Politics and Currency

The Lev is the unit of currency of Bulgaria. One Lev is divided into 100 Stotinki. Banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 leva and coins in denomination 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 are in circulation.

Bulgaria is a republic with a parliamentary Government, whereby the Minister-Chairman is the Head of Government, and of multi-party system.

Visa, Passport, and Customs

Bulgaria is member of European Union now; as such nationals of other European Union countries do not require a visa regardless of period of stay. All other nationals require a visa with the exception of citizens of country such as USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand who can be admitted without a visa for a stay of less than 30 days. Visitors are required to have sufficient funds or return/onward tickets and valid health insurance.

Time

The Clock in Bulgaria is an hour behind Moscow time.

Geography

Bulgaria is situated in southeastern Europe. It occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north, along the Danube River, it borders Romania to the west, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Macedonia. To the south its neighbours are Greece and Turkey. To the east Bulgaria touches the Black Sea, which links it also to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia.

The country’s total territory is 111,000 sq. km (43,000 sq. miles) in area. The mountains occupy half of the country’s territory, with the high mountain relief – i.e., at an altitude above 1,600 m., comprising 5% of its entire area. The Bulgarian mountains are easily accessible, and the towns and villages have preserved the authentic Bulgarian spirit and hospitality. The rivers rise mainly in the highest mountains, and flow into the Black Sea (via the Danube) and into the Aegean Sea. The only navigable river is the Danube, which flows along the northern Bulgarian border. There are good opportunities for adventure tourism: wild water rafting and canoeing, diving, delta and Para-gliding in the valleys of the Vatcha, Iskar, Chepelarska, Struma, and Mesta rivers.

History

Ancient Thrace was partially located on the territory of modern Bulgaria, and Thracian culture provides a wealth of archeological sites within Bulgaria. In the second century A.D., the Bulgars came to Europe from their old homeland, the Kingdom of Balhara situated in the Mount Imeon area (present Hindu Kush in northern Afghanistan).

The first Bulgarian state was established in 635 A.D., located along the north coast of the Black Sea. In 681 A.D. the first Bulgarian state on the territory of modern Bulgaria was founded. This state consisted of a mixture of Slav and Bulgar peoples. In 864, Bulgaria adopted Orthodox Christianity. The First Bulgarian Kingdom, considered to be Bulgaria’s “Golden Age,” emerged under Tsar Simeon I in 893-927..

In 1018, the Byzantine Empire conquered Bulgaria. In 1185 the Bulgarians broke free of Byzantine rule and established the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. A number of Bulgaria’s famous monasteries were founded during this period. Following the 1242 Mongol invasion, this kingdom began losing territory to its neighbors. Ottoman expansion into the Balkan Peninsula eventually reached Bulgaria, and in 1396 Bulgaria became part of the Ottoman Empire. During the five centuries of Ottoman rule, most of Bulgaria’s indigenous cultural centers were destroyed. Several Bulgarian uprisings were brutally suppressed and a great many people fled abroad. The April uprising of 1876, the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), and the Treaty of San Stefano (March 3, 1878, the date of Bulgaria’s national holiday), began Bulgaria’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire, but complete independence was not recognized until 1908.

During the first half of the 20th century, Bulgaria was marred by social and political unrest. Bulgaria participated in the First and Second Balkan Wars (1912 and 1913) and sided with the Central Powers, and later the Axis Powers, during the two World Wars. Although allied with Germany during World War II, Bulgaria never declared war on the Soviet Union and never sent troops abroad to fight under Nazi command. Near the end of World War II, Bulgaria changed sides to fight the German army all the way to Austria; 30,000 Bulgarian troops were killed.

King Simeon II assumed control of the throne in 1943 at the age of six following the death of his father Boris III. With the entry of Soviet troops into Bulgaria in September 1944 and the defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II, communism emerged as the dominant political force within Bulgaria. Simeon, who later returned and served as Prime Minister, was forced into exile in 1946 and resided primarily in Madrid, Spain. By 1946, Bulgaria had become a satellite of the Soviet Union, remaining so throughout the Cold War period. Todor Zhivkov, the head of the Bulgarian Communist Party, ruled the country for much of this period. During his 27 years as leader of Bulgaria, democratic opposition was crushed; agriculture was collectivized and industry was nationalized; and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church fell under the control of the state. In 1989, Zhivkov was removed from power, and democratic change began

Tourist Attraction

One of Europe’s oldest cities Sofia is located in Bulgaria. Sofia acquired its name from the 6th century Church of St. Sofia. The city’s main tourist attraction include botanical museum at the national botanical garden, zoological museum at the zoo, national museum of history, national museum of natural science, National Art Gallery, Institute of Ethnography, national palace of culture, Alexander nevsky palace etc.

One of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is situated approximately midway between Sofia and Varna and it forms a picturesque setting on the hilltops, within a bend of the Jantra River. At one time the capital of the second Bulgarian Empire, Veliko Tarnovo can justifiably claim the title of being Bulgaria’s richest city in terms of historic monuments which are based on the 12th-14thcenturies churches, the typically Balkan style, 18th-19th centuries’ dwellings, and the medieval fortress (Tsarevets) towering over the city. The terraced dwellings which overlook the Jantra River, in the historic old part of Veliko Tarnovo, present a distinctive panorama to the sightseer; a significant number of these dwellings now function as hotels, restaurants and cafes.

The town of Melnik and the mediaeval fortress above it are all located in an unusual surrounding of natural sand pyramids and a canyon of fantastically shaped eroded roc is a remarkable collection of architectural, artistic and archaeological monuments of major historical significance. Most important among them are the three-storey feudal castle, the mediaeval churches containing most valuable icons of the 13th to l9th century.

One of Bulgaria’s oldest cities Plovdiv is on seven hills along the banks of the Maritsa River.

Language

The official language of Bulgaria – Bulgarian. Other languages spoken are English, Russian, German and Turkish.

Religion

Bulgarian Orthodox Church forms 85% of the population, Islam 12%, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism.

Transportation

There is an extensive network of air, road and train services in Bulgaria. Most tourist sites are accessible by public transport. Buses are common for urban transport. In addition to them trams and trolley buses are typical in the big cities. There are many taxis in all towns.

Entertainment

Bulgaria offers a wide range of entertainment to the tourists. The Bulgaria entertainment consists of a thriving nightclub, great music, classical concerts, programs by National Folk Ensemble and others. The nightclubs of Bulgaria play various types of techno music and “chalga”, which are a combination gypsies and other techno music. The entertainment in Bulgaria offers variety to the tourists. The foreigners can also listen to various classical concerts, which are generally performed by local artists of Bulgaria.

Chalga is very popular among the people and acts as a source of Bulgarian entertainment. The Sweik pub of Bulgaria offers live music, exotic combination of beer served with international cuisine. This an ideal place to experience the Bulgaria- entertainment. Another unique place of Bulgarian entertainment is the Chevermeto pub offering delectable dishes along with great music. Barbecues are prepared before the eyes of the guests. In a nutshell, the night life in Bulgaria has lots to offer to the tourists.

Population

The National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria estimates the country’s population for 2009 at 7,606,000 people. According to the 2001 census, it consists mainly of ethnic Bulgarians (83.9%), with two sizable minorities, Turks (9.4%) and Roma (4.7%) Of the remaining 2.0%, 0.9% comprises some 40 smaller minorities, while 1.1% of the population has not declared their ethnicity.

Cuisine

You would love the Bulgarian cuisine. It is rich in salads required at every meal and also noted for diversity and quality of diary products. Bulgarian cuisine features also a variety of hot and cold soups, an example of a cold soup being tarator. There are many different Bulgarian pastries as well.

Most Bulgarian dishes are oven baked, steamed, or in the form of stew. Deep-frying is not very typical, but grilling – especially different kinds of meats – is very common. Pork meat is the most common meat in the Bulgarian cuisine. Oriental dishes do exist in Bulgarian cuisine with most common being moussaka, gyuvetch, and baklava. A very popular ingredient in Bulgarian cuisine is the Bulgarian white brine cheese called “sirene” . It is the main ingredient in many salads, as well as in a variety of pastries. Fish and Chicken are widely eaten but Beef is less common as most cattle are bred for milk production rather than meat.

Bulgarian cuisine is noted for the variety of Bulgarian wines and local alcoholic drinks such as Rakia, Mastika and Menta.

Climate

The climate of Bulgaria is one of the country’s most favorable features. With four distinct seasons the weather in Bulgaria is generally hot and dry in summer with moderate humidity, mild and pleasant in autumn, cold and crisp in winter and boomingly beautiful in spring. Along the Black Sea Coast the climate is maritime, the Mediterranean Sea cooling summer temperatures compared to the interior of the country. Temperatures average 75°F (24°C) in summer and around 32°F (0°C) in the winter months.