Short description
   Total area: 110 994 km²
   Situation: southeastern part of Europe, the Balkan peninsula,
   capital: Sofia (population: 1 350 000)
   Cities: Plovdiv (339 000 people), Varna (325 000 people), Bourgas (210 000 people), Rousse (162 000 people).
   The longest river: Iskar (368 km)
   Highest peak: Musala (2925 km) Coastline: 354 km
   Population: 7,54 mil. (2003) Population density: 71/km²
   Increase in population: -1,09 (2003)
   Life expectancy at birth - male: 68 years and female: 75 years
   Ethnic groups Bulgarian Turks (10%), Roma, Macedonian and others (about 5%)
   Religion: Bulgarian Orthodox (88%), Muslim (10%)
   Official language: Bulgarian
   Secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdown
   Government type: parliamentary democracy

   History
   4 century B.C.: Thracian tribes settled in the Balkan Peninsula.
   7 century B.C.: Greeks founded the first Black Sea colonies: Odesos (Varna), Mesembrya (Nessebar), Dionisopolis (Balchik)
   5/4 century B.C.: Growth of the Thracian kingdom.
   4/3 century B.C.: The Balkans fell under the power of the Roman Empire.
   681-1018: Foundation of the first Bulgarian State. Its capital was Pliska. It was ruled by a khan (a tsar).
   855: Cyrilus and Metodius created the Bulgarian alphabet.
   865: Tsar Boris became converted to Christianity and all the people accepted the cultural and religious canon.
   893-927: Under Tsar Simeon the First Bulgarian State reached its vigorous political and military growth. It is the greatest extension of the Bulgarian territory to the German Empire.
   927-968: Decline of the state under Tsar Petar. Despite the numerous rebellions, Bulgaria was conquered by the Byzantium Empire. Hermits like Ivan Rilsky, who founded the Rilla Monastery, refused the lay life and expressed his discontent.
   1185-1187: The two brothers-Petar and Assen leaded a rebellion against Byzantium and in 1187 the emperor made peace with them. Tarnovo was proclaimed a new capital (1185-1393).
   1197-1241: Under Tsar Kaloyan (1197-1279) and especially under Tsar Ivan Assen II (1218-1279) North Albania, Macedonia and Western Thracia were incorporated into the Bulgarian territory.
   1393: Ottomans attacked Bulgaria and destroyed Tarnovo. In the next five centuries Bulgaria was converted into a region of the Ottoman Empire.
   1876: The April Rebellion was a sign for a bloody revenge to the Ottomans. More than 20 000 Bulgarian people were killed.
   1978: On March 3 with the San Stefano annex Bulgaria became an independent country but the southern part was under Ottoman control still 1912.
   1912/13: Bulgarians, Greeks and Serbians attempted to eliminate the Turkish influence in the First Balkan war against Turkey. It ended with the London annex signed in May .In June the Second Balkan war started. Bulgaria was not a winner.
   1914/18: During the First World War Bulgaria declared neutrality. Later participate took the side of Germany and Austria. In September, 1918 declared surrender. In October Ferdinand abdicated to the advantage of his son-Boris. 1923: A Rebellion against the government, leaded by Stamboliiski. The Prime Minister was killed.
   1941: Bulgaria took part in the Second World War back Germany. Under the pressure of the people, Tsar Boris refused to extradite about 50 000 Bulgarian Jewish people.
   1944: The Red Army crossed the Danube and declared war to Bulgaria.
   1946: Monarchy turned to popular democracy with referendum. The Fatherland Front assumed power, began the time of communism.
   1948/54: Stalinn period of Chervenkov
   1962/89: Government of Todor Zhivkov
   10/11/1989: Todor Zhivkov resigned. Beginning of democracy processes with the Union of democratic forces
   1990: The first free elections-socialists won majority
   1991: New elections, ended with a democratic government. The Union of democratic forces won 34, 4 the electors. 1994: Socialists won the elections
   1996/97: High inflation; pre-term elections in April 1997 won by the united democratic forces. Ivan Kostov became a Prime minister.
   1999: Monetary reform- Bulgarian currency was adopted to German mark and later with euro.
   2000: Negotiating an agreement for joining EU.
   2001: Returning of the ex- king of Bulgaria-Simeon Sax-Coburgh-Gotha who became a leader of a new party.
   April 2004: Bulgaria became a member of NATO
   2007: Bulgaria is set to join EU

   Population
   7, 54 million people, concentrated mainly in the largest cities. Density of population: 71 people to km square.
   Orthodox Church: more than 60% of the Bulgarian population is Bulgarian Orthodox. Bulgarian church history is closely connected with the history of the country. It is a part of the Bulgarian culture and is important for conserving Bulgarian writing records. The church has survived during the Ottoman slavery and the 45 years of communism.
   Ethnic groups: Turks (about 10%), Gipsy, Armenian and others (about 5%). More than 100 years after the Liberation of Bulgaria, a lot of Turks think it is their country. The largest ethnic group is concentrated mainly in the region of the towns of Shumen,Razgrad and Targovishte, and also the territory of the Western Rhodope Mountains. Other ethnic groups are Jewish, gagauzi,karakachani. All the ethnic groups live in peace together.

   Culture and customs
   Bulgaria has an impressive common heritage. More than 10 000 Thracian mounds have been found. They represent various examples of the ancient culture- ordinary tombs, funeral cameras, complexes with one entrance (dromos), narthex and real funeral cameras. Thracian and Greek mythology influence mutually. After 7 century B.C. arose the first Greek settlements in the territory of Bulgaria. The Greek colonies have been conserved up to the present day on the Black Sea. Roman and Turkish yoke are connected with impressive constructions. Places of interest are the Plovdiv theatre and Rilla Monastery.
   Literature: Unfortunately, there are few samples of Bulgarian works translated into German or English. It is pity that the country with the most ancient Slavs literature remained in the background.
   Music: It is a part of the cultural identity of the Bulgarians. During the 500 years of the Ottoman slavery, songs represented hopes, fears and everyday life of ordinary people.

   Economy
   After the collapse of socialism in 1989, the march to market economic structure leaded the unstable economy to collapse. On the way to international competitive power taken with privatization, is obstacle by insufficiency of capitals and want of know-how. In 1996/97 Bulgaria was in critical economic and bank crisis. Today Bulgaria is one of the most stable countries in the region, which is a fact of importance for the increasing trust of the European countries. It is achieved fixed rate of the Bulgarian currency to European euro (1 euro = 1,95583 lev). In 2007 Bulgaria is set to join EU. It is expected a great tourism success.

   Relief
   Bulgaria is situated in the eastern part of Europe. Its maximum length from west to east is 520 km, and from north to south - 330 km. Bulgaria shares borders with Romania to north, with Macedonia and Serbia to west, with Greece and Turkey to south, and with Black Sea to east. The coastline is 354 km long. The Black Sea is semi-closed sea with low salt content of about 18. The average temperature in winter is 23 degrees. More than 50% of the coastline is beaches-wide and long, covered with fine sands. There are a few lakes in Bulgaria. Very impressive and fascinating are the small karst lakes in the Pirin and Rilla mountains. 1/3 part of the territory is mountain ranges. The magnificent Balkan Mountains divides the country into two parts. The highest point here is the peak of Botev (2376 m). To north is the Danube valley. Between the Balkan range and Sredna gora (1604 m) in south, lay the Zadbalkanski valleys. In north of Sredna gora and in south of Sofia is located the Vitosha mountain (2290 m). People from Sofia often walk and rest there, and the mountain is also an important source of fresh water and clear air. South of Vitosha there are two mountain ranges - Pirin and Rilla, which could be called the Bulgarian Alps. The highest point in the whole Balkan peninsula is Musala (2925 m), situated in the Rilla mountains. The highest point of Pirin is the peak of Vihren (2915 m). Near to Rilla and Pirin are the Rhodope Mountains. It is the largest one in whole southeast Europe, with a highest point called Goliam Perelik - 2191 m. Bulgaria has limited water sources. More of the rivers are short, the only one navigable is the Danube river. Iskar is the longest river (368 km), next is Maritsa (322 km). Bulgaria has plenty of mineral springs (over 500) and in reference to that it takes one of the leading positions in Europe.

   Climate
   The average temperature in summer is 23 degrees. Extremely high temperatures are rare. Duration of sun shining is just like in Greece - about 2500 hours per year. In summer there are brief scattered showers, and June is the dampest month of Bulgarian Black Sea region. The average quantity of rainfalls is 672 mm; on the coastline is 400/500 mm mainly in autumn and winter. In winter there is snow about 150 days, from December to May and winter resorts offer great places for nice holiday. In North Bulgaria there is snow about 50/60 days.

   Food & Drinks
   Food: Bulgarian meal is more than excellent and traditionally starts with cold entrees, a soup or a salad with rakia (Bulgarian traditional drink). Chips became traditional garnish. As a dessert there is a great choice of Turkish sweets and Bulgarian cakes with cream. Typical Bulgarian dishes are:
   - Shopska salad: cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, pepper, seasoning and cheese.
   - Banitsa: warm baking with cheese staffing.
   - Tarator: cold soup made of yoghurt and cucumbers.
   - Kebapcheta: meat rolls with a lot of spice.
   - Gjuvetch: it is made of meat, vegetables and potatoes.
   - Kavarma: meat, potatoes, mushrooms and onion baked.
   - Cabbage and vine leaves sarmi: leaves with stuffing of chopped meat, onion and rice. Unique for Bulgarian cuisine honey, yoghurt and kashkaval (cheese made of yoghurt).

   Drinks: There is a traditional drink called rakia which is served before dining. It is made of grapes, plums, apricots or other fruits. Bulgarian alcohol drinks (rakia, cognac and anise flavored brandy) are famous all over the world. Almost every region has its own wine. In the surroundings of Sliven There is Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot., and near to Assenovgrad-red Mavrud. "Wines of Melnik" are famous and refined and come from the southwest Bulgaria. The most refined Bulgarian white wine are: Misket from Straldza, Traminer from Khan Krum, Dimiat and Sauvignon Blanc from Targovishte, etc. The most preferred beers are Zagorka, Kamenitsa, Astika and Ledenika.

   Holidays and traditions
   The change from the end of 1989 have reflected on the Bulgarian customs. It refers to change processes which have not completed yet. Since then a lot of customs connected with socialism have been forgotten and others, Christian, have been revived.
   New Year's morning - Survakane: little children tap their parents'back with decorated cornel twigs. Christmas Eve: traditionally seven vegetarian dishes are served on the table, symbolizing people`s hope that next year will be as rich as the previous. Very important is a small loaf of bread with a coin in it. The person who takes the coin will have great luck next year.
   Easter: it is famous for the eggs, painted in various colors and is beloved by children. Everybody has an Easter egg and there is a "fight" with them. It is believed that the owner of the not broken egg will be healthy all the year.
   Yordanovden: on January 6 a man throws a wooden cross into the frozen waters of a river. Men must take it out.
   Ivanovden: it is celebrated on January 7. That day newly-married couples visit their best men and bring them wine, rakia, roasted duck and banitsa.
   14 February: a feast of vine-growers and wine. Then everybody starts cutting the vineyard.
   1 March: it is unique with special gifts called "martenitsi" - twisted red and white crewels. They symbolize happiness and health and originate in ancient pagan traditions.
   Tsvetnitsa: that feast is dedicated to all the people bringing names of flowers: Rose, Daisy, Lilly and so on.
   3 March: national holiday of Bulgaria.
   6 May: Geogeovden:the main dish is a roasted lamb.
   6 December: Nikulden:the main dish is a carp or another fish.

• Sofia
• Plovdiv
• Varna
• Pleven
• Gabrovo
• Troian
• Blagoevgrad
• Nessebar