Official name: REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA


Bulgaria covers a surface of 110 912 sq.km. and is located in Europe, on Balkan Peninsula. Bulgaria is bordered by Turkey and Greece on the south, Romania on the north, Black Sea on the east and Macedonia and Serbia on the west. The capital town is Sofia.


The population of Bulgaria is about eight million inhabitants 85% of them are Eastern Orhodox and 8% are. Bulgarian People had come into being as result of crossing through the centuries of Thracians, Slavs and Turks.

The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental with four clearly distinguished seasons. The extreme south parts are under Mediterranean influence. The average annual temperature value is 10,5°?. The show blanket stays from 10 days near the Black Sea coast up to more than 200 days in the high mountains within a year.

There are many mountain massifs in Bulgaria. Most of them are located in the south part - Rila, Pirin, Rodopi. There are lots of forests in the country as well where many species of animals live. The highest peak in Bulgaria is Musala (2925 m) in Rila mountain. 28% of Bulgarian territory are mountains.

Bulgarians love their traditions. Family relations are strong and often people of three generations - grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers and children live together or keep their relationship intensively.

Electrification, water supply and sewerage are nation-wide. Houses are furnished in the standard European manner. Road network is developed like in Europe and North America.

Head of Bulgarian State is the President. The President is elected every 5 years. Bulgarian national banner is of three colors - white, green and red. The State coat of arms is a standing on golden lion on dark red shield.

Geographic location of Bulgaria had exercised an influence on Bulgarian cuisine. Main foods in Bulgaria are: vegetables (tomatoes, piper, potatoes, cabbage, onion, carrots, egg plants, cucumber), French beans and haricot, lentils, rice, white pickle cheese, yellow cheese, meat (pork, veal and chicken). Bulgaria is the home of Bacilus Bulgaricus - the yogurt. The yogurt is considered cause for the long life of Bulgarians. Bulgarians love spices and men prefer also pungent ones (garlic, onion, chillis). Bulgarians consume bread a lot.

Bulgaria is known for its good wines. Wine has been produced here for about 5000 years. The hot summer and mild autumn are a precondition for production of wine of high quality. The most popular wines are as follows: red wines - Mavrud, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pamid, white wines - Chardonnay, Traminer, Kerazuda, Misket. Bulgarians' aperitif is rakia (home made brandy - mainly made of grapes or plums, but also of other fruits). In the summertime it is consumed cooled and with Shopska salata (specific salad with tomatoes, white cheese and pepper that is a world hit). In the winter the rakia is consumed with bee honey and hot.

Bulgaria bristles with medicinal herbs and mineral water springs. Wild herbs are spread over mountains and plains. Their gathering is very popular. Most of them are worldwide known and our country is one of the biggest exporters of medicinal herbs. They are used both as medicine and strengthening tea. Bulgarians love herb tea (wild thyme, wild briar, peppermint, common balm, lime, tutsan, elder and various aromatic combinations of them). Coffee is very popular, too.

The fascinating Bulgarian folk music and beautiful folk dances are known everywhere. Bagpipe, wooden flute, rebeck are Bulgarian national musical instruments.

Bulgaria is small in territory and population but it has all natural beauties.

If you want to ski or if you love scramble we have alpine type mountains.

If you want to enjoy your holiday on the seacoast - we have incredible beaches.

If you want to learn more about Bulgaria - you can visit excavated prehistoric settlements and examine ancient remains.

If you want to play a good knife and fork - Bulgarian cuisine offers tasty dishes, just ask someone who has already visited Bulgaria.

One interesting piece of detail is the way Bulgarians nod head to say "yes" and "no" - it is just contrariwise the way people all over the world do it.

The famous John Atanassov - one of the creators of the computer is Bulgarian.

Of course aforesaid is a short tale, a tiny piece of all that can be narrated about Bulgaria.