Bulgaria


Year of EU entry: 2007
Political system: Republic
Capital city: Sofia
Total area: 111 000 km²
Population: 7.7 million
Currency: Lev
Listen to the official EU language:
Bulgarian

Located in the heart of the Balkans, Bulgaria offers a highly diverse landscape: the north is dominated by the vast lowlands of the Danube and the south by the highlands and elevated plains. In the east, the Black Sea coast attracts tourists all year round.

Founded in 681, Bulgaria is one of the oldest states in Europe. Its history is marked by its location near Europe’s frontier with Asia. Some 85% of the population are Orthodox Christians and 13% Muslims. Around 10% of the population are of Turkish origin while 3% are Roma. Similarly, its traditional dishes are a mixture of east and west. The most famous Bulgarian food is probably yoghurt, with its reputed gift of longevity for those Bulgarians who consume it regularly.

The Bulgarian National Assembly (the single chamber parliament) consists of 240 members who are elected for a four-year period.




Bulgaria’s main exports are light industrial products, foods and wines, which are successfully competing on European markets.

Bulgaria is famous for its folk music. A Bulgarian folk song was recorded on the Voyager Golden Record which was sent into outer space by NASA. Famous Bulgarians include philosopher Julia Kristeva and Elias Canetti, Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1981 and Christo Javachev (“Christo”), the creator of many unorthodox outdoor sculptures.

More information and travel tips about Bulgaria are available at
http://www.bulgariatravel.org/eng/index.php