Bulgaria General

Bulgaria is a country in southeast Europe on the Black Sea. The country borders Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey.
The climate s subject to regional variation.
The economy is based on agriculture and manufacturing. Farming is more important then stock breeding. Bulgaria has several nuclear power plants and has plans to build several more. It is one of the important energy exporters of the region.
Production of transportation equipment like trains, trams, trolleys, busses, trucks and motor cars is becoming more important.
Tourism is becoming very important for Bulgaria, in winter several ski resorts offer excellent accommodation for reasonable prices. In summer several resorts along the Black Sea coast offer watersports, spa and other entertainment.

The about 8.000.000 inhabitants live in an area of about 111.000 square kilometers.
Languages spoken are Bulgarian, Turkish, Romany and Macedonian. In business and tourist centers German and sometimes English is spoken as well. The official alfabet is the Cyrillic.
The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia.

The history of Bulgaria goes back to 500 years bc; the state Bulgaria was founded in the year 632. Bulgaria has been plagued with many wars and in 1990 the country was reformed into a democratic republic.

The country is divided in 28 provinces all named after the provincial capital, with the national capital itself forming a separate province.

Due to its strategic geographic location is the country since ancient times the major crossroad between Europe, Asia and Africa.

Topography

The southwest of the country is mountainous with 2 alpine range: Rila and Pirin and further to the east are thelower but more extensive Rhodope Mountains. The highest mountain of Bulgaria is the Musala peak with about 3 kilometers.
The long range of the mountains runs west-east through the middle of the country.
The main river is the Danube in the north, other rivers are the Struma and the Maritsa in the south.

Climate

The climate is in general temperate, with cold, damp winters and hot dry summers and Mediterranean along the Black Sea coast.

Population, languages and religion

Capital and main cities

The largest cities are Sofia (1.500.000), Plovdiv (380.000), Varna (350.000), Burgass (260.000), Rousse (180.000), Stara Zagora (165.000), Pleven (120.000), Dobrich (120.000) and Sliven (100.000).

Customs, travel documents and goods transfer

Health care and hygiene

Currency, mains and Internet

Public transportation

The public transport system is drastically modernized, further electrification of the railway system is under way. The metro in Sofia is under construction and busses and trolleys in the cities are renewed. Public transport in the larger cities is well organized, but almost completely lacking in the rural areas.

International airports are at Sofia, Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv. There are plans for modernizing some of them.

Important harbours are at Varna and Burgas for general transport; Sozopol, Nesebar and Pomorie are important fishing ports.

Private transportation

The road infrastructure is yet not up to west-european standards. Several motor highways are planned, under construction or partially finished.
Many secondary roads are under reconstruction.

Except in the cities, many roads are unlit and animals and unlit vehicles form a safety hazard at night.

Hotels and hostels

Holiday parks

Restaurants

Attractions, museums, theaters, cabarets, casinos, festivals, events

Folklore

Family holidays

Specials for seniors

Health and wellness

Information for disabled

Adventure sports

Water sports

Winter sports

Practical Information and telephone numbers

Tourist Information

Must see

Don't Do