Bulgaria is a city in Europe. Description of Bulgaria. Brief characteristics of the modern Republic of Bulgaria

Capital: Sofia.

Geography: State, with total area 110.9 thousand sq. km., located in southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders on Romania in the north, Turkey and Greece in the south, and Serbia and Macedonia in the west. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.

Big cities: Sofia, Ruse, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna.

Time: It lags behind Moscow by 1 hour.

Natural and climatic conditions: About 1/3 of the country is occupied by mountains. Located in the center of the country mountain system Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), dividing the territory of Bulgaria into two parts: the northern plain (Danube Plain) and the southern, more mountainous. Rila-Rhodope is located in the southwest of the country mountain range: Rila Mountains (Mount Musala - 2925 m - highest point Balkan Peninsula), Pirin and Rhodopes. The climate is temperate continental, in the south it is transitional to Mediterranean.

OK. 30% of Bulgaria's area is covered with forests, ch. arr. broad-leaved (beech, oak); pine, fir and spruce grow in the mountains. Natural conditions Bulgaria is creating favorable conditions for the development of tourism and the resort industry.

Political system: According to the 1991 Constitution, it is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, elected by direct vote. The highest legislative body is the unicameral People's Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the prime minister - the leader of the party that collected the majority of votes in parliamentary elections.

Administrative division: 8 areas.

Population: 7.54 million people (2003). The majority of the population are Bulgarians (89%), there are also Turks, Gypsies, Greeks, Armenians, Russians, etc. Urban population - 71%. Population density 68.0 people/km2.

Language: Official Bulgarian, Russian, English, German are also used.

Religion: Orthodoxy, there are Sunni Muslims.

Economy: Bulgaria is an industrial-agrarian country. GNP per capita. $1,334 (1995). The extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas is developed. The leading industry is mechanical engineering. Traditional export goods are canned fruits and vegetables, tobacco, wine, essential oils (1st place in the world in the production of rose oil). An important role traditionally belongs to foreign tourism (over 8 million people per year). Large ski resorts- Borovets, Pamporovo, seaside - Golden Sands, Albena, sunny Beach and etc.

Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGL), equal to 100 stotinki. In circulation there are coins and banknotes in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 leva, as well as banknotes of 10, 20, 50 leva. Since July 1, 1997, the lev has been strictly “tied” to the euro in the ratio of 1 lev per euro.

Main attractions: The country is known throughout Europe for its picturesque landscapes, seaside resorts Black Sea coast, an abundance of historical monuments and colorful folk rituals.

In Sofia, one of the most ancient cities in Europe, there are many wonderful examples of church and historical architecture. Most city tours begin from the walls of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Alexandronevsky Lavra, 1882 - 1912), built in honor of the 200 thousand Russian soldiers who died in the struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish rule. This is the largest cathedral in Bulgaria (area - 2600 sq. m., height - 52 m., 12 gilded bells are installed on the bell tower of the cathedral, the largest of which weighs 11,758 kg.) and the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans. In the crypt of the cathedral there is a Museum of Icons, and the interior of the cathedral amazes with the richness of its architectural forms, majestic paintings, icons and mosaics. Behind the cathedral is the Foreign Art Gallery building with an extensive collection of European, African and Oriental art.

Across the square from the cathedral is the Church of St. Sophia (VI century), which gave its name to the whole city. During Turkish rule, minarets were added to the temple and for a long time it functioned as a mosque, until two earthquakes of the 20th century destroyed the minarets, after which the mosque was closed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located near the walls of the church.

One of the most interesting sights of the capital is the Church of St. George, built of red brick on the site of a Roman rotunda - the oldest temple in Sofia. On the inside of the dome there are frescoes, the earliest of which date back to the 10th century, and on the outside there are remains of the streets of ancient Serdica (the Roman name of the city). Under the Rila Hotel, the ruins of a Roman residence with excellently preserved mosaics were discovered.

On the People's Assembly Square there is the majestic building of the National Assembly (1884) with an equestrian statue of the Russian Emperor Alexander II installed in front of it. Along Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard you can walk past the Russian Church of St. Nicholas (1913) and the Museum of Natural Sciences, to Batenberg Square, considered the center of Sofia. On the square there is the building of the former mausoleum of Georgiy Dimitrov, opposite which there are National Gallery Arts and the National Ethnographic Museum in the building of the former Royal Palace (1887). In the park east of the mausoleum there is the People's Theater named after. Ivan Vazov (1907) in the Baroque style. On the western side of the square, behind the building of the Bulgarian National Bank, lies the Buyuk-Jami Mosque (1496). In the area of ​​Largo Street there are the National Archaeological Museum, the Church of St. Peter of Samothrace (XIV century), the Bani Bashi Mosque (1576), the Sofia Synagogue (1909), an underground shopping mall and market (1911).

The most beautiful boulevard in the city is Vitosha Boulevard, which runs from the Easter Church, past numerous underground shopping galleries, to the Square of the Palace of Culture with a monument to the 1300th anniversary of Bulgaria. In the nearby building of the Palace of Justice (1936) there is National Museum history - one of the largest historical museums in the Balkans, famous for its collection of gold finds from the 4th century. BC e. from excavations at Panagyurishte. The museum also houses the only copy of the Bulgarian medieval chronicle - the "History" of John Skylitzes - the most important source of the history of the first Bulgarian Kingdom.

On Graf Ignatiev Street lies the Church of the Holy Seventh, rebuilt from the Black Mosque (1528). Also interesting is the Botanical Museum in the National botanical garden, Zoological Museum in the Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, Museum of the History of Sofia, City Art Gallery in Central Park, building of Sofia University. Kliment Ohridski and Sofia mineral baths, built on the site of Roman baths.

Boyana is a suburban neighborhood in the southwest of the city, adjacent to the foot of Vitosha (2290 m). In its upper part there is the small Boyana Church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with magnificent wall paintings from the 13th century. Mount Vitosha itself is a traditional place winter holidays, there are many mountain hotels, ski lifts, observation decks and enough developed infrastructure recreation.

119 km. to the south of the capital lies the famous Rila Monastery (10th century) - one of the spiritual centers of the country. On its territory there are such unique structures as a five-story tower (1335) with the Church of the Transfiguration, church gates (XIV century, now kept in the historical museum of the monastery), a monastery library with 16,000 volumes, Khrel's Tower, the five-domed Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , the original “magernitsa” - the monastery refectory, etc. Not far from Sofia, in the city of Pernik, there are the ruins of a Byzantine fortress, and in Bankya (17 km. west of the capital) - the best of the Bulgarian thermal resorts with odes of a “universal” composition. In the valley of the Struma River (76 km southeast of Sofia) there is the Zemen Monastery (13th century) with the unique Church of St. John the Evangelist, famous for its beautiful paintings.

To the city-reserve Veliko Tarnovo, ancient capital The Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393), is definitely worth a visit for inspection Royal Palace, the picturesque Patriarchal and Baldwin towers in the Tsarevets fortress on the hill of the same name, near which the “Sound and Light” show is regularly held, telling about the history of the city. Of interest are the picturesque quarter of Varusha, the monastery of St. Peter and Paul (XIII century) and Kapinovsky, as well as the churches of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica (XI century, the oldest in the city) and St. Forty Great Martyrs (1230). The city is home to the University. Cyril and Methodius is the second largest in the country, as well as excellent museums of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and the Renaissance Museum, numerous art galleries and many colorful houses in the national style.

In the vicinity of the city lie the picturesque spurs of the Stara Planina (" ancient mountain") with many caves and excellent conditions for rock climbing and trekking. At the top of the 1306-meter Shipka Pass there is a monument to Russian troops and Bulgarian volunteers, who became famous during the heroic defense of the pass from Turkish troops in August 1887. In Shipka itself (13 km from pass) there is a unique church (1896 - 1902), whose domes are cast from shell casings collected on the battlefield near the pass (the largest bell weighs 12 tons). The remains of Russian soldiers are buried in the church crypt, and on 34 marble slabs inside the temple. the names of Russian and Bulgarian soldiers who fell on Shipka and near Kazanlak are carved.

7 km. north of Veliko Tarnovo is the carefully restored Transfiguration Monastery (14th century) with wonderful frescoes by Zograf and icons by the master Dospevski (1864). On the other side of the river gorge. Yantra lies the Holy Trinity Monastery (1847), and 12 km. south of Veliko Tarnovo there is a unique monument of medieval architecture - the Kilifarevo Monastery (1348 - 1350, restored in 1718) with the beautiful Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (restored and rebuilt in 1840), the chapels of St. Ivan Rilski and St. Theodosius of Tarnovsky, which are decorated with icons of the best representatives of the Trevno school of painting.

3 km. To the northeast of Veliko Tarnovo lies the ancient village of Arbanasi, famous for its colorful stone houses of the 16th - 17th centuries, as well as the churches of the Nativity of Christ and the Archangel (17th century), considered monuments of national culture. And 30 km. from the city there is a balneological complex "Voneshcha Voda" with its own sources of healing mineral water.

Gabrovo is the world “capital of laughter” and a city interesting for its traditions, 49 km away. from Veliko Tarnovo. In Etyre (9 km from Gabrovo) there is an ethnographic museum under open air, where you can get acquainted with traditional folk crafts, unique folk cuisine and rituals.

Shumen - Big city, lying between Varna and Veliko Tarnovo and one of the centers of the Bulgarian Middle Ages. It is definitely worth visiting the famous brewery, Shumen Fortress (XII - XIV centuries, now it houses a museum), the Regional Historical Museum, as well as the Tombul Mosque (1744), considered the largest and most beautiful in Bulgaria, behind which is the Turkish covered market.

20 km. southwest of Shumen lies Preslav (821) - former capital The first Bulgarian kingdom. The most famous building of ancient Veliko Preslav was the round Golden Church (908, recently restored), interesting Archaeological Museum, ruins of the fortress walls of the citadel, royal palace and monasteries of the city.

Madara National Historic Site is 18 km away. east of Shumen. The city is famous for its caves, as well as the 25-meter rock relief “Madara Horseman” (8th century), a Roman villa and the walls of a medieval fortress on top of a cliff. In Pliska (681) there are interesting restored East Gate(IX century), fortress Grand Palace, Palace Church, Inner City and the ruins of the huge three-nave Great Basilica (865).

In Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city, be sure to see the Trimontium ("three hills") Old city) - a Roman forum, a theater with 3 thousand seats and the gates of Hissar Kapiy (II century AD), as well as the mosques of Dzhumaya (XV century) and Imaret (1445), the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena (1832). ) with a beautiful gallery of icons, the ruins of the Thracian city of Eumolpias (II century BC), the amphitheater of Philip II of Macedon, as well as the unique churches of St. Nedelya, St. Demetra and St. Marina (1854). The Plovdiv Archaeological Museum is considered one of the best in the country, and the Ethnographic Museum in the Koyumjoglu House with an excellent collection is also good national costumes, an art gallery in the Baklanov House and the National Revival Museum.

30 km. from Plovdiv is the Bachkovo Monastery (Bachkovo Manastir, 1083) with the beautiful churches of the Archangel Michael (XII century), the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1604) and the chapel of St. Nicholas, the interior of which was painted by the famous Zachary Zograf.

To the north-west of Plovdiv lies the resort area of ​​Hisarya (Isarya, Roman Augusta), famous medicinal properties its mineral springs (+27 - 51 C) since the times ancient Rome. Now there is a large balneological complex with numerous baths and fountains with mineral water. Also notable are the ruins of Roman buildings and the Turkish fortress of Hissar.

In the southwestern part of the Pirin Mountains there is the "most Small town in the country" - Melnik, famous for his wine cellars, the rocks "Melnik Pyramids", the Rozhen Monastery and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Valuable monuments of the Rozhen Monastery (XII - XIII centuries) are the Church of the Holy Mother of God, paintings on the southern wall (1661), as well as unique carved wooden iconostases and lecterns.

Bansko is a cute little town, the administrative center of the Pirin region. The town is known for its well-preserved Bulgarian Revival architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries. In the center is an ancient church, with a very natural stork’s nest and ancient bells. Narrow cobbled streets, traditional peasant houses made of natural stone. Many small, family-run restaurants - "mekhina". Eh...nothing compares to the wonderful Bulgarian mekhina, its good food, lovely owners and...amazingly low prices!

In Bansko there are a great variety of family pensions and hotels of various levels and classes. This is not the place for seekers of luxury and stardom, but for true connoisseurs of the beauty of this region, comfort, warmth and peace, I can only say - Good luck getting to Bansko!

The town is surrounded on all sides by powerful mountains topped with snow caps. The landscapes are amazing!

Arbanasi, Bozhentsi, Etar, Zheravna, Koprivshtitsa, Kotel, Melnik, Nessebar, Sozopol, Tryavna and Shiroko-Lyka are considered museum cities of world importance. After restoration, a unique monument of ancient Roman architecture was opened to visitors - the Sostra fortress in the ancient city of Troyan, located in the central part of Bulgaria on the banks of the White Osam River. Also interesting here is one of the main attractions of the country - the Troyan Monastery (XVI century), and ceramic workshops (they also brew rakia here, one of the best in the country).

Varna is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the third most populous city in Bulgaria. Magnificent beaches, prestigious tourist complexes, modern international Airport, biggest sea ​​port in the country, yacht club and warm mineral springs Varna region, turned the city into the summer capital of the country.

Founded back in 585 BC. e. by the Greeks under the name Odessos, the city is famous, first of all, for two complexes of Roman baths - those lying on Khan Krum Street date back to the 2nd - 3rd centuries, and the baths in the port area are a historical monument of the 4th century. Well-preserved stone walls, spacious halls, a palaestra with an area of ​​840 square meters. m. and a unique heating system, which makes these buildings (by the way, the third largest in Europe) worthy of special attention. Behind the thermal baths in the port area is located beautiful church St. Anastasia (1602), and to the southwest, in the area of ​​the Primorsky Gardens ( Marine Park) with exotic plants, lie Maritime Museum, one of the symbols of the city is the “Bridge of Wishes”, Zoo, Terrarium, Aquarium (1911) and the only Dolphinarium on the Balkan Peninsula (1984). The Marine Park itself, stretching for 8 km and having an excellent layout with many shady alleys, is one of the most charming places in the city.

The center of Varna is considered Cathedral St. Assumption of the Virgin Mary ("Cathedral", 1880 - 1910), famous for its frescoes and unique wood carvings in the design of the patriarchal throne and iconostasis. The Museum of History and Art (Archaeological) is located on an area of ​​2000 square meters. m. in the beautiful building of the former Maiden Gymnasium, and is considered the largest museum in the city. Its unique exhibition includes more than 55 thousand exhibits, from the early Paleolithic era to the late Middle Ages, including a unique gold collection from the 5th - 6th millennia BC. e.

Lying on a small rocky peninsula north of Pomorie and Burgas, the city-museum of Nessebar (Nessebar, ancient Messembria) is one of the oldest cities in Europe, under the auspices of UNESCO. There are many small churches, among which the most attractive are the Church of St. Stephen (11th century) and the Church of the Holy Virgin, famous for its miraculous icon, as well as a charming old mill, narrow cobblestone streets, a gentle sea, quaint white cliffs and wide sandy beaches , bordered sand dunes.

35 km. south of Burgas, on a small picturesque peninsula, lies the most ancient Greek colony on the shores of the Black Sea - Sozopol (Apollonia, 610 BC). The old and new (Harmanit) parts of the city are separated by a green park, and traditional wooden houses surrounded by gardens with bay windows and wooden stairs on a limestone foundation are business card resort Two sandy beach in the east provide excellent conditions for seaside recreation, and a huge variety of restaurants, taverns, cafes, bars and discos, a small archaeological museum with the richest collection Greek vases, original architecture of buildings, picturesque churches - St. Theotokos, St. Cyril and Methodius, St. Zosima, the tiny Church of the Virgin Mary and the local Art Gallery allow you to spend your vacation profitably. The upper reaches of the Ropotamo River flowing through Sozopol have been declared nature reserve.

Wineries, excellent products and regular wine exhibitions have made Bulgaria one of the centers of “wine” tourism.

Close attention in Bulgaria is paid to the development of health tourism, which is facilitated by the presence of over 2 thousand mineral water sources in the country. One of the traditional balneological resorts of the country is Velingrad, which has on its territory more than 80 sources of mineral water, which can be grouped into four categories, depending on their temperature and chemical composition. Temperature local water varies from +26 C to +95 C, and chemical composition so diverse that, as they say here, almost all diseases can be treated with water, just by changing the sources.

Historical sketch: The first people appeared here more than 500 thousand years ago. In 4 thousand BC. e. settlements of the ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, in the 5th century. BC e. created their own state here - Thrace. Thrace, located at the junction of modern Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, was part of the ancient Greek states as a province, and in the 1st-4th centuries. - Roman Empire. The legendary gladiator Spartacus was a Thracian. In the 7th century the Slavs who came from across the Danube assimilated local population and entered into an alliance with a small group of proto-Bulgarians, forming the First Bulgarian Kingdom in 680. At the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. it owned almost the entire Balkan Peninsula. Christianity was introduced in 865. But already in the middle of the 10th century. The Bulgarian-Slavic state was conquered by Byzantium. As a result of the uprising raised by the brothers Peter and Asen, the country regained its independence. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed at the end. 14th century, conquered by the Turks. The Muslim yoke lasted for almost 500 years and was destroyed after Turkey's defeat in the war with Russia (1877-78). In 1908, the independent Third Bulgarian Kingdom arose. In the First World War, Bulgaria became an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary. During World War II, Bulgaria sided with Germany (in March 1941 it officially joined the Axis countries). After defeat in World War II, Bulgaria fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR, and power passed to the communists. From the beginning 1990s the construction of a democratic society began. Bulgaria became the first post-communist country where the former ruling dynasty returned to power (albeit through democratic means). In 2001, Simeon of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, leader of the Monarchist Party, won the parliamentary elections. But the positions of the Socialist Party (former communists) are also strong. Bulgaria is a candidate for NATO and the EU.

Capital of Bulgaria- City of Sofia.
There are more than 200 museums in the country.
The main ones are located in Sofia, for example:

— National Museum of Natural History;
— National Ethnographic Museum;
— Zoological Museum in the zoo;
— Botanical Museum;
— Museum of the History of Sofia;
— National Art Gallery.
— National Archaeological Museum;

Not far from Sofia is the Boyana Church with its unique frescoes.
In the city of Pernik, which is also located near the capital, there are the ruins of a Byzantine fortress.
Not far from the city of Plovdiv there is a 11th century monastery - the Bachkovo Monastery.

Among the architectural monuments of Sofia:
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the 19th century, erected in honor of the fallen Russian soldiers, Remains of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral - VI century, Buyul Jamia Mosque - XV century, St. George's Cathedral - IV century;

Religion and language in Bulgaria:

The population of Bulgaria is 7,365,000 people. Ethnic groups inhabiting it: Bulgarians - 85%, Turks - 9%, Gypsies - 4.5% and other nationalities Armenians, Greeks, Macedonians, etc. - 1.5%.
Official language The country is Bulgarian, the Cyrillic alphabet is used in writing.

Foreign languages ​​used in the country are English, German, French and Russian.
Religion - Orthodoxy - 85%, Islam about 13%, there are also Catholics, Protestants and Jews.
The Church in Bulgaria is autonomous and is headed by Patriarch Neophytos.

Geography and nature.

Bulgaria is located in the southeast of Europe, extends on the Balkan Peninsula, borders on Romania in the north and east of the country, Macedonia and Serbia in the west, and Greece and Turkey in the south of the country.
Most of The territory of the country is mountainous or hilly with rich forests - mixed or coniferous forest.
From the Black Sea to the north-west, the country is crossed by the Balkan Mountains, they form a watershed between Aegean Sea and the Danube.

In the south, the border with Greece runs along the Rhodope Mountains.
The highest point in Bulgaria is Mount Musala 2925 m, located in southwest Bulgaria in the Rila Mountains.
Closer to the east there are several valleys, one of them is the Thracian Valley.

The most large river in Bulgaria it is the Danube, with its tributaries Yantra and Iskar.
Other rivers in Bulgaria are Kamchia, Struma and Maritsa.

Attractions:

Museum cities of world importance are Veliko Tarnovo, Tryavna, Arbanasi, Bozhentsi, Zheravna, Kotel, Koprivshtitsa, Melnik, Nessebar, Sozopol, Balchik, Shiroko-Lika and Plovdiv.
However, most tourists are attracted to Bulgaria by its beautiful Black Sea beaches located in the vicinity of Varna.
“Pont Euxine” was the name given to the Black Sea by the ancient Greeks, which means hospitable sea.
Indeed, on the Bulgarian Riviera the sea is hospitable and tempting - without ebbs and flows, clean and calm.
The famous resorts, the pearls of Bulgaria, are Albena, Golden Sands, St. Constantine and Elena, in the south Sunny Beach and St. Vlas.
Although there is also a category of vacationers who prefer to combine sea ​​holiday with the romance of ancient cities such as Balchik, Nessebar and Sozopol.
Convenient road, sea, rail and air Transport, in Varna and Burgas, connect the Bulgarian Riviera with any country and also with the whole world.
Golden Sands resort is located in the most ecologically clean area of ​​the Black Sea coast, in national park. The distance to Varna is about 18 km. The Golden Sands resort has many hotels, complexes, and various types of entertainment, including a water park, restaurants, clubs, and shops. It’s a good place for both young people to relax and spend family holiday with children - the pine forest gives the air a special and healthy resinous taste, and in addition, the combination of the smell of the sea gives an incredible combination that gives delight.

In the southern part of Bulgaria is the Sunny Beach resort, located in a beautiful bay. Not far from the resort there is an architectural and historical monument that should definitely be visited - ancient city Nessebar.
The beach strip here is 8 kilometers long and 40 meters wide.
There are many hotels, holiday complexes, a lot of night clubs, various types of entertainment.
If you are a lover of winter holidays and skiing We definitely recommend visiting famous ski resorts such as Pamporovo, Bansko and Borovets.
The Pamporovo resort is located in the picturesque region of the Rhodope Mountains, ideal for ardent ski and snowboard enthusiasts! The trails here are excellent and always well maintained.
If in addition to skiing and snowboarding you are a lover nightlife and shopping, we recommend going to Bansko.

Climate and weather in Bulgaria:

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The request for "NRB" is redirected here, see also "NRB (meanings)" People's Republic of Bulgaria People's Republic of Bulgaria sovereign socialist state ... Wikipedia

See Bulgaria... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

IV.7.7. People's Republic of Bulgaria (partocracy) (09/15/1946 - 11/5/1991)- ⇑ ... Rulers of the World

IV.7.8. Republic of Bulgaria (from 5.11.1991)- ⇑ ... Rulers of the World

Republic of Bulgaria, state in Southern Europe. The name Bulgaria (България) is derived from the name of the Bulgarians. Geographical names world: Toponymic dictionary. M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 ... Geographical encyclopedia

Republic of Bulgaria, a state in Eastern Europe. Bulgaria is located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders on the north with Romania along the Danube, on the south on Greece and Turkey, on the west on Yugoslavia and Macedonia. In the east it is washed... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

History of Bulgaria ... Wikipedia

BULGARIA- REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA Country on southeast Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula (from 1946 to 1990 called the People's Republic of Bulgaria). In the north it borders with Romania, in the south with Turkey and Greece, in the west with Serbia and the former... ... Cities and countries

BULGARIA- (Republic of Bulgaria; Bulgarian Republic of Bulgaria), state in the Balkan Peninsula. Territory: 110994 sq. km. Capital: Sofia (1310 thousand people 2002). Largest cities: Varna, Plovdiv, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Shumen, Ruse. State language: Bulgarian.... ... Orthodox Encyclopedia

Books

• The Institutional Context of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies: A Comparison of University Students' Perceptions in Nine Countries, R. B. Jonni. In this study, the authors compared and contrasted university students' perceptions of the institutional environment for entrepreneurship development in nine emerging economies in three... eBook
• Pebble with a hole, Marcel Salimov. It happens: a master of laughter known not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders, laureate of the international literary awards “Aleko” (Bulgaria), named after Sergei Mikhalkov (Russia) and...

Geography of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a state in southeastern Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula, in its eastern part. Bulgaria is washed by the Black Sea. On land, the country borders Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Romania and Macedonia. The main territory of the country is occupied by mountain ranges: Sredna Gora, Stara Planina, Rhodopes, Pirin, Rila, where Mount Musala is located - the highest point of the Balkan Peninsula with an altitude of 2925 m. In the northern part of Bulgaria there is the Lower Danube Plain, in the south - the Upper Thracian Lowland, in the central part - the Kazanlak Basin. Approximately a third of the territory of Bulgaria is occupied by forests.

State structure of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic, headed by a president who is directly elected for a 5-year term.

Weather in Bulgaria

The north of Bulgaria is characterized by a temperate continental climate, the Thracian Plain is steppe, and on the coast the climate is close to Mediterranean.

In the Danube Plain, more than 600 mm of precipitation falls annually; in early summer, precipitation falls more heavily. In the Thracian Plain, drought begins already in August, and there is less precipitation here. 450-500mm of precipitation in Eastern Dobruja and in the Maritsa and Tundzha rivers. But in the mountainous regions (Rila, Pirin, Rhodopes and Balkans) more than 1000 mm of precipitation falls.

Language of Bulgaria

The official language is Bulgarian.

Almost everywhere you can communicate in Russian. German, English, and French are also quite common.

Religion of Bulgaria

Most of the population of Bulgaria, approximately 85%, are Orthodox Christians, about 12% are Sunni Muslims. The country has 0.8% Jews and 0.5% Protestants and Catholics each.

Currency of Bulgaria

The monetary unit of Bulgaria is the lev, there are 100 stotinki in one lev.

Bulgarian customs restrictions

You are allowed to import into Bulgaria without paying duties 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes, wine (2 liters), or 1 liter of strong alcoholic drink, you can also import gifts and souvenirs in a reasonable amount; you can import foreign currency without restrictions. You just need to remember that if you import currency in an amount exceeding 10,000 US dollars, you need to fill out a customs declaration. You also need to declare video cameras, computers, jewelry and other expensive items.

When exporting valuables from Bulgaria, they must be included in the customs declaration. Foreign currency in the amount of less than $1,000 can be exported without providing documents; the amount from $1,000 to $10,000 must be entered in the declaration. If currency exceeding $10,000 is exported from the country, you must provide papers that explain the origin of the money.

National characteristics of Bulgaria

Traditions

One of the distinctive features of Bulgarians is the way they express their agreement or disagreement. Unlike the nod of the head accepted in Russia as a sign of agreement, the residents of Bulgaria shake their heads, and if the answer is negative, they nod.

Tips

As a rule, a restaurant bill also includes the cost of service. If tips are not included in the bill, then it is customary to leave a tip of about 10-15% of the bill amount. At the hairdresser and in a taxi, a tip of 10% of the total bill is left. At the hotel, you can leave a tip in leva equivalent to a dollar.

Office hours

On weekdays, stores are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8 to 11:30, then break until 14:00 and continue to work until 18:00; on Saturdays, customers are welcome in banks from 8:30 to 11:30.

Mains voltage:

220V

Code of the country:

+359

Geographic first level domain name:

.bg

Emergency numbers:

Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Fire protection - 160
Road assistance - 146

Representative offices of Bulgaria in Russia:

consulate-General

Address: Moscow, 119590 Moscow, Mosfilmovskaya 66
phone: 143-67-00
fax: 232-33-02
www.bulgaria.ru

Useful information for tourists about Bulgaria, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Bulgaria, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Bulgaria.

Geography of Bulgaria

A state in South-Eastern Europe, in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Washed by the Black Sea. It borders Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Macedonia and Romania. Most of the country is mountain ranges Stara Planina, Sredna Gora, Rila with Mount Musala (the highest point of the Balkan Peninsula, 2925 m), Pirin, Rhodopes. In the north of Bulgaria there is the Lower Danube Plain, in the center there is the Kazanlak Basin, to the south there is the vast Upper Thracian Lowland. Forests occupy about a third of the territory, mostly deciduous.

,

State

State structure

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. Elected by direct vote for a term of five years.

Language

Official language: Bulgarian

Mostly they speak Russian well. In use - English, German and French.

Religion

More than 85% of the country's residents are Orthodox Christians, 12% of the population are Sunni Muslims. Jews make up 0.8%, Catholics - 0.5%, Protestants - 0.5%.

Currency

International name: BGN

One lion consists of 100 stotinki. In circulation there are coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 leva, as well as banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 leva.

History of Bulgaria

The mild climate and rich nature of Bulgaria have long attracted settlers. More than 500 thousand years ago, the first people appeared here, and in the 4th millennium BC settlements of ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, finally settled in the territory modern Bulgaria and in the 5th century BC managed to create its own state, which became the birthplace of the legendary gladiator leader - Spartacus.

The most powerful powers of the ancient world spared no effort to conquer the small kingdom. This land had to survive the invasions of Greek colonists, Scythians, Persians and Macedonians. In the 1st century AD, the Romans managed to conquer the Thracians and establish dominance over them for 400 years. From the end of the 4th century, during the era of the Great Migration of Peoples, raids by neighboring tribes resumed, which contributed to a change in the ethnic composition. In the 7th century, the Slavs who came from across the Danube assimilated the local population and, from the second half of the 7th century, entered into an alliance with a small group of proto-Bulgarians (part of the Turkic-speaking people displaced by the Khazars from the lower reaches of the Kuban). Thus, in 680, the First Bulgarian Kingdom was formed. At the turn of the 9th–10th centuries, it reached its greatest power, undividedly owning almost the entire Balkan Peninsula. But already in the middle of the 10th century, the Bulgarian-Slavic state entered a period of severe crisis and at the beginning of the 11th century lost its independence, submitting to Byzantium. A successful uprising against the enslavers, raised by the brothers Peter and Asen, returned independence to the country. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed.

The invasion of the Mongol-Tatars, exhausting competition for hegemony in the Balkans with Serbia and Byzantium, and internal turmoil led to the collapse of the kingdom and its conquest by the Turks at the end of the 14th century. The darkest period of Bulgarian history began - the Muslim yoke, which lasted almost 500 years. It was destroyed after Turkey's defeat in the war with Russia (1877–1878) thanks to the joint actions of the rebels and the Russian army. In 1908, the independent Third Bulgarian Kingdom arose. However, Germany tried to tear him away from Russia and dragged him into the First World War on its side. Despite the defeat in the war, the ruling circles of the state remained focused on Germany and entered into an alliance with Hitler. A new defeat in World War II made it possible to establish a republic in the country, Bulgaria fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR, and all power passed to the communists. With the collapse of the USSR in the early 1990s, this long-suffering land began the construction of a democratic society.

The mild climate and rich nature of Bulgaria have long attracted settlers. More than 500 thousand years ago, the first people appeared here, and in the 4th millennium BC settlements of ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, finally settled on the territory of modern Bulgaria and in the 5th century BC managed to create their own state, which became the birthplace of the legendary gladiator leader - Spartacus....

Popular attractions

Tourism in Bulgaria

Where to stay

Tourist resorts in Bulgaria are characterized by a special climate, developed hotel facilities, excursions and entertainment. Hotels in Bulgaria are among the most inexpensive in Europe. All local hotels correspond to the standard European classification: from one to five stars. Most hotels in Bulgaria are three and four star, which makes the country accessible for holidays to people with any financial capabilities.

Certification of hotels in the country is mandatory. Thanks to this, the quality of service always corresponds to the stated stars. Stars are assigned not only to hotels, but also to campsites, motels, and rental apartments, depending on the level of services provided. Each accommodation option in Bulgaria has its own star rating threshold, namely: private hotels, motels and rental apartments cannot have more than three stars. In turn, campsites and rural cabins are rated between one and two stars.

One-star hotels in Bulgaria have minimal amenities. Mandatory conditions for a hotel of this class are: availability of parking, telephones, safes and postal service. Unlike one-star hotels, the traditional requirements for two-star hotels include the mandatory presence of a minibar and TV in the room, as well as laundry and dry cleaning services. Three star hotels Bulgaria has a children's playground, a conference room, as well as the possibility of renting a car and guide services. In addition to the services available in hotels of a lower class, a four-star hotel must have a fitness center, a swimming pool and parking. Also an unspoken standard are room service, five meals a day and Internet in the room. A five-star hotel, according to Bulgarian standards, is a hotel complex that includes conference rooms, shops, restaurants, bars, a gym, a spa center, a beauty salon and 24-hour room service.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Bulgaria

In the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula is Bulgaria - one of the most attractive tourist countries. Sun and azure sea, magnificent beaches and mineral springs, mountains and beautiful ski slopes, important historical monuments and traditional Bulgarian cuisine will make your holiday varied and unforgettable. Natural attractions and rich cultural and historical heritage introduce the history and national traditions this colorful country.

The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, is one of the oldest European cities. Since ancient times it has been known for its mineral and thermal springs. One of the most impressive sights not only of the capital, but of the whole country is the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, located on the Sofia square of the same name. Beautiful architectural structure made of granite and white stone was erected in honor of the liberation of Bulgaria. Among most interesting places of the city, it is worth highlighting the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Rotunda of St. George, the Cathedral of the Light of the Week (Holy Resurrection), the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Buyuk Mosque (Archaeological Museum), the Dragalevsky Monastery, the National historical Museum and National art gallery Bulgaria.

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and one of the most beautiful cities Balkan. Its history goes back about three thousand years. The ruins of various ancient buildings have been preserved here to this day: an amphitheater, a Roman market, a stadium, a basilica, and baths. The old part of the city is surrounded by the remains of a stone Thracian fortress. The Imaret and Dzhumaya mosques have been preserved since the Ottoman rule. Also among the attractions of Plovdiv are the Church of St. Marina, the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, the Church of St. Dimitar, as well as the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums.

The city of Varna (and its surrounding areas), located on the Black Sea coast, is not only a popular Bulgarian resort, but also important cultural center. Here you can see great amount important historical sites and museums. The symbol of the city is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, located on Cyril and Methodius Square. In Varna there is a wonderful Seaside Park “Morska Gradina”, which houses the Palace of Culture and Sports, a zoo, a dolphinarium, a planetarium, an Aquarium and a Museum of Nature. Also of great interest is the Archaeological Museum, the pride of which is the collection of gold items from the 6th millennium BC. In the suburbs of Varna, it is worth visiting the Evksinograd Palace, surrounded by a luxurious park, the valley " Stone forest» with impressive columns (up to 6 m high), which are 50 million years old and the Aladzha Monastery.

Bulgarian cuisine

Dishes of Bulgarian cuisine are similar to dishes of Armenian and Georgian cuisines. Particularly close to Bulgarian are dishes such as kharcho soup, piti, kebabs, lula kebab, basturma, chakhokhbili.

Many Bulgarian National dishes cooked on a skar - a large oven with a metal grate. Kebapcheta, lamb skewers, kebabs, fillets, chickens, chops, zrazy stuffed with sweet peppers, and game dishes are cooked on the oven grates.

In Bulgarian cuisine, fresh and pickled vegetables are widely used; all kinds of vegetable dishes and side dishes are prepared from them. Bulgarian chefs perfectly combine vegetables with fish, meat, flour, egg and dairy products.

It is typical for Bulgarian cuisine to use sour milk, curdled milk, feta cheese and kashkavala cheese (sheep cheese) for preparing cold appetizers, soups and main courses.

When using cheese as food, Bulgarian chefs often heat-treat it. To do this, the cheese is mixed with butter, wrapped in parchment paper and heated. When hot, feta cheese acquires a pleasant taste and aroma, becomes tender, soft and juicy. Among the first courses, chicken broth with egg yolk, vegetable soup with pasta, zucchini soup, pork soup with apples, chorba, lamb soup, kharcho soup, rassolnik, pureed soups from various vegetables and meat products and tarators are very popular (cold soups with sour milk).

Common second courses include lamb, veal and pork with cabbage, pork cutlets, lula kebab, steaks, fillets, kebabs and lamb stews, gyuvechi - dishes made from meat, rice and vegetables, plakia - dishes made from vegetables, onions, garlic and seasonings, stewed with the addition of vegetable oil, yakhni - stewed meat with vegetables and onions or only vegetables with onions, kebabs - pieces of meat fried on a spit, and of course, kebapcheta - short sausages made of minced meat, fried on a grill over hot hardwood coals trees, cabbage rolls, stuffed tomatoes and zucchini, omelettes. Separately to the second meat dishes Salads are served (tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweet peppers, green beans, green salad).