The Republic of Bulgaria is located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula.
Bulgaria borders in the south with Greece and Turkey, in the west with Serbia and Macedonia and in the north with Romania. In the east, it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.
State symbols
Flag- a rectangular panel consisting of three horizontal equal-sized stripes: the top one is white, the middle one is green and the bottom one is red. The first of them personifies freedom and peace, the second - forests and agriculture, the third - the blood shed in the struggle for state independence.
Coat of arms- a scarlet shield topped with the historical crown of Bulgaria. In the shield is a reared crowned golden lion. The shield is held by two golden crowned lions. Under the shield are the branches of an oak tree and a ribbon with the motto "Unity is the rule of the silat" ("Unity gives strength").
It is generally accepted that the three lions mean the three historical lands of Bulgaria: Moesia, Thrace and Macedonia. The current coat of arms of Bulgaria was adopted by the National Assembly in 1997. This is a slightly modified version of the coat of arms used in 1927-1946. This coat of arms was based on the personal coat of arms of the Bulgarian king Ferdinand I.
Brief description of the modern Republic of Bulgaria
Form of government- parliamentary republic.
Head of state- President, elected for 5 years.
The highest legislative body- unicameral National Assembly.
Head of the government- Prime Minister. Elected and dismissed by the National Assembly.
Capital- Sofia.
Largest cities- Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Dobrich, Sliven, Shumen.
Religion- free. The traditional religion is Orthodoxy, it is professed by 75.96% of the population.
Territory- 110 993.6 km².
Population- 7 364 570 people. Bulgarians make up 84.8% of the population, Turks - 8.8%, Roma - 4.9%, Russians - 0.15%.
Official language- Bulgarian.
Economy- market, industrial country with developed agriculture.
Agriculture... Main products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wool, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets.
Climate- continental and Mediterranean.
Administrative division e - is divided into 28 regions, which are subdivided into 264 communities.
Education- school education is regulated by the "Law on Public Education", divided by degrees:
basic education: primary education - from grades 1 to 4; pro-gymnasium education - from 5th to 8th grade.
Secondary education: gymnasium education - from grades 9 to 12.
Secondary education is considered to be obtained after the successful completion of the 12th grade and the successful passing of the required exams. School education is free.
Higher education regulated by the "Law on Higher Education".
Higher schools in Bulgaria can be public or private. Types of higher educational institutions in Bulgaria: universities (there are 47 universities in the country), specialized higher education institutions, colleges.
Currency- Bulgarian lev.
Sport- the most popular sport is football. Bulgaria has traditionally high achievements in weightlifting and athletics, wrestling, boxing, volleyball, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, shooting and rowing.
Tourism in Bulgaria
The country is promising in terms of tourism, there are many natural and cultural attractions. A popular destination for beach tourism is the Black Sea coast. The most popular Black Sea resorts: Albena, Golden Sands, Riviera, St. Constantine and Helena, Obzor, Sunny Beach, Sozopol, Elenite, St. Vlas.
sunny Beach
The largest seaside resort in eastern Bulgaria. Located by a bay in the Black Sea with a beach 10 km long and up to 100 m wide in the central part, covered with fine yellow sand. Located between the cities of Varna and Burgas, it is part of the city Nessebar, the old part of which is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria (1983)
The town of Nessebar- one of the oldest cities in Europe. This is the successor to the ancient Thracian settlement called Messembria, which existed from the beginning of the 1st century. BC e. WITH 510 BC e. it was turned into a Greek colony.
From antiquity to the present day, there are ruins of the fortress wall, towers, gates, reliefs. Intensive archaeological research is taking place in the old part of the city. During excavations, the ruins of a church built IX in... n. e., as well as the remains of Byzantine terms.
Ski resorts in Bulgaria
The ski season starts here in December and lasts until February.
Bansko
The highest peak in the area is Mount Vihren (2915 m). Bansko is known as one of the best Bulgarian ski resorts. A stable snow cover lies here from December to April, its thickness is about 2 m. All ski slopes are located at altitudes from 1100 to 2500 m. Their total length is 65 km, the longest track is 2.6 km long.
There is an 8-seater gondola lift in Bansko. There are opportunities for off-piste skiing, a park for snowboarders with 2 tracks with a total length of 600 m.
Besides alpine skiing, Bansko is famous for its historical sights. To the south of the city is the Pirin National Reserve. It was inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List. The park covers an area of 27,400 hectares, most of it is covered with pine and spruce forests, and at the foot of the highest peak Vihren there are more than 180 lakes, mainly of glacial origin. In the vicinity of Bansko, the remains of ancient fortresses were discovered in Staroto Gradishte, a section of a cemetery in the town of Dobrokovitsa, which dates back to the 2nd century BC, as well as the medieval settlement of Holy Trinity. In Bansko itself is interesting Church of the Holy Trinity... It was built in 1835 g. There are paintings, frescoes and icons in the church, and its walls are decorated with paintings and wood carvings.
Borovets
A popular Bulgarian ski resort located in the suburbs of Sofia, on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountain, at an altitude of 1350 m. The longest track is 5 789 m. Two ski jumps.
Pamporovo
Ski resort. It is nestled among a magnificent pine forest and is a popular holiday destination in summer and in winter for skiing and snowboarding.
Natural attractions of Bulgaria
Srebarna nature reserve
The reserve includes Lake Srebarna and its surroundings, this area lies on the main migration route of migratory birds between Europe and Africa, called "Via Pontica". The reserve was formed in 1948 year., covers an area of 600 hectares, another 540 hectares are a buffer zone. Srebarna- a large lake formed in a wide karst depression with a depth of 1 to 3 m.
Almost 100 species of birds nest in the reserve, some of them are recognized as endangered. Approximately 80 species of birds fly to the lake for wintering. Among the most notable birds are the Dalmatian Pelican, Great White, Red and Black Herons, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill. The lake is home to 6 species of fish and 35 species of amphibians.
Chuprene reserve
One of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria (area 1439.2 hectares). The reserve was formed February 9, 1973, for the protection of the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria and as an ornithological reserve for the preservation of the only natural population of wood grouse in Bulgaria. On the territory of the reserve there are a large number of rivers that originate on the nearby mountain slopes.
The reserve has a wide variety of fauna: amphibians (11 species): fire salamander, Greek long-legged frog, common toad, etc .; reptiles (15 species): snake, viper, copperhead, etc.; mammals (53 species): fox, wolf, stone marten, pine marten, mink, forest cat, squirrel, 14 species of bats, etc .; birds (170 species): wood grouse, black vulture, owl, golden eagle, woodpecker, thrush, hawk, kestrel, lark, quail, wren and others. Chuprene is the only Bulgarian nature reserve where wolves live permanently.
Seven Rila Lakes
A group of lakes of glacial origin located in the northwestern Rila mountains. The lakes are located between 2100 and 2500 m above sea level.
Each lake has its name associated with its most characteristic feature. The tallest of these is called the "Tear" due to its clear waters. The next highest lake is called "Eye" because of its almost perfectly oval shape, etc. The lakes are located one above the other and are connected by small streams that form tiny waterfalls and cascades.
Yantra (river)
A feature of the river is the numerous gorges that it forms.
Valley of Roses
Region in Bulgaria, located south of the Balkan Mountains. Geologically, it consists of two river valleys: Stryama in the west and Tunji in the east.
The valley is famous for its roses, which have been cultivated there for centuries for industrial purposes: 85% of the world's rose oil is produced here. Rose Oil Production Center - Kazanlak, other cities: Karlovo, Sopot, Kalofer and Pavel Banya. Rose and rose oil festivals are held annually.
The harvesting season runs from May to June. During this period, the valley gives off a pleasant aroma and is covered with colorful flowers. The collection process is traditionally feminine and requires a lot of dexterity and patience. The flowers are carefully cut one at a time, placed in willow baskets and sent to the factories.
Belogradchik rocks
They are a group of strangely shaped sandstone and conglomerate (separate fragments) of rocks located on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, near the town of Belogradchik. The breeds differ in color, with some reaching up to 200 m in height. Many breeds have bizarre shapes and are associated with interesting legends.
Shipka
Picturesque mountain pass through the Balkan Mountains.
During the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 Shipka was the arena of battles, where Russian soldiers fought, backed by Bulgarian militias, and the Ottoman Empire.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria
Boyana Church
Medieval church. Located 8 km from Sofia, in the village of Boyana at the foot of the Vitosha mountains.
V X century. in the village of Boyana, the first small church was built, dedicated to Nicholas the Wonderworker and Saint Panteleimon. At the beginning XIII century... a new two-story church decorated with frescoes was added to this church.
Madara rider
An archaeological monument, a relief image of a horseman, carved on a steep cliff at a height of 23 m. Located in the northeastern part of Bulgaria, near the village of Madara.
The monument is dated approximately 710 year n. e. and was created during the reign of the Bulgar khan Tervel. According to one of the versions, there is an image of the khan himself on the rock. According to another version, the rock relief was created by the ancient Thracians and depicts a Thracian god. There is a third version: an image of Svyatovit (Slavic god) was carved on the rock around the end of the 6th century AD. e.
Cave churches in Ivanovo
A complex of churches, chapels and cells carved into the rocks. It is located 21 km south of the city of Ruse near the village of Ivanovo at an altitude of 32 m above the canyon of the Rusensky Lom River. The complex began to be populated by monks from XIII century... During the heyday of the monastery, there were 40 churches and chapels and about 300 monastic cells. After the 17th century. the monastery became uninhabited, most of its buildings fell into decay.
Thracian tomb in Kazanlak
Part of the ancient necropolis near the city of Kazanlak. The tomb was created at the end IV-early III century. BC e. for the Thracian ruler Roigos. The walls are lined with marble slabs and decorated with frescoes. Paintings telling about the life of the Thracians and their military victories were created by the artist Kozamakis, who used 4 colors in his work: black, red, yellow and white. The plots of the frescoes are associated with the time of the reign of the person for whom the tomb was built.
The tomb of the Thracian ruler was found by a soldier in 1944 during the construction of a trench in the northeastern part of the city of Kazanlak.
Today, access to the tomb is limited to ensure the preservation of the frescoes. An exact copy has been created for tourists.
Pirin National Park
The park was formed in 1962 g. called Vihren National Park in order to preserve forests in the highest parts of Pirin. The park covered an area of 62 km², which is one sixth of the current area of the park. V 1974 year it was renamed Pirin National Park and its territory was expanded.
The park is home to about 1300 species of higher plants, about 300 species of mosses and a large number of algae. In Pirin there are 18 local endemic species, 15 Bulgarian and many Balkan endemics, many rare and endangered species grow, including edelweiss, the symbol of Pirin.
Edelweiss
The park is home to about 2090 species and subspecies of invertebrates.
Rila Monastery
Saint's monastery John of Rylsky- the largest stavropegic monastery of the Bulgarian Church. According to legend, founded in 30s X century... the Monk John of Rylsky (876-946), whose name he bears since the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Peter I (927-968). Saint John lived in a cave not far from the present monastery, while the monastery itself was built by his disciples who came to the mountains to continue their studies.
Thracian tomb in Sveshtari
Located 2.5 km south-west of the village of Sveshtari in the north-eastern part of Bulgaria.
Discovered in 1982 during excavations of the settlement. Dated III century. BC. It was built, presumably, for the Thracian ruler of the Getae tribe and his wife.
Other sights of Bulgaria
Bachkovo monastery
Monastery of the Mother of God. One of the largest and oldest Orthodox monasteries in Europe... The monastery is famous and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by a common faith. The monastery was founded in 1083 BC Although the monastery survived the Turkish invasion of the Bulgarian land, it was plundered and destroyed, but rebuilt at the end of the 15th century. The refectory, whose murals by an anonymous artist are of significant artistic value, was reconstructed in 1601, and the church of Mary - in 1604, they have survived to this day.
National art gallery
Located in the building of the former royal palace, built in 1880 g... The art gallery was founded in 1892 g... It contains over 50,000 pieces of Bulgarian art.
Evksinograd
The former at the end XIX century. Bulgarian summer royal palace and park on the Black Sea coast, 8 km north of the city of Varna. It is currently the summer government and presidential residence. Since 2007, it has also hosted the annual Operosa Opera Festival.
Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Sofia
Bulgarian Orthodox Cathedral. Built in the neo-Byzantine style, it is the Cathedral of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of the symbols of Sofia and the first tourist attraction. It is the second largest cathedral in the Balkan Peninsula after the Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade. Basically, the construction of the cathedral was completed in 1912 year... It was created in honor of Russian soldiers who died during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, as a result of which Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman rule.
Kaliakra
A long and narrow promontory in the region of the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast, located 12 km east of the town of Kavarna. The coast is steep, with sheer cliffs to the sea.
Kaliakra is a nature reserve where dolphins, cormorants and pinnipeds can be observed. It is located on Via Pontica, one of the main bird migration routes from Africa to Eastern and Northern Europe. In spring and autumn, you can see many rare migratory birds here.
There are also the remains of the fortress walls, water supply, baths and the residence of the despot Dobrotitsa.
Trojan Monastery
The Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary or, as it is more often called, the Troyan Monastery is the third largest monastery in Bulgaria. Located in the northern part of the country, in the Balkan Mountains, founded no later than at the end XVI century
Ledenika
It is a cave in the northwestern part of the Balkan Mountains, 16 km from the Bulgarian city of Vratsa, the entrance to which is 830 m above sea level. It surprises with an abundance of galleries and impressive karst formations, including stalactites and stalagmites dating back a thousand years. The cave is about 300 m long and consists of ten separate rooms. The largest of them is a concert one. The path to it goes through the passage of sinners. Only those whose heart is pure can pass through it. Previously, the cave was filled with water, but now there is only a small lake - the Lake of Desires. Legend has it that if you put your hand into the icy water of the lake and make a wish, it will come true.
Chernihrad
Summit of Vitosha Mountain in Bulgaria. Height up to 2290 m. There is a meteorological station based in 1935 g. A very popular place among tourists.
Beaten stones
Several groups of natural rock formations with a total area of 7 km. These are mainly stone columns from 5 to 7 m in height. The pillars do not have a solid foundation; they appear to be stuck in the surrounding sand.
There are several theories about the origin of this phenomenon: organic or mineral. Dynamic reconstruction of the origin of these structures, fluid migration processes and possible microbial interference during carbonate deposition are under investigation by scientists from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
Rozhdestvensky monastery
It is the largest monastery in southwestern Bulgaria. This is one of the few medieval Bulgarian monasteries.
The monastery church was built before XV century... and painted in 1597 g., some frescoes have been preserved. The monastery was devastated by fire between 1662 and 1674, the library was destroyed, and most of the buildings were seriously damaged. The monastery was rebuilt over the next century with the financial help of wealthy Bulgarians from all over the country. The reconstruction began in 1715 and was fully completed in 1732 g.
Panorama of Plevna
Depicts the events of the Russian-Turkish war 1877-78 biennium., in particular, the five-month siege of Plevna, which made the city world famous and contributed to the liberation of Bulgaria after five centuries of Ottoman rule. More than 35,000 soldiers died here.
The panorama was created by 13 Russian and Bulgarian artists and was officially presented on December 10 1977 year... The panorama expanded the already existing Skobelev Park, which is located on the site where three of the four major battles that led to the liberation of Bulgaria took place.
Russian Church in Sofia
Officially known as the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, it is a Russian Orthodox church in the center of Sofia, located on the boulevard of Tsar Liberator.
Construction began in 1907 g., and the church is consecrated in 1914 g.
Monument to the Tsar the Liberator
It was erected in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78. The foundation stone was laid on April 23 1901 g... in the presence of the prince of Bulgaria Ferdinand I, and the monument was completed on September 15 1903 g... Ferdinand also took part in the unveiling of the monument on August 30 1907 g. together with his sons Boris and Kirill, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich from Russia, the son of Alexander II, together with his wife and son.
National Museum of Earth and Man
This is one of the largest mineralogical museums in the world. Founded on December 30 1985 year and is open to visitors on June 19 1987 year... Located in a reconstructed and adapted historic building built at the end of XIX century. Has a number of showrooms, storage rooms, laboratories, video room and conference room. Its collection covers 40% of all known natural minerals, as well as artificial ceramics made by Bulgarian scientists.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions related to minerals, the museum hosts exhibitions on other topics, as well as chamber music concerts.
Sofia Zoo
Currently, the Sofia Zoo has a huge number of exotic animals, as well as animals that live on the Bulgarian land. Was created in 1888 g... The zoo is constantly expanding.
Gabrovo
A city in central Bulgaria with a population of 58 thousand people. The city is considered the Bulgarian capital of humor, like Odessa; it hosts annual humor festivals. The Gabrovoites themselves often act as characters in jokes (the so-called Gabrovo humor), where they are usually presented as overly stingy people who want to save money on everything (similar to English jokes about the Scots). In Gabrovo, there is a one-of-a-kind House of Humor and Satire, which regularly holds various humorous competitions.
House of humor and satire in Gabrovo
History of Bulgaria
Bulgarian statehood has existed since 681 g... But proto-Bulgarians were a single ethnic group before. The first mentions of Bulgarians date back to 354 g.
Monument to Khan Asparukh in the city of Dobrich
First Bulgarian kingdom existed since 681
on 1018 biennium... It was formed by the ancient Bulgarians and Slavs under the leadership of Khan Asparukh. During the period of its greatest prosperity, it covered most of the Balkan Peninsula and had access to three seas. It ceased to exist as a result of the conquest by Byzantium.
Ruins of the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Pliska.
Byzantine Bulgaria did not exist for long: 1018-1185 biennium.
Second Bulgarian kingdom (1185-1396). V 1396 BC it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Having become part of Byzantium, Bulgaria, after the defeat of the Western Bulgarian kingdom and the subordination of the Bulgarian Church to the Patriarch of Constantinople, constantly fought against Byzantium, because many noble families were resettled in the Asian part of the empire. But all the uprisings were suppressed.
V XIV century. Bulgaria has a more formidable and dangerous neighbor - the Ottoman Turks, who seized possessions in Asia Minor. Already in 20s XIV in... they began to make devastating raids on the Balkan Peninsula, and in 1352 BC captured the first fortress in the Balkan - Tsimpe. V 1396 BC Bulgaria ceased to exist as an independent state for five long centuries.
Kingdom of Vidin (1396-1422)
The state that broke away from Bulgaria (the Tarnovo kingdom) in XIV in... After falling into 1395 BC The kingdom of Tarnovo and the conquest of the Vidin kingdom in 1396, Konstantin II Asen ascended the throne of Vidin. He ruled first as a vassal of the Turkish sultan, then as a Hungarian king, and also for a time declared independence, but his power extended to part of the former Vidin kingdom. Since 1396
on 1422 biennium... these remnants of the Vidin kingdom represented Bulgaria. There was no longer a dispute between Tarnovo and Vidin. A number of foreign states recognized Constantine II Assen precisely as the ruler of Bulgaria. Bulgaria continued to exist in this form until 1422, when, after the death of Constantine II Asen, the Vidin kingdom was no longer mentioned in sources (apparently, it was finally liquidated by the Turks).
Ottoman Bulgaria (1396-1878)
At that time, there was no independent Bulgarian state, and the lands of the Bulgarians were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire (in Bulgarian historiography, it is also called "Turkish slavery" or "Ottoman yoke").
The independent Bulgarian Patriarchate, which was subordinated to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, was liquidated. At first, Bulgaria was in vassal dependence, and in 1396 BC Sultan Bayazid I annexed it after defeating the crusaders at the battle of Nikopol.
Illustration from "Chronicles" by J. Froissard
The Turks consolidated their power in the Balkans, becoming an even greater threat to Central Europe.
Principality of Bulgaria (1878-1908)
Under the name of the Principality of Bulgaria in history, the Bulgarian state is known from gaining autonomy within the borders of the Ottoman Empire in 1878 g... before the declaration of independence in 1908 g... It was a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral parliament (People's Assembly). The head of state is the prince. The title of the monarch is “prince of the Bulgarians”. Ruling Dynasties: 1879-1886 - Battenberg, 1887-1908 - Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Provided for a collective regency in the event of the incapacity of the prince.
Third Bulgarian Kingdom (1908-1946)
The Bulgarian state that existed from the proclamation of independence in 1908 g... before the abolition of the institution of monarchy in 1946 year... It was a constitutional monarchy (the Tarnovo Constitution of 1879 as amended). The king was the head of state.
World War I
V 1915 g. The third Bulgarian kingdom followed Ferdinand's pro-German orientation. In an effort to annex the entire Slavic Macedonia, entered the First World War on the side of Germany, Austria and Turkey. Bulgaria began to be considered in the Entente countries "a traitor of the Slavs".
The Second World War
February 2 1941
The city of Bulgaria and Germany signed a protocol on the deployment of German troops on the territory of Bulgaria.
March 1, 1941 in Vienna, documents were signed on Bulgaria's accession to the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo pact.
In April 1941... Bulgaria, together with Germany and Italy, took part in the Greek operation and in the Yugoslav operation, as a result of which it received part of the Aegean coast and part of Vardar Macedonia. Although Bulgaria claimed, it did not receive either the city of Thessaloniki or the Holy Mount Athos. Already in September 1941... In the area of the city of Drama, inhabited by Greek immigrants from Turkey, the Bulgarian occupying forces used terror, unambiguous with genocide, after which the Third Reich reduced the territory of Central Macedonia, which was owned by the Bulgarians.
After June 22, 1941 large-scale resistance developed in Bulgaria. December 13, 1941 Bulgaria declared war on Great Britain and the United States, but hostilities did not follow. However, the Bulgarian cities began to be subject to Allied air raids. Bulgaria did not declare war on the USSR, but provided its territory for the deployment of German troops, discriminatory measures were also introduced in Bulgaria against the small Jewish population, but not a single Jew was deported from Bulgaria. September 5, 1944 after the surrender of Romania, the USSR declared war on Bulgaria. The Bulgarians offered practically no resistance to the Red Army. On September 9, as a result of an uprising prepared by the forces of the Fatherland Front, the pro-German government was overthrown, and the new authorities declared war on Germany. Then an anti-communist mountainous movement arose in the country.
On September 8, 1946, a referendum was held, 92.72% of the population voted for the republic.
Of the territorial acquisitions, Bulgaria retained only South Dobrudja. From Western Thrace (Greek) and from the Greek part of Macedonia, 150 thousand Bulgarians were deported. At the same time, almost the entire population of the Greeks, who had lived on the Black Sea coast for thousands of years, were deported from Bulgaria.
People's Republic of Bulgaria (1946-1990)
As soon as the Soviet Army entered Bulgaria, on the night of September 9-10 1944 g. army units together with partisan detachments carried out a coup d'état. V 1946 year... was proclaimed People's Republic of Bulgaria, the first prime minister of socialist Bulgaria was Georgy Dimitrov.
V 1950 g. consistent Stalinist becomes prime minister Vylko Chervenkov, he completes the collectivization of agriculture, suppresses the actions of the peasants, accelerates industrialization.
After Stalin's death, gradually lost influence Todor Zhivkov, who headed the Bulgarian Communist Party in 1954.
The Zhivkov era (1954-1989)
T. Zhivkov led Bulgaria for 33 years. Relations with Yugoslavia and Greece are being restored in Bulgaria, labor camps are being closed, and the persecution of the church stops.
He was loyal to the Soviet Union, supported the suppression of the Hungarian uprising in 1956, and sent troops to help suppress the Prague Spring in 1968.
10th of November 1989 year Zhivkov was removed from the posts of general secretary of the Central Committee of the BKP and chairman of the state council. Prime Minister of the communist government Andrey Lukanov and the chairman of the state council Petr Mladenov, who replaced Zhivkov in this post, took a number of steps aimed at democratizing the political system.
August 1, 1990... was elected president of Bulgaria Zhelyu Zhelev, former dissident and SDF leader. In November, Lukanov's government resigned in response to mass demonstrations and a four-day general strike.
On July 12, 1991, a new constitution was adopted.
If someone thinks that Sofia has always been the capital of Bulgaria, then this is not so. There were several capitals. All in order.
Pliska
Pliska is the first capital of Bulgaria. The city was the capital until 893. Here Tsar Boris I adopted Christianity. The remains of this medieval city are located in the area of today's Pliska, Kaspichan and Novi Pazar, in the Shumen region. On the site of the first Bulgarian capital, there is the Pliska National Historical and Archaeological Reserve. Recommended for sightseeing are the Great Basilica and the Historical Museum, which are located on the territory of the reserve.
Veliky Preslav
Located 20 km. from the city of Shumen. It was declared the Bulgarian capital in 893. It housed the famous Preslav Book School. Clement of Ohridsky, Konstantin Preslavsky, John Exarch, Presbyter Cosma served and worked here. There is a National Historical and Archaeological Museum in Veliky Preslav.
Ohrid
Ohrid is currently located on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid. Ohrid was not always Macedonian. This city was Roman, Byzantine, Serbian and Bulgarian. Ohrid was the capital of Bulgaria in the X-XI centuries, or more precisely, the city was declared the capital by Tsar Samuel in 978. The restored Samuil's fortress is one of the most famous sights of the city.
Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo is located in Northern Bulgaria, on the slopes of the Yantra River. In the period from 1018 to 1187 it was under Byzantine rule. After the uprising of the brothers Asen and Peter and the restoration of the Bulgarian statehood, Veliko Tarnovo was proclaimed the capital of Bulgaria. In fact, it was her until the fall under Ottoman slavery in 1393, but formally the capital from Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia was transferred only in 1879, i.e. we can say that Veliko Tarnovo has been the capital of Bulgaria longer than any other Bulgarian capital.
The most famous tourist sites of the city are the fortresses of Tsarevets and Trapezitsa, the churches of 40 Martyrs, Peter and Paul, St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki. In total, there are 1613 objects of historical heritage in Bulgaria in the city. Here, on February 10, 1879, the Tarnovo Constitution was adopted, which gave rise to the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, of which Alexander Batenberg was proclaimed Grand Duke.
Sofia
Sofia is located in the central part of Western Bulgaria. The total area of the city is 1344 sq. km, and the average height above sea level is 590 m.
Archaeological finds from the Neolithic era are of particular interest for tourists. In ancient times, on the site of today's Sofia, there was the Thracian city of Serdika, after which it became a Roman fortress, then the medieval city of Sredets.
With the invasion of the Turks, some of the Sofia fortresses resisted until 1388. Liberated from the Ottoman Empire, Sofia was General Gurko on January 4, 1878, and on April 3, 1879 became the fifth capital of Bulgaria.
Geography of Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a state in southeastern Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula, in its eastern part. Bulgaria is washed by the Black Sea. On land, the country is bordered by Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Romania and Macedonia. The main territory of the country is occupied by mountain ranges: Sredna Gora, Stara Planina, Rhodope, Pirin, Rila, where Mount Musala is located - the highest point of the Balkan Peninsula with a height of 2925 m. In the northern part of Bulgaria there is the Lower Danube Plain, in the south - the Upper Thracian Lowland, in the central part - the Kazanlak Basin. Forests occupy about one third of the territory of Bulgaria.
State structure of Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic, headed by a president who is directly elected for a 5-year term.
Weather in Bulgaria
Northern Bulgaria is characterized by a temperate continental climate, the Thracian Plain is a steppe, and on the coast the climate is close to Mediterranean.
In the Danube Plain, more than 600 mm of precipitation falls annually, in early summer precipitation is more abundant. In the Thracian Plain, drought begins in August, with less precipitation. 450-500mm of precipitation in Eastern Dobrudzha and in the riverside of Maritsa and Tundzha. But in the mountainous regions (Rila, Pirin, Rhodope and Balkans), more than 1000mm of precipitation falls.
Language of Bulgaria
The state language is Bulgarian.
Almost everywhere you can communicate in Russian. German, English, and French are also quite common.
Religion of Bulgaria
Most of the population of Bulgaria, about 85% are Orthodox Christians, about 12% are Sunni Muslims. There are 0.8% of Jews in the country and 0.5% of Protestants and Catholics each.
Currency of Bulgaria
The monetary unit of Bulgaria is the lev, in one leva there are 100 stotinki.
Customs restrictions in Bulgaria
It is allowed to import into Bulgaria without paying duties 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes, wine (2 liters), or 1 liter of strong alcoholic drink, you can also import gifts and souvenirs in a reasonable amount, you can import foreign currency without restrictions. You just need to remember that if you import currency in excess of 10,000 US dollars, you need to fill out a customs declaration. You also need to declare video cameras, computers, jewelry and other expensive items.
When exporting valuable items from Bulgaria, they must be entered in the customs declaration. Foreign currency in the amount of less than 1,000 US dollars can be exported without providing documents, the amount from 1,000 to 10,000 dollars is entered in the declaration. In the event that currency exceeding $ 10,000 is exported from the country, you need to provide papers that explain the origin of the money.
National features of Bulgaria Traditions
Traditions
One of the distinguishing features of Bulgarians is how they express their consent or disagreement. In contrast to the nodding of the head in agreement in Russia, the inhabitants of Bulgaria shake their heads, and if the answer is negative, they nod.
Tips
Typically, the restaurant bill includes the cost of service. If the tip is not included in the bill, then it is customary to leave a tip about 10-15% of the invoice amount. At the hairdresser's and in the taxi, 10% of the total amount on the invoice is left for tea. At the hotel for tea, you can leave an amount in leva, equivalent to a dollar.
Opening hours of institutions
On weekdays, shops are open from 10 to 20 hours, on Saturdays from 8 to 14 hours. Banks work from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 11:30 am, then a break until 2 pm and continue to work until 6 pm; on Saturdays, customers are waited in banks from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.
Mains voltage:
220VCountry code:
+359Geographic first level domain name:
.bgEmergency phones:
Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Fire brigade - 160
Roadside assistance - 146
Representative offices of Bulgaria on the territory of Russia:
consulate-General
Address: Moscow, 119590 Moscow, Mosfilmovskaya 66
phone: 143-67-00
fax: 232-33-02
www.bolgaria.ru
