Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an active member of NATO, and will join the European Union on January 1, 2007. The country is a member of the UN since 1955, and a founding member of the OSCE. Bulgaria has a base in Antarctica, and as a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty takes part in the governing of the territories situated south of 60° south latitude.

Location

Bulgaria officially the Republic of Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the east, Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, and Romania to the north, mostly along the Danube.

Geography

Strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia.

Capital

Sofia

Population

8 000 000

Climate

Temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers.

Language

Bulgarian

Monetary Unit

Lev

Largest Cities

Sofia, Plovdid, Varna, Ruse, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Dobrich, Sliven, Shumen.

Principal rivers

Danube, Iskur, Marista, Tundzha.

Places to Visit

Golden Sands, Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Ruse, Burgas, Pleven, Dobrich, Sliven.

Air Ports

Sofia International Air Port, Varna Airport.