Location
Situated in south-eastern Europe, Bulgaria occupies the north-eastern
part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north, along the Danube River,
it borders Romania; to the west, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and the Republic of Macedonia. To the south its neighbours are Greece
and Turkey. To the east Bulgaria touches the Black Sea, which links
it also to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. The Black Sea shoreline
is 378 km (240 miles) long.
The country’s total territory is 111,000 sq. km (43,000 sq. miles)
in area.
|
.jpg) |
Pirin |
Terrain
Bulgaria's terrain varies between 0 and 2,925 m. in altitude. Its territory
includes part of the lower Danubian plain, the Balkan range (part of
the Alpine-Himalayan chain), part of the Thracian lowland, and to the
south the mountain structures of the Macedonian-Thracian massif. Its
best known mountains are Rila (its highest peak being Musala – 2,925
m.), Pirin (Vihren peak – 2,914 m.), Vitosha (Cherni Vrah peak – 2,291
m.), Stara Planina (i.e., the Balkan range) (Botev peak – 2,376
m.), and the Rhodopes (Golyam Perelik peak – 2,191 m.).
|
Vitosha |
The mountains occupy half of the country’s territory, with
the high mountain relief – i.e., at an altitude above 1,600
m., comprising 5% of its entire area.
The Bulgarian mountains are easily accessible, and the towns and villages
have preserved the authentic Bulgarian spirit and hospitality.
|
Waters
The rivers rise mainly in the highest mountains, and flow into the Black
Sea (via the Danube) and into the Aegean Sea. Bulgaria has 526 rivers
longer than 2.3 km. The only navigable river is the Danube, which flows
along the northern Bulgarian border.
There are good opportunities for adventure tourism: wild water rafting
and canoeing, diving, delta- and para-gliding in the valleys of the Vatcha,
Iskar, Chepelarska, Struma, and Mesta rivers. |
|
|
The longest rivers in Bulgaria
|
| Name |
Length (Km) |
Iskar
|
368,0
|
Toundga
|
349,5
|
Maritsa
|
321,6
|
Osum
|
341,0
|
Struma
|
290,0
|
Yantra
|
285,5
|
Kamchiya
|
244,5
|
Arda
|
241,3
|
Louda Kamchiya
|
200,9
|
Roussenski Lom
|
196,9
|
|
Balkana |
Natural lakes are about 330 in number; the largest
are the Black Sea lakes (Alepou, Arkoutino, Pomorie, Beloslav, Bourgas,
Varna, Shabla lakes); the most numerous (more than 260) are the high
glacial lakes in the Rila and Pirin mountains.
Dams have been built as a part of waterpower systems – Iskar, Arda,
Batak Water Power System, Belmeken-Sestrimo, Dospat-Vucha, and a great
number of smaller dams. |
Climate
The predominant climate in Bulgaria is moderate and transitional-continental.
There are 2,000 to 2,400 hours of sunlight per year. Four seasons. Dry,
hot summer: average temperature (April - September) is 23°C. Cold
winter with snowfalls: average temperature is 0°C. The average temperature
for the year is 10.5°C.
A Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, humid winters, prevails
in the valley of the south-western Rhodope Mountains. The northern limits
of the climatic zone are the Balkan Mountains. |
 |
The average January temperature in Sofia ranges between
-4°C and 2°C. The July temperature ranges between 16°C
and 27°C. Along the Black Sea, the average January temperature
ranges between -1°C and 6°C, and the July temperature ranges
between 19°C and 30°C. |
| The soft transitional-Mediterranean climate and the
fertile soils are very suitable for growing the famous Bulgarian
attar-yielding rose – a valuable raw material for perfumery,
medical and the food, wine and tobacco industries. |
Flora and fauna
Bulgaria has many corners still in their natural state, preserving a remarkable
bio-diversity. Natural vegetation demonstrates considerable ecological
variety. A total of 12,360 species have been found, of which 3,700 are
higher plants. The Bulgarian endemic plants – found nowhere else
world-wide – number more than 250: Rila primrose, Balkan violet,
Bulgarian blackberry, Rhodopean tulip… Forests abound with wild
fruits, briars, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries,
mushrooms – all of them of proven flavour and with qualities which
strengthen the body. There is also a great diversity of herbs and healing
plants.
|
Elenite |
Sredna Gora |
Bulgaria’s fauna numbers some
13,000 species, 14% of the total number of registered animal species
in Europe. Rare mammal species are to be found in this country.
Reserves and hunting grounds are inhabited by pelicans, stags,
deer, does, wild goats, quails, pheasants, etc.
A network of three national parks has been set up (with a total area
of 221,252.2 ha) – Rila, Pirin, and the Central Balkan; nine natural
parks (over 180,000 ha); reserves, as well as 2,234 protected territories
and natural landmarks. Of them the Pirin National Park and the Sreburna
biosphere reserve have been included in UNESCO’s world heritage
list. Together with a further 16 biosphere reserves they offer wonderful
conditions for photograpy, scientific and hobby tourism.
|
Mineral springs, Beach, Lakes
Bulgaria has some 500 deposits of mineral waters with more than 1,600 water
sources. These are localised chiefly at the mountain foothills. The spa
resorts of national significance are Bankya, Velingrad, Sandanski, the
mineral baths of Stara Zagora, Narechen, Sliven and Haskovo, as well
as Kyustendil, Varshets, Pavel Banya, Hissarya, Merichleri, Momin Prohod,
and Kostenets.
|
Rila
|
| The Black Sea is very clean, not tidal, and is bordered
by long, sandy beaches. Climatic sea-side resorts offering various
recreation services are Balchik, Bourgas, Varna (Zlatni Pyassatzi – Golden
Sands), Kiten, Pomorie, Primorsko, Nessebur (Slantchev Bryag – Sunny
Beach), and Sozopol. |
Sunny Beach |
Nessebur |
|
Picturesque lakes hide in the bowls of the Rila
and Pirin mountains. Dam lakes of recreational potential are
to be found in the Rhodope mountains – Batak, Vatcha, Studen
Kladenets; at the foot of the Balkan range – Ticha, as
well as in some other places.
|
|
|
.jpg)