Information about Bulgaria and the Bulgarian property market
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Bulgaria shares borders with Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, Greece, and Turkey. Two mountain ranges and two great valleys mark the topography of Bulgaria, a country the size of Tennessee and situated on the Black Sea. The Maritsa is Bulgaria's principal river, and the Danube also flows through the country.
Flag:
Government:
Parliamentary democracy.
History:
The Thracians lived in what is now known as Bulgaria from about 3500 B.C. They were incorporated into the Roman Empire by the first century A.D. At the decline of the empire, the Goths, Huns, Bulgars, and Avars invaded. The Bulgars, who crossed the Danube from the north in 679, took control of the region. Although the country bears the name of the Bulgars, the Bulgar language and culture died out, replaced by a Slavic language, writing, and religion. In 865, Boris I adopted Orthodox Christianity. The Bulgars twice conquered most of the Balkan peninsula between 893 and 1280. But in 1396 they were invaded by the Ottoman Empire, which made Bulgaria a Turkish province until 1878. Ottoman rule was harsh and inescapable, given Bulgaria's proximity to its oppressor. In 1878, Russia forced Turkey to give Bulgaria its independence after the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). But the European powers, fearing Russia's and Bulgaria's dominance in the Balkans, intervened at the Congress of Berlin (1878), limiting Bulgaria's territory and fashioning it into a small principality ruled by Alexander of Battenburg, the nephew of the Russian czar.
Alexander was succeeded in 1887 by Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who declared a kingdom independent of the Ottoman Empire on Oct. 5, 1908. In the First Balkan War (1912–1913), Bulgaria and the other members of the Balkan League fought against Turkey to regain Balkan territory. Angered by the small portion of Macedonia it received after the battle—it considered Macedonia an integral part of Bulgaria—the country instigated the Second Balkan War (June–Aug. 1913) against Turkey as well as its former allies. Bulgaria lost the war and all the territory it had gained in the First Balkan War. Bulgaria joined Germany in World War I in the hope of again gaining Macedonia. After this second failure, Ferdinand abdicated in favour of his son in 1918. Boris III squandered Bulgaria's resources and assumed dictatorial powers in 1934–1935. Bulgaria fought on the side of the Nazis in World War II, but after Russia declared war on Bulgaria on Sept. 5, 1944, Bulgaria switched sides. Three days later, on Sept. 9, 1944, a Communist coalition took control of the country and set up a government under Kimon Georgiev.
A Soviet-style People's Republic was established in 1947 and Bulgaria acquired the reputation of being the most slavishly loyal to Moscow of all the East European Communist countries. The general secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party, Todor Zhikov, resigned in 1989 after 35 years in power. His successor, Peter Mladenov, purged the Politburo, ended the Communist monopoly on power, and held free elections in May 1990 that led to a surprising victory for the Communist Party, renamed the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). Mladenov was forced to resign in July 1990.
In Oct. 1991, the Union of Democratic Forces won, forming Bulgaria's first non-Communist government since 1946. Power shifted back and forth between the pro-Western Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and the BSP during the 1990s. The economy continued to deteriorate amid growing concern over the spread of organized crime. A new UDF government, led by Prime Minister Ivan Kostov, was elected in 1997 to overhaul the economic system and institute reforms aimed at stemming corruption. Progress on both fronts remained slow. As a result, the UDF lost the July 2001 election to the former king of Bulgaria, leader of the Simeon II National Movement (SNM). The new prime minister, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Simeon II), had been dethroned 55 years earlier (at age nine) during the Communist takeover of the country. Bulgaria became a member of NATO in 2004. In 2005, the EU approved its membership for 2007, subject to the implementation of reforms, especially the cleaning up of corruption and organized crime.
In June 2005 general elections, no party received a clear majority, and a coalition government was formed with Socialist Party leader Sergei Stanishev as the new prime minister.
Complete country info including money and population:
Republic of Bulgaria
President: Georgi Purvanov (2002)
Prime Minister: Sergei Stanishev (2005)
Land area: 42,683 sq mi (110,549 sq km); total area: 42,823 sq mi (110,910 sq km )
Population (2006 est.): 7,385,367 (growth rate: –0.9%); birth rate: 9.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 19.9/1000; life expectancy: 72.3; density per sq mi: 173
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Sofia, 1,088,700
Other large cities: Plovdiv, 338,200; Varna, 312,300; Burgas, 192,000; Ruse, 161,000
Monetary unit: Lev
Languages: Bulgarian; secondary languages strongly correspond to ethnic breakdown
Ethnicity/race: Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) 2%
Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Islam 12.2%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, Jewish 0.1%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 3.4% (1998)
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)
Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2004 est.): $61.63 billion; per capita $8,200. Real growth rate: 5.3%. Inflation: 6.1%. Unemployment: 12.7%. Arable land: 40%. Agriculture: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets. Labuor force: 3.398 million; agriculture 11%, industry 32.7%, services 56.3% (3rd quarter 2004 est.). Industries: electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel. Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land. Exports: $9.134 billion (f.o.b., 2004 est.): clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels. Imports: $12.23 billion (f.o.b., 2004 est.): machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials. Major trading partners: Italy, Germany, Greece, Turkey, France, U.S., Russia (2003).
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 2,868,200 (2002); mobile cellular: 2,597,500 (2002). Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001). Internet hosts: 53,421 (2004). Internet users: 630,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: total: 4,294 km (2004). Highways: total: 37,077 km; paved: 34,111 km (including 328 km of expressways); unpaved: 2,966 km (2002). Waterways: 470 km (2004). Ports and harbors: Burgas, Varna. Airports: 213 (2004 est.).
International disputes: none.
Maps and travel information for Bulgaria:
Multimap links to maps of Bulgaria:
Local Maps of , Bulgaria
Local Maps of Burgaska, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Grad Sofiya, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Khaskovska, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Loveshka, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Mikhaylovgrad, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Plodiv, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Razgrad, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Sofiyska, Bulgaria
Local Maps of Varnenska, Bulgaria
Road information in Bulgaria:
· 50 km/h in populated areas
· 90 km/h outside populated areas
· 120 km/h on highways.
UK people wishing to drive in Bulgaria will need an international driving licence.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) allows you to drive a private motor vehicle overseas when accompanied by a valid UK driving licence. IDPs are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You can buy an international driving licence from the AA Here
Bulgaria place guide:
Bourgas / Burgas
Bourgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria, situated in the south-eastern part of the country. The climate here is temperately continental with a distinct impact from the Black Sea. The town is an industrial centre too. It's not famous as a beach resort (although few beaches you can find), but more as a turning point to the big southern Black Sea resorts in Bulgaria like Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sozopol, Dyuni, elenite, etc. The Airport of Bourgas is the one where the international flights land in the summer.
The Port of Bourgas is the biggest sea port in the country. A Duty Free Zone was established in 1989 with the objective to create most attractive conditions for foreign investors. The favourable geographical location and advanced transport infrastructure of Bourgas are good prerequisites for development of tourism and trade. Bourgas is not only an important industrial centre in the country, it has also considerable resources for tourism. What attracts people here mostly is undoubtedly the sea. Art and culture, together with propagation of cultural values is fostered by 7 state-owned and 11 municipal institutes. On the territory of Bourgas municipality there are 2 universities and 4 colleges comprising more than 6200 Bulgarian and foreign students. Bourgas is not only an important industrial centre in the country, it has also considerable resources for tourism.
What attracts people here mostly is undoubtedly the sea. The city is a starting point for visiting the seaside resorts in the area - The Slantchev Bryag resort and The Elenite holiday village to the north and The Duni holiday village, renowned for its unique architectural composition, to the south. Bourgas is the largest city in Southeastern Bulgaria. It spreads on four terraces near the Bourgas creek. Bourgas is a town without running rivers. The surrounding lakes take in water from the rivers Aitoska, Russokastrenska, Sredetska and Fakiiska. Port Bourgas is the biggest Bulgarian sea port. The amazing combination of sea, sun and virgin nature make Bourgas a favourite spot for many holiday-makers.
Elhovo:
Located in the middle of Elhovo Field and surrounded by the slopes of Sranzha Mountain and the Manastir and Dervent Elevations, the town of Elhovo is the top destination to attract UK investors and foreigners who are moving to permanently live here. The town of Elhovois very well positioned between the most attractive coastal and mountain resorts in Bulgaria, and extremely close to Turkey and its resorts. Elhovo is only 120 km from the Black Sea coast and the international airport in Bourgas, and 100 km from the closest ski resort in the Rodopi Mountain. To the south from the town of Elhovo Tundzha River forms a picturesque canyon winding between the Dervent Elevations and Sakar Mountain. Its steep valleys and beautiful curves make the region extremely attractive for fishing, hunting, hiking, sunbathing and relaxing picnics. The two reservations near Elhovo, their exuberant fauna and longose forests contribute to the peaceful and charming atmosphere in the region.
Thanks to the recently opened border checkpoint at the village of Lesovo, which connects Western Europe to Turkey and Asia, the municipality of Elhovo will be experiencing further progress and development.
Nova Zagora:
The region is rural, looks to the beautiful Thracian plain to the south of Nova Zagora and to Sredna Gora Mountain to the north. Nova Zagora is 30 min to the southwest from Sliven and 30 min to the east from Stara Zagora.
Sliven and Stara Zagora are two of the ten biggest cities in Bulgaria and provide plenty of amenities like restaurants, bars, shops, cinema, theaters, big supermarkets, etc. Nova Zagora itself is not a big town (27000 people population) but has quite many bars, restaurants and shops too. Nova Zagora has a strategical location in the eastern middle part of Bulgaria and is being crossed by the main highway Sofia-Plovdiv-Burgas and the international road from Munich to Istanbul.
Between Nova Zagora and Sliven there are mineral spas and near Sliven There is a small golf course. Stara Zagora is a major cultural centre not only in the area but also in south Bulgaria. It is also a hunting and fishing area with multiple dams in the region. Only 12 km to the north is the second biggest dam in Bulgaria Zhrebchevo hidden among the mountains, excellent for fishing, sunbathing and spending your leisure time. The area provides amazing views, fresh air, coolness in the forests during the summer.
The population is very hospitable and friendly. Every village has at least one bar with restaurant and a shop but many of them are quite well developed with more amenities like pharmacy, doctor, kindergarten, etc. There are bus routes in every village to the closest towns and villages. The closest airport is in Burgas which we expect to become exploited all year round in a couple of years. It is 150 km to the east from Nova Zagora but the distance will become shorter when the new highway Thracia is completed (we expect that to happen in a couple of years or so). About 50 km to the north of Nova Zagora is starting the reconstruction of a ski run and it is expected to become the new ski resort with a big potential for development. Basically, it is a lovely place to live in and to spend your holidays. The whole region has a certificate for being an ecologically clean area.
Rousse information:
Rousse (also transliterated as Ruse or Russe; Turkish: Rusçuk; Romanian: Rusciuc) is the fifth largest city in Bulgaria, with a population of 178,000. Rousse is situated in the northern part of the country, on the southern bank of the Danube, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu, 320 km from the capital Sofia and 200 km from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. It is the most significant Bulgarian river port, serving an important part of the international trade of the country.
Rousse is known for its 19th and 20th century Baroque and Rococo architecture, which attracts many tourists. Rousse is an exciting city which is modernizing pretty quickly, with a new trendy american bar, tall television station and stunning architecture. The local area is very nice, british families are moving in droves to the area.
Sofia information:
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria
The city of Sofia is situated amid the Sofia Plain which is encircled by the Vitosha, Lyulin and the Plana mountains.
Sofia is a modern city with a population exceeding 1 million. Situated in the western section of Bulgaria and in the center of the Balkan Peninsula, Sofia is a natural crossroads between East, West, North and South.
Sofia's elevation is 550 m above sea level and the city is located just to the north of beautiful Mountain Vitosha. The favourable climate, abundant mineral springs and central location attracted visitors to this area as early as 7,000 years ago. The different peoples and civilizations which have passed here in their time have all left their mark and cultural imprints on the present-day capital.
Sofia's airport is now expanding to allow more airport traffic. Transport back and forward to the airport i good, but watch the speed of your taxi - they drive like maniacs!
Troyan area information:
Troyan is slightly West from the centre of Bulgaria. Troyan sits alongside the Beli Osam River. Troyan is around 35km south from Lovech, it is also 25km North East of the Balkan mountains and the Troyan Pass. Pottery and Plum Brandy is produced in Troyan. There is a museum of folk crafts there.
For tourists there is "Nunki" which is a complex of restored ancient Bulgarian houses, typical of the Balkan Mountain architecture that once was. There is a monastery around 10km South East of Troyan, its Bulgarian third largest.
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