Information about Bulgaria

Bulgaria - the oldest European country, the development of which has repeatedly intersects with the history of world civilization.

This state, with its convenient geographical position, with well-developed tourist infrastructure and extreme hospitality has every reason to be desired in terms of accommodation and travel through its territory.

Bulgaria is located in the Balkans. Has quite a long liniyuna Black Sea coast, throughout which there are beautiful beaches, natural bays and beautiful scenery.

Every year thousands of tourists flock to Bulgaria, not only in the summer wanting to relax in the resorts of Bulgaria, and in the winter to ski, but also to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the people of this beautiful country as well as in cultural and historical centers of the Balkans. The tourists enjoy various opportunities for climate and balneo-treatment, yachting, surfing, water skiing, diving, underwater fishing, other aquatic sports and diverse types of entertainment.

Recent years have been characterized by rapid economic growth. At the moment, Bulgaria remains the lowest prices across the EU, but gradually the standard of living in this country begins to rise - it is expected that the prices will go up. This factor provides a constant interest of foreign investors in the country.

Total area: 110,994 kilometres

Capital: Sofia

Population:  The population of Bulgaria is 7,364,570 people. Bulgarians are the main ethnic group and comprise 84.8 per cent of the population. Also live Turks, Gypsies, Russian, Ukrainians, Greeks and Armenians.

Language: Official language- Bulgarian. In Bulgaria, the majority of the population speaks Russian well.

Religion: Orthodox (85%), Muslim (8%), others (7%)

Politics: Bulgaria is a parliamentary democracy in which the most powerful executive position is that of prime minister. Political parties gather in the National Assembly, which consists of 240 deputies elected to four-year terms by direct popular vote.

Geography: Bulgaria occupies a portion of the eastern Balkan peninsula, bordering five countries—Greece and Turkey to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the west, and Romania to the north. The Balkan mountains run laterally through the middle of the country. The mountainous southwest of the country has two alpine ranges- Rila and Pirin, which border the lower but more extensive Rhodope Mountains to the east. Bulgaria is home to the highest point of the Balkan peninsula, Musala, at 2,925 metres (9,596 ft) and its lowest point is sea level. Plains occupy about one-third of the territory, while plateaus and hills occupy 41 per cent. The country has a dense network of about 540 rivers, most of which are relatively small and with low water levels. The longest river located solely in Bulgarian territory, the Iskar, has a length of 368 kilometres (229 mi). Other major rivers include the Struma and the Maritsa in the south.

Climate: Bulgaria has a dynamic climate, which results from its being positioned at the meeting point of Mediterranean and continental air masses and the barrier effect of its mountains. Northern Bulgaria averages 1°C cooler and registers 200 millimetres (7.9 in) more annually than the regions south of the Balkan mountains. Temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas. The lowest recorded temperature is −38.3 °C (−36.9 °F), while the highest is 45.2 °C (113.4 °F). Precipitation averages about 630 millimetres (24.8 in) per year, and varies from 500 millimetres (19.7 in) in Dobrudja to more than 2,500 millimetres (98.4 in) in the mountains. Continental air masses bring significant amounts of snowfall during winter.

Major cities: Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Stara Zagora

Popular resorts:

Summer Resorts:  Albena, Ahtopol, Balchik, Dyuni, Elenite, Golden Sands, Kiten, Lozenets, Nessebar, Obzor, Pomorie, Primorsko, Riviera, Rusalka, Sinemorets, Sozopol, St. Constantine, St. Vlas, Sunny Beach, Tsarevo

Winter resorts: Bansko, Chepelare, Borovetz, Pamporovo, Vitosha

Spa tourism: Velingrad, Hisarya, Sandanski, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Bankya, Pavel Banya