulgaria lies in the very southeast corner of Europe, the climate is never extreme in summer. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe and offer sunbathing from May until October, while in winter heavy falls of snow are virtually guaranteed in the mountain skiing resorts.
Bulgaria’s Black Sea resorts are scenically captivating with their fine sandy beaches, sunny climate and safe seas and wonderfully inexpensive too.
FACTS
Territory: 110 993 sq.km
Population: 7 760 000
Capital: Sofia
Religion: 85% Bulgarian Orthodox, 13% Muslim
Political System: Parliamentary Democracy
National Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN) 1lev=100 stotinki =1.95 Euro
Time Zone: GMT+2
Major Cities: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna ,Bourgas, Russe
National Holiday: March 3rd LANGUAGE The official language is Bulgarian and uses only the Cyrillic alphabet. To facilitate tourists, signs in populated areas, resorts,railway stations, airports and along the main highways are also spelled in Roman letters.English, German, French and Russian are spoken in the country.
HISTORICAL TIPS
Bulgaria is a country with an ancient history dating back to prehistoric times, the Thracian, Greek and Roman worlds of antiquity, and the powerful medieval Old Great Bulgaria founded in 632 CE and Bulgarian Empire founded in 681 CE. Bulgaria joined NATO on March 29, 2004 and the European Union on January 1, 2007. The country has been a member of the United Nations since 1955, and is a founding member of OSCE. As a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty, Bulgaria takes part in the governing of the territories situated south of 60° south latitude.
