Occupying the eastern area of the Balkan Peninsula in south-eastern Europe, Bulgaria is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, the Black Sea to the east and Greece to the south, with a population of roughly 7.3 million people.

The country spans an area of around 69,000 square miles, with topography varying from large plains and lowlands to mountains, valleys and deep gorges. The Balkan ranges, also called the Stara Planina, (Bulgarian for ‘mountains’), traverse the country from west to east. To the north of the Balkans, and forming a major part of the northern border, is a fertile plateau that runs right through and joins the Danube River. The Rhodope range in the southwest includes Musala Mountain, which is the highest point in Bulgaria.

On the whole Bulgaria has a continental climate with four clearly marked seasons. However, the climate in the southern regions of the country exhibits a largely Mediterranean influence. The average annual temperature is around 10.5oC. In January the temperature could dip down to 0oC, whereas summer temperatures hover around 30oC.

Economy and people
Under the Soviet-style economy of Bulgaria, almost all industrial and agricultural enterprises were controlled by the state until 1989. However, the 1990s saw a market-oriented reform that was precipitated by a stagnant economy, massive foreign debt, an inefficient and obsolete industrial sector and shortages of energy and food as well as basic consumer goods.

Post-World-War-II saw the industrialisation of this traditionally agricultural country. Major industries include machine building, engineering, food processing, metalworking and production of electronics, chemicals and textiles. Agriculture still accounts for over 20 percent of the gross national product, with principal crops being wheat, barley, corn, vegetables, oil-seeds, fruit and tobacco.

The population of Bulgaria consists primarily of Bulgars, with a substantial minority of Turks. The first Bulgarian state, located along the north coast of the Black Sea, was established in 635AD. Bulgaria spent the first half of the 20th century marred by political and social unrest. Following the First and Second Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913, Bulgaria entered World War II, during which 30,000 Bulgarian troops were killed.

In the mid-1900s communism emerged as the dominant political force and Bulgaria became a satellite of the Soviet Union. Democratic changes came about sometime in 1989 and the very first multi-party elections were held. There was a period of economic and social turmoil during the time that Bulgaria was trying to emerge from the throes of communism, which ended in a severe financial and economic crisis towards the end of 1996.

On March 29th 2004, Bulgaria became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and in 2005, its membership for the EU was approved. It became a European Union member on January 1st 2007.

In the city
Sofia, the capital and largest city of Bulgaria, is one of the oldest capital cities in Europe. Its history dates back to the 8th century. It is located in the western region of the country and has a population of around 1.2 million, making it the 14th-largest city in the European Union. It is also the administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of the country. The city gets its name from The Church of St Sophia, which was constructed by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the middle of the 6th century.

Situated at the northern foot of the Mount Vitosha, Sofia is surrounded on all sides by mountains. With an area of over 450 square miles, the Sofia Valley is the largest in the country. The city lies about 34 miles from Katlonia on the Serbian border, 114 miles from Kulata on the Greek border and 70 miles from Gruyesevo, on the frontier with the Republic of Macedonia.

Sofia enjoys a moderate continental climate. August is the hottest month, but it is still cooler than other parts of Bulgaria because of the high altitude valley it is located in. Sofia is coldest in January.

Capital culture
This ancient city blends its past and present in an extraordinary architectural style. Some of the major historical landmarks include the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which is one of the largest Orthodox churches; the 10th century Boyana Church, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage protected sites list, and the early Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Some of the more modern architecture includes the Rakovski Str theatre district, the Bulgarian National Opera and Ballet, the NDK, the largest congressional and cultural centre in southeast Europe, and the Slaveykov Square’s outdoor book market.