Location: South Europe, the Eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Neighbours: to the north - Romania, to the east - Black Sea, to the south - Turkey and Greece,to the west - Serbia and Montenegro and Republic of Macedonia.

Area:
total: 110,910 sq km
land: 110,550 sq km
water: 360 sq km

Population: 7,450,349 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.1% (male 539,005/female 512,762)
                      15-64 years: 68.7% (male 2,516,368/female 2,599,524)
                      65 years and over: 17.2% (male 531,008/female 751,682) (2005 est.)

Median age:  total: 40.66 years
                        male: 38.59 years
                        female: 42.66 years (2005 est.)

Capital: Sofia

Administrative regions: 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol

Religion: Christian Orthodox (85 %), Muslim (10 %) and others.

State system: Parliamentary Republic. Head of state - President, elected by direct vote for 5-year term. Legislative body - National Assembly (Narodno Sabranie,one-chamber parliament) of 240 Members of Parlament (Naroden predstavitel or Deputat) with 4-year term. Government - Council of Ministers, elected by the National Assembly.

Membership in international organisations: Bulgaria is a member of United Nations (14 December 1955), NATO (29 March 2004) and 53 other international organisations, associated member of the EU (February 1 1995); Bulgaria is a member of European Union (January 1 2007).

Currency: lev (1 EURO = 1,955 leva)

National Holidays

BULGARIA is a unique combination of beautiful and varied nature and ancient culture. Located at a crossroad of cultures and civilizations, the country has been inhabited since ancient times. Few states in the world have inherited such multilayered historical and cultural diversity, evidence for a highly developed
spiritual culture. The oldest inhabitants were the Thracians, who settled our lands 2000 years BC. In the 7th century BC the Greeks colonised the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, in the 4th century BC Phillip of Macedonia conquered Thrace, and later the Bulgarian lands became a province of the Roman Empire and the Romans built new cities and castles. After the 7th century AD the Bulgarians built fortresses to protect their lands against the powerful neighbor: the Byzantines. The Ottoman Turks, who
conquered the Balkan Peninsula, changed the destiny of the Orthodox state and for five centuries Bulgaria disappeared from the world's stage. The Revival, which began relatively late, engaged the entire Bulgarian society and marked the Modern times. After 1878 the Bulgarian state was restored and strived to make up for the lost five centuries.

Population

People as open to foreigners, as the Bulgarians are, is something rare and far between. They are sociable, hospitable and open to the world. Present day Bulgarian society is multi-cultural and with many different ethnos – Bulgarians, Turks, Armenians, Jews, Roma. The most numerous among them are the Bulgarians – 84% of the country’s population, and the Turks - around 9,4%. 86% of the population professes Christianity. There are many Muslim and other religious communities in Bulgaria, but there is no tension and the country is often cited as an example of religious tolerance in the region.

Religion

Bulgaria is one of the first places in the world where Christianity spread. In the 9th century it became an official religion in the state. Orthodox Christianity was preserved during the 5 centuries of Ottoman oppression, and through the 45 years of communist atheism. Today, Bulgarians mark both the Christian holidays and the traditional feasts, many of which have come down to us from heathen times. Orthodox churches with their interior and smell of incense, with their wonderful icons made of wood and gold, create a sense of mystery and awe. Easter is the biggest church holiday in the country. Many people gather in 2005  churches at midnight, holding candles.

Traditions

The traditional holidays, embedded deep in the nation’s memory, connected with the harvest and with health, have been preserved to a greater degree outside large cities. At the beginning of the fast the “kukeri” or mummers, men dressed in animal hides with grotesquely painted masks - go around the village,  clanging big bells to chase away evil spirits and ensure a good harvest. In southern Bulgaria the “nestinari” dance on live coals, to mark the beginning of summer with the celebration of the day of St. Constantine and St. Elena. Even refined city folk join the “horo” (traditional Bulgarian chain dance) at weddings or on other festive occasions to the rhythm of folk music.

Name days such as St. Stefan for example are especially popular, particularly if your name is Stefan. On that day you are visited by friends and relatives, to celebrate it together. The tradition is observed also in towns, even though life there bears all the signs of alienation.

Some of the BULGARIAN CULTURAL MONUMENTS IN THE UNESCO LIST

Today Bulgaria is one of the European states and the Bulgarian culture is part of the European and world culture. The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) list of World Culture and Nature Heritage includes Bulgarian monuments, recognised as unique:

The Thracian Domed Tomb of Kazanlak(Kazallashkata Grobnitza), known also as the Kazanlak Tomb. Built in the end of the 4th - beginning of the 3rd century BC, it is famous for its magnificent frescos, which cover the tomb chamber and the corridor.

The Thracian Royal Tomb of Sveshtari near the village of Sveshtari (Sveshtari tomb or Grobnitzata v Sveshtari). It is dated beginning of 3rd century BC. The tomb is impressive with its rich sculptural adornments and it is part of a huge cult centre of the Thracian tribe Getians.

The Madara Rider(Madarski Konnik) is the only preserved early medieval stone bas-relief in Bulgaria. It was created in the 8th century AD on a high, vertical rock near the town of Shoumen. The composition of a horse rider, a wounded lion and a dog symbolizes the Bulgarian ruler Han Tervel being victorious over his enemies.

The Boyana Church (Boyanskata Tzarkva) was built in the 11th - 13th century. The frescos in the two-storeyed family church-tomb, created in 1259, have high artistic and historical value. The beautiful portraits of Tzar Konstantin Tih and Tzaritsza Irina, and the ktitor sevastokrator Kaloyan and his wife Desislava are also there.

The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo are a complex of medieval churches, shrines and monastic cells, hewn out in the rocks above the river Rusenski Lom. The preserved 13th century frescos that cover the walls of the caves are a unique monument of the Bulgarian Medieval art.

The Ancient City of Nesebar (Stariat grad Nesebar)is an architectural and archeological preserve, which encompasses the Nessebar peninsula. Antique monuments from the times of ancient Mesemvria, early Christian churches, picturesque medieval temples and peculiar wooden Black Sea houses of the Revival coexist on the territory of the city.

The Rila Monastery (Rilskiat Manastir) is the largest and the most beautiful Bulgarian monastery. Founded in the 10th century on the slopes of Rila, it has become religious, literacy and educational centre. Talented Renaissance builders, icon-painters, and woodworkers participated in its building and expansion.

SOME BULGARIAN NATURAL MONUMENTS IN THE UNESCO LIST

Pirin National Park in located in South-West Bulgaria. Pirin National Park has a limestone Balkan landscape, with lakes, waterfalls, caves and pine forests. The rugged mountains, with some 70 glacial lakes scattered throughout them, are home to hundreds of endemic and rare species, many of which are representative of the Balkan Pleistocene flora. The mountains also have diverse and unique landscapes of great aesthetic value.

Sreberna Natural Reserve is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube and extending over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. Among the most interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill.