Useful information:
Located in South Eastern Europe, Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey to the South, Romania to the North and Macedonia and Serbia to the West. Its Eastern Border is formed by the beautiful Black Sea Coast. A country of outstanding natural beauty the environment remains unspoilt and is incredibly varied. A relatively small country, a few hours drive will take you from the snow covered central Pirin mountain Ranges to the long sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast.
Located in South Eastern Europe, Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey to the South, Romania to the North and Macedonia and Serbia to the West. Its Eastern Border is formed by the beautiful Black Sea Coast. A country of outstanding natural beauty the environment remains unspoilt and is incredibly varied. A relatively small country, a few hours drive will take you from the snow covered central Pirin mountain Ranges to the long sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast.
Forming the heart of
several of ancient
histories greatest
civilizations Bulgaria's
rich culture is
reflected in a vast
number of architectural
treasures. Throughout
the country you will
find ancient Greek
sites, Roman
amphitheatres and
Byzantine churches. The
country is home to 160
monasteries, 36 cultural
centres and 40,000
listed archaeological
monuments. Nine sites
have achieved a coveted
place on the UNESCO
world heritage list.
Area:
110,993.6 sq km
Population:
7,351, 234 (2011)
Capital city:
Sofia
Official language:
Bulgarian
Alphabet:
Cyrillic
Religion:
There is freedom of
religious confessions.
Traditional religion in
the Republic of Bulgaria
is Eastern Orthodox
Christianity
National holiday:
March 3, the day of the
Liberation of Bulgaria
from Ottoman domination
(1878)
Monetary unit:
the Bulgarian Lev
Administrative division:
28 regions, named after
their respective
regional centres.
State system:
a parliamentary republic
with a one-chamber
parliament (National
Assembly), consisting of
240 national
representatives, elected
for a four-year term of
service. The head of
state of the republic is
the President, elected
for a five-year term of
service. The Council of
Ministers is the main
body of executive power.
Relief:
most
diverse. Average height
above sea level 470 m.
Some 31.5% of the
country territory is
plain (up to 200 m above
sea level), 41% are
lowlands and hilly
regions (from 200 to 600
m above sea level), and
27.5% are mountains
(from 600 to more than
1,600 m above sea
level).
Climate:
moderate continental
with Black Sea influence
in the east and
Mediterranean in the
south.
Waters:
rivers
(main rivers are Danube,
Maritsa, Mesta, Strouma,
Iskar, Yantra); warm and
cold mineral springs
(more than 600); lakes
coastal (some with
curative mineral mud)
and of glacial origin
(in the Rila and Pirin
mountains).
Plant and animal world:
extremely
diverse. An Act on the
Protected Territories is
operating in Bulgaria,
aimed at the
preservation of the
country flora and fauna.
It has specified the
following categories in
the country: a national
and nature park, a
reserve and a tended
reserve, a natural
sight, a protected
locality.
Economy:
Bulgaria has been an
associated member of the
European Union (EU)
since 1992. In 1997 an
agreement was signed
with the International
Monetary Fund and the
World Bank for economic
stabilization and for
the carrying through of
economic reforms in the
country. A currency
board was introduced.
The national monetary
unit has been referred
to the EURO. A
structural reform is
underway aimed at an
economic growth, a
functioning market
economy and at paving
the way for foreign
investments in the
country.
Transport:
railway, automobile, air
and water.
International automobile
sign:
BG
International telephone
code:
+359
