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BULGARIA GENERAL INFORMATION
Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe and occupies part of Balkan Peninsula .To the north it borders on Romania , to the west on the Republic of Macedonia and The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia , to the east on the Black Sea, to south on Greece and to southeast on Turkey’s European part.
Area:111.000sq km
Relief
Extremely varied: large plains and lowlands, low and high mountains with lovely gorges.
Climate
Temperate continental with clearly marked four seasons. A Mediterranean influence is felt in the country’s southern regions.
The average annual temperature is 10.5c
The average January temperature is around Oc.
Average summer temperatures rarely exceed 30c
Population
+-7,973,673
Language
Bulgarian.
English , German, French and Russian is spoken in the country’s resorts and restorants.
Alphabet
Cyrillic. Sings along international motorways, in airports and resorts are spelled in Roman letters.
Religion
86.6% of the population are Orthodox Christians ,13% are Muslims.
The church is autonomous and headed by a Patriarch.
State government
Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with democratic government.
Official holidays
January 1- New Year
March 3 - Bulgaria ’s Liberation from Ottoman rule – the National Day
Easter 1- one week after the Catholic Easter
May 1 - Labour Day
May 6 - Bulgarian Army Day
May 24 - Day of Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture and the Slav Script.
September 6 - Bulgaria ’s Unification
September 22 - Independence Day
December 25-26 Christmas
Capital
Sofia
Population +-1,141,000
Large Cities
Plovdiv , Varna , Veliko Turnovo
SIGHT AND ACTIVITIES -Winter
Bulgaria is crossed by mountain ranges- The Balkan chain, the Rhodopes, the Rila range and the Pirin Mountains . the healthy climate, days guaranteed snow, the spectacular scenery , the modern winter resorts and reasonable prices temp more and more foreign fans of snow winter holidays.
Winter resorts–discover the pleasure of snowy holiday in Bulgaria .
The biggest winter resorts are Pamporovo, Borovets , Malyovitsa and Bansko..`Theare one can find perfect ski slopes , either for beginners or professionals. Besides chair and cable lifts, ski equipment and teachers , the resorts offer all you need to have an unforgettable holiday-from fife star hotels with satellite TV , to romantic huts , small family hotels and holiday villages with the more intimate charm of finish chalets.
During the Congress of the International Ski Instructors Association held in Borovets on 02.06.2006,the Chairman of ISIA said:” We can deprived the chance to support Bulgaria ’s bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.”
If you come in summer, you won’t regret it. The amazing variety of flora and fauna, the Virgin forests , the crystal clear rivers and springs, the picturesque scenic routes and the mild climate are ideal for walking, climbing , exploring caves and cycling
CAVING
With more than 2,000 caves still to be explored, Bulgaria ’s subterranean rock formation and ancient cave paintings will delight and excite the more adventurous visitors. TheEarliest traces of human life on the Bulgarian lands date back to Paleolithic and Mesolithic times. The brilliant drawings in some Bulgarian caves and the flint labor tools are only remnants of primitive man, the forbearer of homo sapiens. Being a part of Alpine-Himalayan mountain range , Bulgaria has mountainous regions of different geological formations. The Rila and Pirin ranges are alpine mountains. Their height Exceeds 2,900 m. above sea level.
HIKE AND BIKE
The mountains are waiting to be explored in a perfect harmony with the nature, you and backpack on you shoulders. Why not a bike to Qualified mountain guides are available for those who wish to be in the company of experienced mountaineers. Sheer cliffs, precipices and picturesque caves in vicinities of Troyan and Teteven are real challenge to those seeking the trills of climbing
Architectural
Marvelous architectural ensembles , arch bridges , and houses constructured in a perfect stone-and-wood harmony, beautifully carved ceilings and church altars , unique frescos and icons in monasteries and convents, functioning museums in the open air create the priceless Bulgarian health kept safe throughout the centuries by grateful generations.
Monasteries
Monasteries are one of the most attractive elements of the Bulgarian landscape and culture .Many people think their balanced domes , colonnades , arcs , frescos and mosaics are the guardians of the Bulgarian spirit. There are over 120 monasteries and many of them are hidden in the corners of this country.
Folklore and Festivals
Bulgaria is famed for its unique folklore heritage. One of the messages of the mankind , transmitted in Space to alien civilizations , is Bulgarian folk song “Izlyazal e Delyo haidutin”. It was selected among musical offers from all over the world and now it sounds in infinity together with Beethoven’s “Ode to joy”. It is believed that the fantastic scenery of the Rhodopes is the birthplace of the mythical Orpheus.
Every Bulgarian village keeps and conveys to generations its rituals, traditions, unique musical and dance folklore and its folk costumes. The most famous and colorful ritual festivals are :Trifon – Zarezan(connected with the traditional pruning of grapes) on 14 February , Kukery processions (the first Sunday before Lent)-commemorating the start of the agricultural year in spring.,Baba-Marta connected with the coming spring and the exchange of “-martenitza”- good luck charms, the colorful barefoot Fire dancing –on
21st may , Sts Constantine and Helena, commemorating the coming summer and the Rozhen and Koprivshtisa folklore festivals.
If you have opportunity for the so-called “village tourism”, you would have the chance to experience the atmosphere of the authentic village life and to try the national culinary specialities.
Festival of Roses
One of Bulgarian symbols is , The Rose. It is used for distilling the famous essence. The attar of this rose is considered to be very specific which has to do with the climate and the topography of the terrain used for rose-cultivation. Roses are the symbol of Bulgaria ever since the period of the Ottoman Empire domination, when the majority of locals in the Valley of Roses worked in the crafts where the rose-petals are being used. The inhabitants have managed to preserve some of the traditions from this period. The roses are picked in the period from May to June and it is exactly at that time, on 1st weekend in June , that the Festival of Roses in the town of Kazanluk- the capital of the Valley of Roses takes place. At that time , girls dressed in their traditional costumes pick flowers, between the festively decorated cars, groups of musicians and ritual dances .During the Festival it is possible to attend the beauty contests where the Queen of Roses is elected , or you can explore archaeological sites , such as the tombs from the Thracian period – the famous Valley of Roses ,also known as the Valley of Thracian Kings –tomb of Kazanluk(UNESKO).
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