About Bulgaria
- Territory - 110 912 sq.km (approximately 42 822 sq. miles)
- Population - 8,3 million people
- Capital - Sofia
- Other major cities and towns: Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Rousse, Veliko Turnovo, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Shoumen, Dobrich, Sliven
- Time zone - Greenwich + 2 hours
- Currency - Bulgarian Lev (plural – Leva) abbreviated BGN. 1 Lev is made up of 100 stotinki.
- 1GBP = 2.90 BGN
- Religion – Eastern Orthodox Christianity (86%)
- Other religious communities – Muslim (13%), Armenian, Jewish, Catholic
- Language - Bulgarian and the alphabet is Cyrillic
The Republic of Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula, in the southeast of Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the east, Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, and Romania to the north along the river Danube.
Bulgaria occupies a relatively small area of 111 000 sq. km. The country is distinguished with generous and varied nature. Bulgaraia possesses 380 km marvelous strech of beaches, calm and safe sea, clear water and healthy air, fine golden sands
and natural dunes, mineral water springs, blue flag winning resorts, holiday villages and campsites. Bulgarian mountains offer ecologically pure virgin nature, plenty of snow and sun. They are not only well-known ski resorts in winter, but also favorable climatic centers in summer.
The climate in Bulgaria is determined by four clear seasons. The country benefits from temperate continental climate. A Mediterranean influence is felt in the country's southern regions and the Black sea coast. The average January temperature is around O°C. The average summer temperature rarely exceeds 30°C. There are more than 240 hours of sunshine in May and September and more than 300 hours in July and August.
The total population of the country is about 7,8 million people with the highest concentrations living in the major cities or towns of Sofia, Plovdiv, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna and Burgas.
Due to its strategic geographic location on the European continent, Bulgaria allows investors to reach the entire market of the European Union and the markets of Eastern Europe, Asia and North Africa. Bulgaria offers foreign investors some of the world's most competitive business costs. Bulgaria is making a considerable effort to offer the lowest corporate taxes in Europe. Tourism and real estate industries are the fastest growing sectors in the Bulgarian economy with excellent opportunities for foreign investment with high return on investment ratios. The expected economical growth (GDP per capital) is about 5 percent per year.
Bulgaria is a full member of NATO from 2004. On April 25, 2005 Bulgaria signed the Treaty of Accession with the European Union and is set to join it in 2007.
Travelling to Bulgaria is easy. International airports are located in Sofia, Varna and Burgas and connect Bulgaria to the rest of the world. Travelling time from London to Sofia is 2 hours 30 minutes and it takes about 3 hours to reach Varna.
Mountainous region
Bulgarian mountainous region exist mostly as wonderful natural reserves for a phenomenal variety of wildlife, flora and fauna. Small picturesque villages with living traditions and folklore nestle in every Bulgarian mountain having its own characteristic appearance and fascination. Towns resting amidst magnificent woods preserve the charm of the past and the unforgettable feeling of freedom and seclusion. Gently sloping ski runs and facilities for skiing tourism and winter sports are on offer in the mountains of Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Vitosha, and the Balkan Range. The Pamporovo, Borovets, Bansko and Aleko resorts offer well-organized winter sports infrastructure undergoing renovation and development. The internationally known climate therapy and spa resorts Sandanski, Hisarya and Velingrad are conveniently located in the folds of the mountains.
South seaside
To the south, the coast is flatter and wilder, with the thick forests of the Strandzha mountain contrasting breathtakingly with hundreds of cozy beaches stretching between the jutty rocks of the mountain. Settlements here are small and picturesque. The most beloved ones for its unique architecture and ancient spirit are Sozopol and Nessebar Narrow cobblestone lanes, tiny squares and old-style wooden houses give them romantic atmosphere and look. More than two thousand years old Bourgas is a starting point for visiting the seaside resorts in the area. The vast tourist complex Sunny Beach and Sveti Vlas, the new holiday villages of Elenite, Dyuni, Tzarevo, Kiten, Primorsko compare favorably with villa settlements in Spain and the Mediterranean.
North Seaside
Clean and calm sea with low sloping sandy bottom, spacious beaches with golden sands, venerable forests and numerous mineral springs. All these feathures make the Northern Black Sea coast an atractive place for foreign holiday-makers and investors. Even the most refined reqirements will be satisfied by the nothern resorts of Zlatni Piassatsi (Golden Sands), Albena, Roussalka, Riviera, Slanchev Den (Sunny Day), St.Konstantin and Elena. The resorts are abundant in lush vegetation and greenery.Varna’s allure is hard to resist. Ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern cultures mingle and coexist throughout the city. Elegant little villages in the area provide a peaceful yet sophisticated hideaway from visitors all around the world. Here you can enjoy the splendor of the shore just steps away.
Sofia region
Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria. The city is located in the southern part of the Sofia valley and at the foot of the mountains Vitosha and Lyulin The region of Sofia is distinguished with its profuse abundance in natural resources, historical and cultural landmarks and opportunities for relaxation and tourism. Sofia is surrounded by satellite towns such as Bankya (with excellent opportunities for spa treatment), Novi Iskar and Bukhovo (industrial centers). The area abounds in curative mineral springs (Gorna Banya, Ovcha Kupel, Bankya). The Vitosha Mountain is an international winter sport centre.With its well-developed infrastructure and strategic location, Sofia is an important centre for foreign investors.
Nothern Bulgaria
Northern Bulgaria spreads across the valley of Danube river. Nothern Bulgaria combines wide fruitful agricultural land and secluded places untouched by civilization. One of the places that is worth visiting is the town of Veliko Tarnovo. Its breathtaking panoramic views and rich cultural and historical heritage win Veliko Tarnovo the recognition as a historical, cultural and tourist center of contemporary Bulgaria. Nature has been also pretty benevolent in the area of Elena. Elena Balkan is a heaven for the admires of mountain and eco tourism, fishing and tracking. Its authentic white-washed or wooden houses dating back to the Bulgarian National Revival, its pure mountain air and its truly amazing serenity will meet all your expectations of an escape from the bustle of everyday life.
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