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BULGARIAN Facts & Figures

Size: 42,823 square miles

Population: 7,364,570

Capital: Sofia

Currency: Lev

Weather / Climate:

Considering its small area, Bulgaria has an unusually variable and complex climate. The country lies between the strongly contrasting continental and Mediterranean climatic zones. Bulgarian mountains and valleys act as barriers or channels for air masses, causing sharp contrasts in weather over relatively short distances. The continental zone is predominant, because continental air masses flow easily into the unobstructed Danubian Plain. The continental influence, stronger during the winter, produces abundant snowfalls; the Mediterranean influence increases during the second half of summer and produces hot and dry weather. The barrier effect of the Balkan Mountains is felt throughout the country: on the average, northern Bulgaria is about one degree cooler and receives about 192 millimetres (7.6 in) more rain than lowlands of southern Bulgaria. Because the Black Sea is too small to be a primary influence over much of the country's weather, it only affects the immediate area along its coastline.

The Balkan Mountains are the northern boundary of the area in which continental air masses circulate freely. The Rhodope Mountains mark the northern limits of domination by Mediterranean weather systems. The area between, which includes the Northern Thracian Plain, is influenced by a combination of the two systems, with the continental predominating. This combination produces a plains climate resembling that of the Corn Belt in the United States, with long summers and high humidity. The climate in this region is generally more severe than that of other parts of Europe in the same latitude. Because it is a transitional area, average temperatures and precipitation are erratic and may vary widely from year to year.

The north-western Danubian Plain in May

Average precipitation in Bulgaria is about 630 millimetres (24.8 in) per year. Dobrudja in the northeast, the Black Sea coastal area, and small part of the Northern Thracian Plain usually receive less than 500 millimetres. The remainder of the Northern Thracian Plain and the Danubian Plateau get less than the country average; the Northern Thracian Plain is often subject to summer droughts. Higher elevations, which receive the most rainfall in the country, may average over 2,540 millimetres (100 in) per year.

A view of Aldomirovtsi marsh, with approaching stormclouds surrounding the nearby mountains

The many valley basins scattered through the uplands have temperature inversions resulting in stagnant air. Sofia is located in such a basin, but its elevation (about 530 metres / 1,739 feet) tends to moderate summer temperature and relieve oppressive high humidity. Sofia is also sheltered from the northern European winds by the mountains that surround its troughlike basin. Temperatures in Sofia average −3 °C (26.6 °F) in January and about 28 °C (82.4 °F) in August. The city's rainfall is near the country average, and the overall climate is pleasant.

In summer, temperatures in the southest Bulgaria often exceed 40 °C (104 °F) but remain cooler by the coast. The town of Sadovo, near Plovdiv, has recorded the highest known temperature: 45.2 °C (113.4 °F). The recorded absolute minimum temperature of −39.3 °C (−38.7 °F) occurred west of Sofia, near the town of Trun. The usual temperature around the Stara Planina region averages 10 °C (50 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F).

The highest mountains – over 900 or 1,000 metres (2,953 or 3,281 ft) above sea-level – have an alpine climate. The lowest parts of the Struma and Maritza river valleys are subjected to subtropical (Mediterranean) influence, as are the Eastern Rhodope or Low Rhodope mountains. The extreme south-west part of Bulgaria (near the towns of Sandanski and Petrich) has one of the warmest climates in the country.

The coastal climate is moderated by the Black Sea, but strong winds and violent local storms are frequent during the winter. Winters along the Danube River are bitterly cold, while sheltered low valleys opening to the south along the Greek and Turkish borders may be as mild as areas along the Mediterranean or Aegean coasts.

Taken from wikipedia

BULGARIAN languages

The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian. According to the 2001 census, 85.5% of the country's population speak Bulgarian natively.^[1] The most significant minority languages are Turkish, spoken by 9.6% of the population, and Romani, which is spoken by 3.1%.^[1]

Bulgarian is the country's only official language. It's spoken by the vast majority of the Bulgarian population and used at all levels of society. It is an Indo-European language, a member of the Slavic linguistic group. Its closest relative is the (Slavic) Macedonian language and these two languages are mutually intelligible.

Bulgarian is written with the Cyrillic alphabet, which also has been "exported" to other languages, notably Russian.

Taken from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Bulgaria

BULGARIAN culture

Bulgaria, situated in the eastern Balkans, has been undergoing a slow and painful transition to a market economy since the end of Communist rule in 1991. A predominantly Slavic-speaking, Orthodox country, Bulgaria was the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, which was created there towards the end of the 9th century AD. It was long influenced by Byzantine culture and was part of the Ottoman Empire for 500 years before gaining its independence in the 19th century. After World War II it became a satellite of the Soviet Union, but is now a member country of the EU and NATO. Its transition to democracy and a market economy after the collapse of communism has not been easy and the country is striving to boost low standards of living.

King Ferdinand was the dominant figure in Bulgarian politics up to World War I, although was discredited thereafter, due to his support for the Germans. Soviet forces entered the country in 1944, and the monarchy was abolished and a republic declared. By the end of 1947, the Communist Party had completed its takeover of the country.

Bulgaria's dominant political figure was Todor Zhivkov, under whose leadership Bulgaria became the staunchest of Moscow's allies. In 1989, Zhivkov resigned. The first multi-party elections for 44 years were held in June 1990; the ruling Communists had restyled themselves the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and won an absolute majority.

Throughout the early 1990s Bulgaria was wracked by political instability and strikes. The former communists were a powerful influence. Although the end of the decade was more stable, there was little tangible progress with economic reform. Under Bulgaria's former king, Simeon II, who was prime minister between 2001 and 2005, the country pressed ahead with market reforms designed to meet EU economic targets. It achieved growth, saw unemployment fall from highs of nearly 20% and inflation come under control but incomes and living standards remained low. Bulgaria was not among the countries invited to join the EU in 2004. However, it signed an EU accession treaty in April 2005 and joined in January 2007 - at which point Cyrillic became the third official alphabet of the EU, following the Latin and Greek alphabets. EU officials set tough entry requirements, reflecting their concerns about corruption and organised crime. After a series of reports found that the Bulgarian government had failed to tackle these issues effectively, the EU announced in July 2008 that it was suspending aid worth hundreds of millions of Euros.

In September 2010, the EU again called on Bulgaria to take urgent action to tackle crime and corruption, and later in the year France and Germany announced that they would block Bulgaria from joining the Schengen passport-free zone until the country had made "irreversible progress" in this area. Another cause of friction has been the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, which supplies over a third of Bulgaria's electricity. Amid concerns over the safety of communist-era nuclear facilities, four of Kozloduy's six reactors were shut down as a price for Bulgaria's EU membership, two of them closing just minutes before the country joined the EU.

In a bid to offset the loss of production at Kozloduy and restore its position as a major power exporter in the Balkans, Bulgaria revived plans for a second nuclear power plant, though these were later put on hold because of a lack of funds for construction of the plant. Bulgaria is also involved in two rival gas pipeline projects: Russia's South Stream pipeline and the EU-backed Nabucco pipeline.

Bulgaria's spectacular mountains, swathe of golden beaches and vibrant cities have begun attracting hordes of eager-eyed tourists over the past few years - a dramatic change to how the country was a mere 10 years ago.

In fact, Bulgaria has been through mammoth changes in the last few years, with many of the cities and resorts undergoing construction booms galore, tempting buyers from Western Europe with relatively cheap property and stunning landscapes.

Bulgaria's beautiful beach and ski resorts are expanding quickly as a result and have lured visitors away from more expensive European destinations with low-priced lift passes and accommodation options. The main cities have shrugged off their weary Communist-era image and have become vibrant and attractive, with well-kept boulevards, varied shopping and lively nightlife. In contrast, many towns and villages have preserved the authentic Bulgarian spirit and hospitality and the country is especially proud of its rich folklore traditions.

Bulgariais the oldest surviving state in Europe to have kept its original name - since AD681 - and most of the population are descendants of the Bulgar invasion of the south Danube around that time. The majority of the population are Christian, the main denomination being Bulgarian Orthodox Church with a membership of 83% of the population. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is considered to be the traditional religion in Bulgaria. There is also a significant Muslim minority (13%) and a small Jewish community.

Normal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Dress should be conservative but casual. If invited to the home, a small souvenir from one's homeland is an acceptable gift, and something for their children is always welcome. Do not give money. Remember that a nod of the head means 'No' and a shake means 'Yes'. Bulgarian restaurants, cafés and nightclubs have zones for smokers and non-smokers. There is no smoking in public places.

Holidays

· 01 January – New Year's Day

· 03 March – National Day, Day of Liberation

· April – Orthodox Easter

· 01 May – Labour Day

· 06 May – St George’s Day, Day of Bulgarian Army

· 24 May – St Cyril and Methodius Day, Day of Culture and Literacy

· 06 September – The Unification of Bulgaria

· 22 September – Independence Day

· 01 November – Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders

· 24 December – Christmas

· 31 December – New Year’s Eve

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.world travelguide.net

BULGARIAN people

The data of the 2011 census gives a figure of 7,364,570 inhabitants,^[137] down from a peak population of 9 million inhabitants in 1989.

Bulgaria is in a state of demographic crisis,^[138] and has had negative population growth since the early 1990s,^[139] with the country's economic difficulties leading to low fertility rates and high levels of emigration. Despite some progress, the population is still decreasing by 30,000 people per year^[140] and the growth rate is the lowest of any sovereign nation in the world.^[141]

According to the 2001 census,^[142] the population of 7,932,984 people consists mainly of 6,655,210 ethnic Bulgarians (83.9%), followed by the Turkish (9.4%) and Roma minority (4.7%). Of the remaining 2%, 0.9% comprises some 40 smaller minorities, while 1.1% of the population have not declared their ethnicity. Some 6,700,000 people (~85%) speak Bulgarian as their mother tongue,^[142] which belongs to the group of South Slavic languages and is the only official language.

According to the 2001 census most of the population (82.6%) self-identify as Orthodox Christian.^[142] The Bulgarian Orthodox Church gained autocephalous status in 927 AD^[143][144] and is the earliest Slavic Orthodox Church.^[145][146] Other religious denominations include Islam (12.2%), Roman Catholicism (0.6%) and Protestantism (0.5%); with other religions (0.2%), and with "not stated" totalling approximately 4%.^[142] Bulgaria regards itself officially as a secular state. The Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion, but appoints Orthodoxy as "a traditional" religion.^[147]

Taken from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaria#Demographics

BULGARIAN food

Bulgarian cuisine (Bulgarian:bulgarska kuhnya) is a representative of the cuisine of Southeastern Europe. Essentially South Slavic, it shares characteristics with other Balkans cuisines. Owing to the relatively warm climate and diverse geography affording excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits, Bulgarian cuisine is diverse.

Famous for its rich salads required at every meal, Bulgarian cuisine is also noted for the diversity and quality of dairy products and the variety of Bulgarian wines and local alcoholic drinks such as rakia, mastika and menta. Bulgarian cuisine features also a variety of hot and cold soups, an example of a cold soup being tarator.

There are many different Bulgarian pastries as well such as banitsa.

Most Bulgarian dishes are oven baked, steamed, or in the form of stew. Deep-frying is not very typical, but grilling - especially different kinds of meats - is very common. Pork meat is the most common meat in the Bulgarian cuisine. Oriental dishes do exist in Bulgarian cuisine with most common being moussaka, gyuvetch, and baklava. A very popular ingredient in Bulgarian cuisine is the Bulgarian white brine cheese called "sirene". It is the main ingredient in many salads, as well as in a variety of pastries. Fish and chicken are widely eaten and while beef is less common as most cattle are bred for milk production rather than meat, veal is a natural byproduct of this process and it is found in many popular recipes. Bulgaria is a net exporter of lamb and its own consumption of the meat is prevalent during its production time in spring.

Traditionally Bulgarians have consumed a notable quantity of yoghurt per head and is noted historically for the production of high quality yoghurt, including using a unique variety of micro-organism called Lactobacillus bulgaricus in the manufacturing process. It has even been claimed that yoghurt originates from Bulgaria. Though this cannot be substantiated, Bulgaria has been part of a region that has cultivated and consumed yoghurt from as far back as 3000 BC.

Certain entries, salads, soups and dishes go well with alcoholic beverages and the alcohol of choice for some is Bulgarian wine.

Holiday meals

There are several holidays that are characterized by specific meals. On Christmas Eve, it is a tradition to have vegetarian stuffed peppers and vegetarian stuffed grape leaves. On New Year's Eve, there are dishes made with cabbage. On Nikulden (Nicholay's Day; December 6), people usually cook fish, while on Gergyovden (George’s Day; May 6), it is a tradition to eat roast lamb

Taken from wikipedia

Places to go in BULGARIA

The main shopping area of Sofia is on both sides of boulevard Vitosha. Bulgarian products, clothes, shoes, handicrafts, wines, spirits and confectionery can all be purchased there. Ulitsa Graf Ignatiev and ulitsa Pirotska are busy streets with local clothes and electrical stores. Some restaurants have folk dancing and music. Opera is performed at the State Opera House in Sofia, as well as in Plovdiv and other cities. You can also listen to classical concerts performed by local orchestras or the National Folk Ensemble. Bulgaria has a thriving nightclub and bar scene, with Sofia, Bourgas, Plovdiv and other resorts pumping out great music including chalga (home-grown gypsy/dance/techno music) and international sounds. Good 'what's on' guides on major cities and resorts can be found in tourist offices and hotels.

Dramatically ringed by the Balkan Mountains to the north and the Vitosha Mountains to the south, Sofia stands on an open plain 550m (1,804ft) above sea level in western Bulgaria. Although its neo-classical Stalinist architecture is prominent, visitors to Sofia will love its side streets and century-old commercial quarter, tree-lined boulevards and balconied buildings by 19th-century Russian and Viennese architects.

Locals meet for coffee at open-air cafés in the park, the vast bazaar offers an array of pickles and farm produce, and new designer boutiques keep springing up in the city centre. Shoppers queue to board Sofia's rattling trams while folk musicians serenade the metro users. Central Sofia boasts a clutch of ancient and neo-Byzantine Orthodox churches, and one functioning mosque, virtually all that remains of 500 years of Ottoman domination. The stunning gold-leaf domed Nevski Memorial Church is the most famous sight, with the sixth-century St Sofia and the Museum of archaeology nearby. Discover Bulgaria's nine UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, including the perfectly preserved fourth-century murals in the Thracian Kazanluk Tomb, the Sveshtari Tomb near Razgrad, the 13th-century Boyana Church on the outskirts of Sofia, and the Ivanovo Rock Monasteries.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city is divided by the Maritsa River. Get lost around the narrow cobbled streets and quaint houses, and visit the Roman Amphitheatre. The hub of the new city is the lively pedestrianised ulitsa Alexander Batemberg, with shops, cafés and galleries.

Batchkovo Monastery, situated 8km (5 miles) from Plovdiv, was founded in the 11th century and is home to rare frescoes, icons, manuscripts and coins. Batchkovo lies within the area known in ancient times as Thrace, and many items of archaeological interest have been discovered, including wonderful gold Thracian objects.

Explore the age-old town of Belogradchik, nestled in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains in northwest Bulgaria. The main attractions include the Belogradchik fortress, the ancient Magura Cave on Rabisha Lake, and the Belogradchik Rocks, a wondrous expanse of bizarrely shaped, colourful rock formations, named a Natural Landmark by the Bulgarian government.

Valley of the Thracian Kings is the place to stroll amongst the ancient burial mounds in the valley of Kazanluk. As well as the famous Kazanluk tomb there are interesting tombs at the villages of Krun, Muglizh, the Koprinka Dam and many others.

Visit the ancient museum town of Veliko Turnovo, capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1187-1393), situated on three hills circled by the River Yantra. It contains extraordinary collections of historic works of art, including church relics.

Relax in one of Bulgaria's many mineral water spas. The curative properties of the Bulgarian mineral waters have been known and used for centuries. Ancient mineral complexes were built near the mineral springs and there are now plenty of top hotels with spas, especially around the Black Sea coast.

Roman Thermae in Varna is located in the territory of the ancient city Odessos. The magnificent roman baths in Varna are a relic of Roman legacy in Bulgaria. Visit the well-preserved baths, the largest Roman public building in Bulgaria, and then wander through the seaside city of Varna for sweeping views of the Black Sea and endless historical landmarks.

Enjoy the fruits of the vine in Melnik. The tiny town, with 18th- and 19th-century houses perched on strangely-shaped limestone and sand pyramids, is famous for its wine cellars. At weekends, Bulgarians flock here for its wonderful mehanas for traditional food and the local brew.

Bulgaria's traditional music festivals are an important part of Bulgarian rural life. Pirin Pee festival features the famous Pirin Folk Ensemble, a major group based in Blagoevgrad.

For centuries Bulgarians have planted roses, and extracted their heavenly essence - attar of roses. The Rose Valley is magically transformed with breathtaking blooms in May and early June each year when The Festival of Roses is celebrated in many towns of the region.

Get back to nature in Bulgaria's national parks. These include the ancient Bailusheva pine forests and limestone rocks in Pirin National Park, the seven lakes and 10th-century monastery in Rila National Park, and the Raiskoto Praskalo waterfall, the highest in the Balkan peninsula. Bulgaria has 35,000km (21,749 miles) of marked paths and one- or two-week trips through the wild mountains can be arranged. Guides are provided and accommodation is usually in mountain chalets, guest houses or camps. Organised mountaineering and climbing trips can be arranged in the areas of Vratsa, Veliko Tarnovo, Trojan, Maliovitza and Roussenski Lom. The steep rocks of the Pirin, Rhodope, Rila and Stara Planina are popular with expert climbers, and there are numerous caves and spectacular rock formations, many with ancient cave paintings. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Rhodopi mountains provide excellent trails, while cycling along the Black Sea coast is a popular family activity.

Horse riding has traditionally been popular in Bulgaria; possible itineraries include the Danube Valley, the Balkan, Rila and Stara Planina mountains and the Valley of Roses.

Bulgaria has over 370km (232 miles) of glorious coastline with sandy beaches. Try busy resorts Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, picturesque Albena, historical Nesebar, the cultural and historical city of Varna, or the Mediterranean ambience of port city Bourgas.

Ski the slopes in winter. Quaint Bansko is the newest ski area, set in a historical town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. Pamporovo, in the Rhodopi range, is Europe's southernmost ski resort. Borovets, in the Rila Mountains, is Bulgaria's oldest and largest mountain resort.

Taken from:

www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in BULGARIA

Before visiting a foreign country for business a quick brush up on how to doing business in terms of etiquette and protocol is a good idea. This guide to doing business in Bulgaria briefly summarises some tips with regards to meeting & greeting, communication styles and business meetings.

Meeting & Greeting

Bulgariaon the face of it is still a fairly formal society. This reflects in the rather proper and reserved nature of initial meetings. Within the business context a firm handshake, direct eye contact and the appropriate greeting for the time of day suffices. The hierarchical nature of Bulgarians results in an emphasis on rank and position. As a result if people have official, educational or work titles ensure you use them. If you are unsure then simply use "Gospodin" (Mr)/ "Gospozha" (Mrs) followed by the surname.

Only friends and family address each other with first names. It is good etiquette to wait for their Bulgarian counterparts to determine when it is appropriate to become this informal.

The normal custom is for business cards to be exchanged on initial meetings but there is little protocol to follow. As a basic courtesy do not write on the card or treat it nonchalantly. If your company/firm has been established a long time (25-50 years) it is a good idea to include the founding date on the card as this gives credibility. Also add any academic qualifications to the card. Translating cards into Bulgarian may not always be a necessity but it would certainly impress recipients.

Communication

Until a relationship warms up the communication will be reserved and cool. However, once the other person as an individual rather than a foreigner, they will slowly become less formal and more relaxed.

Bulgarians generally have an indirect communication style when dealing with people whom they do not know well. They will offer roundabout explanations rather than offer a negative response; they prefer a non-confrontational way of doing business.

Business decisions are often heavily influenced by personal sentiments. It is therefore a good idea to invest time in relationship building. This helps overcome the initial communication barrier as well as increase chances of business success.

Many Bulgarians believe that speaking forcefully indicates that the person is overcompensating for the fact that they have nothing important to say. Anyone with a booming voice may want to consider paying attention to their tone.

Business Meetings

Meetings are formal and do follow certain etiquette and customs. The normal protocol is for the most senior Bulgarian to open the meeting with an introduction or statement and to then chair the proceedings.

Although a hierarchical culture where important decisions are made at the top of the company, Bulgarians seek to have a consensus of all stakeholders before reaching a final decision. Therefore, meetings can be extremely protracted since everyone must have the opportunity to present their case.

Any presentations should be factual and backed with statistics. If possible try to present information visually. Bulgarians do not appreciate too much "talk" so avoid over zealous statements. Bulgarians are not deadline oriented. They prefer to ensure they have comprehensively covered a topic before bringing proceedings to a close.
Be patient and do not rush meetings - successful ventures in Bulgaria will never happen overnight.

Taken from www.kwintessential.co.uk