Source: Zone Bulgaria (http://en.zonebulgaria.
com/)
About Bulgaria
General Information about Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe and is situated on the Balkan Peninsula. To the north the
country borders Rumania, to the east – the Black Sea, to the south – Turkey and Greece, and to the
west – Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a National Assembly (One
House Parliament) of 240 national representatives. The President is Head of State.
Geography of Bulgaria
The Republic of Bulgaria covers a territory of 110 993 square kilometres. The average altitude of the
country is 470 metres above sea level.
The Stara Planina Mountain occupies central position and serves as a natural dividing line from the west
to the east. It is a 750 km long mountain range stretching from the Vrushka Chuka Pass to Cape Emine
and is part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain range. It reaches the Black Sea to the east and turns to
the north along the Bulgarian-Yugoslavian border.
A natural boundary with Romania is the Danube River, which is navigable all along for cargo and
passenger vessels.
The Black Sea is the natural eastern border of Bulgaria and its coastline is 378 km long. There are
clearly cut bays, the biggest two being those of Varna and Bourgas. About 25% of the coastline are
covered with sand and hosts our seaside resorts.
The southern part of Bulgaria is mainly mountainous. The highest mountain is Rila with Mt. Moussala
being the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula (2925 m). The second highest and the mountain of
most alpine character in Bulgaria is Pirin with its highest Mt. Vihren (2914 m), followed by the Rhodope
Mountains and Vitosha.
The plains and the lowlands in the country cover large areas to the north and the south of the Stara
Planina Mountain. The Danube Plain is the biggest, bordering Yugoslavia to the west, the Dobroudzha
region and the Black Sea to the east, the river Danube to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the
south. Its relief is noted for the numerous plateaus, hills and river valleys cutting through the mountain.
Dobroudzha is a hilly plain, situated in the north-eastern corner of Bulgaria. It is also referred to as “ the
granary of Bulgaria”.
The Rose Valley is located to the north between Stara Planina and the long and low mountain chain of
Sredna Gora Mountain. Besides the widespread crops, the valley is typical for the oil-yielding rose
grown there. It is one of the patents of the unique climate of Bulgaria. Another is the world-famous
Bulgarian yogourt, made with the help of the yeast-type “bacillus Bulgaricum” (Lactobacterium
Bulgaricum Grigoroff).
The Thracian Lowland is the second biggest in the country, starting from the mountains that surround
Sofia to the west and reaching the Black Sea to the east. It stretches between the Sredna Gora to the
north and Rila, the Rhodope Mountains and Strandzha to the south. Crops typical for the southern
longitudes are grown there and sometimes two harvests are gathered.
Many European travellers claim that Bulgaria is Eden on Earth. It has everything: a sea; rivers and
lakes, high mountains, virgin forests, plateaus and plains, hot and cold mineral springs.
Climate in Bulgaria
Bulgaria as a whole is sutiated in the moderate climatic zone. The country can be conditionally divided
into two climatic zones. The Stara Planina Mountain is considered the watershed between them.
Winters are colder in Northern Bulgaria and much milder in the Southern part of the country. Winter
temperatures vary between 0° and 7°C below zero. Very rarely temperatures may drop below 20°C
below zero. Typical continental and changeable is the climate in spring. It is exceptionally favourable for
the growth of fruit-bearing trees, for whose fruit Bulgaria has been renowned in Europe for centuries.
Summer is hot and sweltering in Northern Bulgaria, especially along the Danube River.
The climate in Southern Bulgaria is determined by the air-currents from the Mediterranean. Summer
temperatures do not reach the extremes as in Dobroudzha and along the Danube and are usually
moderate: about 28°-30°C. The highest readings are usually taken in the towns of Rousse and Silistra,
sometimes reaching above 35°C. Autumns are mild and pleasant in Bulgaria. The multi-coloured forests
in autumn add to the picturesque landscape. Autumn showers in principle are more frequent than in
spring. May, October and November are the rainiest months. As is natural, in the high mountains the
temperatures depend on the altitude.
There are different climatic zones suitable for the growth of one or another rare species or crops. Typical
examples are the Sub-Balkan valley, referred to as the Rose Valley, some regions in the Rhodope
Mountains where one can find the unique flower of Orpheus, the region of the town of Sandanski where
olives and citrus fruit are grown, etc. There are some interesting areas from a climatic point of view,
such as the Sofia Plain, the regions of Sliven and Varna, where strong winds blow almost throughout the
year. In the first two cases they are due to the proximity with the Balkan Mountains and its passes,
which let all winds blow constantly through them. In the case with Varna this phenomenon is due to the
specific microclimate of the Bay of Varna and the sea air-currents coming from the north.
Population of Bulgaria
The last census (in 2001) showed that 7 973 673 people live in Bulgaria. The average life expectancy
for women is 74, and for men - 67. About one quarter of the population is at the age of pension. Most of
Bulgarian population lives in cities. More than a million and a half people live in the capital city of Sofia,
which is approximately one fifth of the total population.
There are many ethnic groups living in Bulgaria (Turks, Gypsies, Armenians, Jews, Greeks,
Wallachians, and Albanians) as a consequence of its historical and geographical specifics. All minorities
live in harmony with the Bulgarian population without any social or ethnic pressure.
Bulgarian Economy
The first steps made by Bulgarian economy in the modern sense of the word date back to the beginning
of the 19th century when Bulgaria became famous for its agricultural production. In the beginning of the
20th century the country was one of the biggest exporters of early vegetables, fruit, milk, cheese, butter
and meat in Europe. Up to the middle of the 20th century Bulgaria was considered a typically agrarian
country.
The development of the industrial production and the manufacture date back to the first third of the 19th
century. The factories in Sliven, Gabrovo, Veliko Turnovo and Stara Zagora, the development of crafts
in these towns and in many others near the Balkan Mountains, gained good markets for Bulgaria and
made it popular among the partners from the east and the west.
The national industry advanced at a moderate pace till the middle of the 20th century when the
government decided to turn the country into an industrial giant on the Balkans. This strategy was
successful to a certain extent but it was at the expense of significant investments and a number of
mistakes, connected with the lack of sufficient natural resources. The basic doctrine of the government
was to increase the number of the working class, which implied opening of new enterprizes, construction
of new factories and works, power plants, industrial enterprises and dams. The volunteer brigades of
school children, soldiers and university students contributed as a free work resource. At that time
Bulgarian economy was bound with the economy of the USSR and the socialist countries through
participation in COMECON and that gave impetus to certain branches of the national industry and
revived the trade between those countries. On the other hand, Bulgaria did not have a choice and could
not apply the principles of marketing and competition to the import and export of goods because of the
lack of alternative trade partners.
Today Bulgaria is looking again for partners and markets. The collapse of planned economy and the
introduction of the free market economy and competition caught the Bulgarian producers unprepared. A
lot of companies went bankrupt. Privatisation is still in progress. There were no preferential laws until
recently to give impetus to local production. There were not enough tax and customs preferences to
make Bulgarian producer assure prime quality and expand production. The foreign investments soon
after November 10, 1989 clashed against walls of old decrees and regulations that deterred potential
investors.
The country has been in a situation of a currency board since 1997 tying the national currency to the
DEM, and since 1st January 2002 – to the Euro. This stabilised the Bulgarian Lev, put an end to the
financial chaos and devaluation, and restored the hope of the people for realistic and stable savings and
investments. The Parliament passed a packet of laws, which helped for modernisation of legislation and
revival the production. The restitution of land and other real estate property as well as the privatisation
advancing at full speed gave Bulgarians a chance to work and earn from their labour. There is a nation-
wide opposition to the industrial racketeering, the disloyal competition, the production and distribution of
low quality products and the piracy in the industrial and intellectual sphere. A reform in the field of
banking is still to be imlplemented because of the emergence of a great number of banks and their
bankruptcy at the expense of their clients. The financial, industrial and insurance companies and groups
are also fought against because of the unfair deals, concealing of taxes, etc.
Today Bulgaria exports mainly agricultural products, electrics transporters, electricity and non-ferrous
metals. It is especially famous for its yogourt and dairy products as well as oil-yielding roses, flowers
and a variety of wines and brandies. The country imports various technical equipment, computers, audio
and video equipment, electric appliances and household ware, ready-made clothes and raw materials.
Tourism, which used to be an emblematic feature of the country’s economy, is also successfully
developing. Tourist establishments are to be totally privatised, modernised and renovated so that a
better image and promotion of Bulgaria is achieved through it. Bulgaria possesses an incredible amount
of natural resources which, with a little effort, better organisation and loyalty, could be turned into
attractive centres for tourists and sportemen from all over the world. Many tourist companies have
already met the world standards and attract their own guests to Bulgaria.
About Sofia
The capital of the Republic of Bulgaria is the city of Sofia (1 096 389 inhabitants, 550 metres above sea
level). The city lies in the Sofia Plain, enclosed by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Lozen
Mountain to the southeast, Mountain Vitosha to the south, the Lyulin Mountain to the southwest. The the
plain is open to the northwest in the direction of Yugoslavia, and to the southeast to the Thracian
Lowland. Sofia is situated 55 km from the Yugoslav border at Kalotina checkpoint, 113 km from the
Gyueshevo checkpoint with Macedonia, 183 km from the Greek border at Koulata, 315 km from the
Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo, 211 km from the Romanian border at Vidin, 324 km at Rousse, 392
km from our maritime border at the port of Bourgas, and 470 km from the port of Varna. In close
proximity to the capital city lie Pancherevo Lake and Iskar Dam. The Iskar River flows by the city, and
several smaller rivers cross the city, the most popular of these being the Vladaya and the Perlovo
Rivers.
Sofia is linked by international routes with the capitals of Europe, and via Istanbul and Ankara, with the
Middle East. Below is a list of the distance in kilometres to some of these cities:
Amsterdam 2242
Ankara 1010
Athens 863
Barcelona 2541
Belgrade 390
Berlin 1745
Bern 1773
Bonn 1973
Brussels 2196
Budapest 779
Bucharest 383
Warsaw 1691
Vienna 1044
Gdansk 2053
Gibraltar 3792
Dublin 2948
Istanbul 568
Kiev 1519
Copenhagen 2135
Lisbon 3826
London 2512
Madrid 3166
Marseilles 1908
Milan 1371
Moscow 2371
Munich 1483
Oslo 2715
Paris 2307
St. Petersburg 3079
Prague 1352
Rome 1632
Rostov on the Don 1831
Stockholm 2754
Tirana 579
Hamburg 2303
Helsinki 2
Bulgarian Mountains
It can safely be asserted that Bulgaria is a mountainous country. Approximately half of its territory is
occupied by mountainous formations various in their area, height, nature and origin. All of them are a
ring of the powerful range of the Alpine - Himalayan Massif comprising a multitude of mountainous
systems on the two continents - Europe and Asia.
The mountains in Bulgaria are extremely diverse in kind. If they lack something, it is solely the “cosmic”
altitudes and the everlasting snow and ice. Small and big, barren and forested, rounded and steep, low
and high, rocky and openly Alpine all of them are accessible during the four seasons of the year and
they provide for limitless opportunities for recreation, sports and tourism.
Geographical science indicates the existence of 37 mountains on the territory of Bulgaria, 36 of them
situated in the southern part of the country and the mountain range of Stara Planina is the border
between Northern and Southern Bulgaria. It is namely the mountain range of Stara Planina, the longest
and the biggest in area, known as the Balkan Mountains, too, which gave the name to our Balkan
Peninsula. The second longest mountain range in our country is spread in parallel to it, to the south -
Sredna Gora. These two mountains, except their magnificent natural endowments, are closely related to
the history of our people as well. The most impressive mountainous system, however, is the Rila-
Rhodope Massif, including Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Slavianka and Sturgach.
Rila is the sixth highest mountain in Europe and the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula (Mt.
Moussala 2925 m). Pirin is the most beautiful and Alpine-like Bulgarian mountain. The Rhodope
Mountains, the larger part of which are on Bulgarian territory (a smaller part is in Greece), are the
second in area and one of the most interesting of our mountains in relation to flora and fauna, the
architecture of the settlements and the cultural traditions of the population. Slavianka and Sturgach are
border Greek mountains. Slavianka is a very interesting tourist site famous for its fields of Pirin tea.
Two lower mountains are situated to the east of the Rila-Rhodope Massif - Sakar and Strandzha.
Strandzha is closely related to the struggles of Bulgarian people for liberation from Ottoman Rule.
Another mountain system is the Plana-Zaval Group, including 5 mountains in it - Zavalska, Viskiar,
Liulin, Vitosha and Plana, situated in a line, to the south-east of the border with Serbia. The highest,
biggest and most famous of them is the Vitosha Mountain. Located in the immediate proximity to the
south of the capital city, it is the most visited mountain. The organised hiking movement in Bulgaria was
commenced on the principal mount of this range - Mt. Cherni Vruh (2290 m). On 27th August 1895 at
the appeal of the great Bulgarian writer and democrat Aleko Konstantinov, 300 citizens of Sofia climbed
it on foot from Sofia-city - quite incredible for the time!
The Verila-Rui group comprises 7 comparatively low mountains, located between the border with Serbia
and the Rila Mountain. These are Rui (bordering with Serbia and the highest in the group - 1706 m),
Ezdimir, Strazha, Liubash, Cherna Gora, Golo Burdo and Verila. In spite of their low altitude above sea
level and their small area, each of these mountains is interesting in itself. The Ostritsa Reserve, for
instance, is situated in Golo Burdo and it is extremely rich in endemic vegetation kinds.
The mountainous system of Kraishte has 11 individual mountain formations. Like in the Verila-Rui
group, the mountains here are small in area and comparatively low. The highest of these mountains are
those bordering with Serbia - Milev and Kurvav Kamuk, 1733 m and 1737 m respectively.
The Osogovo-Belasitsa mountainous group is situated in the south-west corner of Bulgaria. Osogovo
and Belasitsa Mountains are over 2000 metres high, and Vlahina and Ìalashevska Mountain, follow
them closely in altitude. The fifth mountain within this group is Ograzhden. Four of the mountains are on
the Bulgarian-Macedonian border, and Belasitsa is situated on the territories of 3 states - Bulgaria,
Greece and Macedonia. Mt. Tumba (1881 m), is a knot between the three neighbouring Balkan
countries.
Of all the 37 small and big mountains, 8 exceed the altitude of 2000 metres: Rila (Mt. Moussala - 2925
m), Pirin (Mt. Vihren - 2914 m), Stara Planina (Mt. Botev - 2376 m), Vitosha (Mt. Cherni Vruh - 2290 m),
Osogovo Mountain (Mt. Ruen - 2252 m), Slavianka (Mt. Gotsev Vruh - 2212 m), the Rhodopes (Mt.
Golyam Perelik - 2191 m) and Belasitsa (Mt. Radomir - 2029 m). All of them are subject to tourist and
sports related activities and the Rhodopes are quite densely populated as well.
The high-mountain lakes add to about 400 in number and they are scattered around cirques of the Rila
and Pirin Mountains and one - in Stara Planina. There are a lot more natural lakes of other origin, mainly
around the Rhodopes and fewer around Stara Planina. This is a priceless wealth of Bulgarian nature,
which shall henceforward attract and charm thousands of fans.
The unique mountainous nature of Bulgaria is increasingly becoming a foremost concern for the state in
view of its preservation for the present and the future generations. Dozens of biosphere reserves have
been established and huge territories of Pirin, Rila and Stara Planina were declared National Parks. The
Pirin National Park was included in the UNESCO list of protected territories and natural sites,
representing super-national, universal values.
The opportunities offered by Bulgarian mountains in relation to the pleasant and beneficial use of one’s
free time are great in number. For motor tourists there is a sufficiently branched road network providing
access to the most interesting natural, historical and cultural places of interest, as well as to all the
settlements and resorts. Hiking tourism related opportunities are unlimited in number and hiking can be
practised during all four seasons of the year. It is mainly for its purposes that over 300 chalets (for
information and reservations contact tel.: 02 9801285) and high-mountain cabins were built in the
Bulgarian mountains, a sufficiently dense network, which allows for the longest mountain hikes to be
concluded within one day.
Thousands of kilometres of marked trails provide a high degree of security when moving around in the
mountains. The four-colour marking characteristic of most European countries with developed hiking is
adopted in Bulgaria. The key colours in it are red, blue, green and yellow, and white colour is an
auxiliary one. It should be known that the red marking, in principle, is for ridges. Winter marking consists
of yellow-black metal stakes, at a height of between 3 and 4 metres and indicates the comparatively
safest way along a certain route in the event of serious snow cover. The greater part of the routes,
particularly in Rila, Pirin and along the ridges of Stara Planina, have azimuth table plates in addition to
the numbering of the stakes.
There are very good ski-sports opportunities in four big ski-centres in the Bulgarian mountains -
Borovets (Rila), Pamporovo (the Rhodopes), Àleko (Vitosha) and Bansko (Pirin). Of them Borovets has
got the highest coefficient where the European Cup races are organised. Borovets was the host of a
round of the World Cup as well. The smaller ski-centres of local importance include Semkovo,
Panichishte, Rilski Ezera (Rila Lakes), Maliovitsa and Govedartsi in Rila, Bezbog in Pirin, Petrohan,
Kom, Strazhata, Beklemeto, Pleven, Uzana, Chumerna in Stara Planina, Zdravets, Byala Cherkva, Per-
senk, Yundola, Martsiganitsa in the Rhodopes, Vetrovala and Konyarnika in Vitosha and others. Not
only the slopes of the Alpine-like mountains of Rila and Pirin offer marvellous ski-tourism related
conditions but so do Stara Planina, the Rhodopes, Vitosha, and Osogovo as well.
Bulgarian mountains offer excellent conditions for one of the most attractive and emotional kinds of
sports in the open air - mountaineering. Alpine sites in our country, which are of interest even to the
most outstanding climbers in Europe add up to dozens. In the first place, without a rival, is the Maliovitsa
mountain ridge of Rila - the cradle and centre of Bulgarian mountaineering - a vast Alpine “stadium”,
among which the most beautiful Bulgarian peak rises – Mt. Maliovitsa (2730 m). Other well-known
Alpine sites are Vihren and Stapalata (the Stairs) in Pirin, Vratsata, Lakatnik, Raiski Skali (Paradise
Rocks), Severniya Dzhendem (Northern Hell), Maglizh and Karandila in Stara Planina, Kominite (the
Chimneys) and Reznyovete in Vitosha, the gorge on Erma River.
There are very good conditions for other modern mountainous sports, too - mountain marathon,
mountain biking, delta- and paragliding, rafting and kayaking.
Their beauty, diversity and accessibility during all the seasons of the year make Bulgarian mountains an
object of desire for home and international tourism.
The perfectly organised and equipped Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) and 15 well-trained dogs take
care of the health, life and security of tourists and sportsmen in the mountains. About 50 permanent and
700 voluntary mountain rescuers provide for the security of the territory of all the Bulgarian mountains
and through their dedicated labour and love for the people and the mountain they inspire calmness and
more confidence in all nature admirers. The Central 24-hour Check Point is located in the MRS Station
in Lozenets district of the capital city, tel.: 02 9632000; 0481843; 088621286. A permanent radio
connection is maintained with over 250 chalets and MRS check-points. Several central bases function
with the Mountain Rescue Service - in Borovets, Maliovitsa, Bansko, Dobrinishte above Mt. Bezbog and
Pamporovo, Mechi Chal above the town of Chepelare, as well as a great number of local bases - Aleko,
Cherni Vruh and Opheliya in Vitosha Mountain, Vezhen, Buzov Dial, Uzana and Bulgarka in Stara
Planina, Osogovo in the mountains above the town of Kiustendil, Zdravets in the Rhodopes, above
Plovdiv. There are a lot of temporary and permanent rescue check-points as well - Rezena and
Konyarnika in Vitosha Mountain, Markudzhitsite and Tchatarluka in Rila, Chalin Valog, Yavorov Chalet
and Shiligarnika in Pirin.
The Mountain Rescue Service structures have successfully participated in stamping out the
consequences of earthquakes and other natural distasters in Turkey, Greece, Armenia, Egypt and in
Bulgaria, as well. Since 2000 the Vitosha Life Insurance Company PLC offers mountain life insurance.
The annual fee of 20 Leva covers first aid in the mountain, transport to a hospital and treatment.
