Bulgaria is located at the Balkan Peninsular in South-Eastern Europe.It is bounded on the west by Serbia and Macedonia, on the south by Greece and Turkey, on the east by the Black Sea and on the north by Romania, where the Danube River is a natural border. The total size of Bulgaria is 110 993 square kilometers, and its average height is 470 meters.

Bulgaria is known for its various and scenic relief. 30% of its territory is taken by high mountains. Most of the mountain massifs in the country are situated in the southern part. Just Stara Planina (the Balkan mountain range) is situated in the hearth of the country, dividing it in two almost equal parts – Northern Bulgaria and Southern Bulgaria. It is a natural barrier protected the southern territories from the cold air currents coming from the north. The mountain spreads from the Timok River to cape Emine on the Black sea Coast and is 555 km long. It is a mountain range which offers everything: even green meadows, venerable oak forests, tender fir threes, 1000 meters deep abyss, numerous waterfalls, bears, goats, studs of pasturing stallions and etc. The highest point in the mountain is Botev peak 2376 m.

The Rila Mountain is the highest mountain in Bulgaria and the whole Balkan Peninsula. The highest point of the mountain is Mousala peak (2925 m). The Pirin Mountain is the second highest mountain in Bulgaria with the highest peak Vihren (2916 m), following by The Rodopi Mountain and The Vitosha Mountain. Not so high but extremely beautiful and preserved are The Sredna Gora Mountain, situated in the central part of he country, The Strandzha and Sakhar Mountains is Southeastern Bulgaria and The Osogovo Mountain in Southwestern Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is situated on the borderline between the temperate and Mediterranean climate region. The climate in the northern part is temperate continental, with four clearly defined seasons. South Bulgaria is distinguished by the sensible influence of the Mediterranean climate, which makes the winter warmer and shorter, and the summer longer and cooler.

There are five separate climate regions differentiated in Bulgaria: Temperate-continental, Transitional, Continental-Mediterranean, Black Sea and Mountain regions. Latitude is the key factor separating the first three regions, while relief and the influence of the Black Sea are forming the climate in the last two regions.

The temperature difference among the different climate regions is most clearly represented by the winter (the average temperatures in North Bulgaria are about -1, -2°?, while is South Bulgaria they are around 0°?). The average temperatures during the summer are about 20-22°?.

A typical alpine climate is formed in the mountains above 1500 metres with relatively low temperatures, abundant precipitations and long snow-retention. The average annual temperature there is about 10, 5°?.

 

Population: 7 902 312

Alphabet: Cyrillic

Language: Bulgarian

Religion: Eastern-Orthodox, the Bulgarian Church is independent headed by a Patriarch.

Capital: Sofia

Main cities: Burgas, Plovdiv, Varna, Ruse, Stara Zagora, Pleven

Airports: Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Plovdiv

Coastal Line: The Bulgarian coastal stretch faces east and extends over 378 km, dotted with vast beaches covered with fine golden sand and natural dunes - the majority of which have been awarded the EU Blue Flag for environmental excellence. Long sunny days enjoy temperatures in summer of around 23°C to 28°C, while water temperatures range between 17°C and 25°C. There are more than 300 hours of sunshine in May and September, and more than 600 hours each for July and August.

Bourgas is the largest city in South-eastern Bulgaria. It lies around the Burgas Bay and at 17 metres height. The magnificent combination of sea, sun and luster turn Burgas into a wharf where dreams come true. In Burgas is situated also the biggest Bulgarian port which helps the city to become an important industrial, administrative and cultural centre in Bulgaria.

Currency: Lev (approximately 1 Euro = 1.95 levs)