Geography

Bulgaria is situated in the south - east part of Europe, in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The country borders Romania to the North, the Black Sea to the East, Turkey and Greece to the South, Serbia and Macedonia to the West. The river Danube forms the country's northern frontier and provides quick access to Central Europe.

Territory

110912 km2

Population

8.4 millions

Capital

Sofia (1.2 million inhabitants)

Official language

Bulgarian. Most of the young generation speak English and German.

Religion

Christian-Orthodox (85%), Muslim (8%), others(7%) Climate: Moderate continental with Mediterranean influence in the south. Distinctive summer, autumn, winter and spring seasons.

Time zone

Greenwich Mean Time + 2 hours

Wine and Dine

Bulgaria is a renowned paradise for the gourmets. They have distinguished for a long time the excellence of the mouth-watering Bulgarian cuisine and the deliciousness of the famous Bulgarian wines.

Did you know that the yoghurt originally comes from Bulgaria? Do not forget to try it when you visit the country. Ask for KISELO MLIAKO. When you say "Cheers!" to Bulgarian you'd better look into his/her eyes because the opposite is taken for disrespect. Cheers in Bulgarian is "Nazdrave".

Why Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is a piece of paradise. It impresses with the beauty of azure, warm sea and the magnificent mountains covered with snow. Although Bulgaria occupies only 2% of the territory of Europe it is generously gifted with natural landmarks and diversity of landscape, mild moderate climate, rich variety of flora and fauna, and abundance of curative mineral springs. Bulgaria has the abundance of 600 hot, warm and cold natural mineral springs and 370 drilling springs. The water has different chemical composition, degree of mineralization, types of dissolvable salts, medical gases, biologically active microcomponents, temperature and healing properties. The favourable, healthy climate and the presence of balneo-resources in Bulgaria offer possibilities to combine one' s rest with prophylactics and treatment. The most famous spa resorts are: Sofia, Sandanski, Velingrad, Varshets, Hissarya, Pomorie, Narechen, Pavel banya, Kiustendil, Kostenetz, Sapareva banya. The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast offers attractive seaside resorts with over 200 days of sunshine per year and high summer temperatures from May to October.

A site of interest in Rila are the Seven glacial lakes. There are the highest summit on the Balkan Peninsula - Moussala, the oldest biosphere reserve - Parangalitza, which is a part of the National park Rila. In Pirin Mountain there are many glacial lakes. The beautiful Popinolashki waterfall and the Pyramids of Melnik are situated there. The National Park Pirin is included in the UNESCO world heritage list.

Bulgaria's most famous ski resorts are Pamporovo, Bansko and Borovets, which offer plenty of snow from mid December to mid April. Costs are significantly less than in any other major ski resorts in Europe. In Bulgaria there are numerous ecologically clean places, which have preserved their traditional appearance and genuine spirit. There one has the opportunity simultaneously to enjoy the marvelous Bulgarian nature and to share the preserved rich Bulgarian traditions and folklore. Elena and its region, Shiroka luka and its region, Melnik, Tryavna, Rupite, Kotel, Zheravna, Bozhentzi, Arbanassi, Kovachevtzi, Koprivshtitsa are only some of those places.

Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria. Other important cities are Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Rousse, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Dobrich, Sliven and Shumen.

Very beautiful and picturesque are the mountains of Rila, Pirin, Stara Planina, and the Rhodopes with their old forests, numerous caves, magnificent gorges, waterfalls and lakes.

When you say "Cheers!" to Bulgarian you'd better look into his/her eyes because the opposite is taken for disrespect. Cheers in Bulgarian is "Nazdrave".

Did you know that the yoghurt originally comes from Bulgaria? Do not forget to try it when you visit the country. Ask for KISELO MLIAKO.

Shops' working hours : 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Fresh food products, fruit and vegetables can also be bought from market places open every day in the capital and the country.

Many tourist agencies have included in their packages some of the Bulgarian cultural events, so that foreign visitors to Bulgaria are given the chance to get an authentic idea about our national culture- The Kukeri Carnaval, The folk festivals "Pirin Sings" and "Rozhen Sings", the festival for authentic folklore in Koprivshtitsa, The Festival of Roses in Kazanlak, etc. Just ask! You have to carry in the mountains warm clothes, comfortable footwear, pocket light, two pairs of socks, pocket-knife, matches and rain-protecting wear. When hiking in the mountain you have to be very careful and to follow the way-indicating signs. Guides can be hired from licensed agencies and societies specializing in tourism, mountaineering and skiing. Vitosha Street is Sofia''s major shopping area. Variety of shops also along Graf Ignatiev and Rakovsky streets. The Central Department Store is the biggest in the capital; it is situated in the central part of the city, to the right of Sheraton Hotel. Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially in crowded markets and on shopping streets. Con artists operate on public transportation and in bus and train stations. Do not leave your luggage unattended to. Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available. Some taxi drivers overcharge unwary foreigners. Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially in crowded markets and on shopping streets. Con artists operate on public transportation and in bus and train stations. Do not leave your luggage unattended to. If the hotel has a safe keep your valuables in there. Do not leave them behind in your hotel rooms or lodgings, nor entrust them to new acquaintances.

Major branches of the following Bulgarian banks will cash travellers'' checks on the spot for leva, the Bulgarian currency, or other desired currency: Bulbank, Bulgarian Postbank, Biochim, First Investment Bank and United Bulgarian Bank (UBB). UBB also serves as a Western Union agent and provides direct transfer of money to travellers in need. The main international credit cards can be used in the country for the payments of all standard services: mainly hotel bills, luxury shops and restaurants, plane tickets, car rentals, night clubs, etc. You may change money in banks or in the numerous change bureaus. In front of the change bureau you may be accosted by people offering a higher exchange rate than the official one. It is better to avoid them. Foreigners visiting Bulgaria must register their address with local authorities within 24 hours of arrival, unless staying at a hotel where registration is done automatically. If you intend to remain in Bulgaria longer than three months, you must apply for a residence permit from the local police office. When you enter Bulgaria by car you must state which border crossing you'll be using when you leave and pay a road tax accordingly. Route restrictions apply if you're only in transit through Bulgaria.