Where is Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is located in the Eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The
distance from South to North is 330km and 520km from West to East, which
makes the total territory about 111,000 sq. m. To the north the River Danube
forms the natural boundary, to the west lies former Macedonia and Serbia,
and to the south Greece and Turkey. Bulgaria's specific geographical
position makes it a crossroad. Important international road, rail and
arteries pass through the country and link Western, Northern and Eastern
Europe with Asia and Africa. In spite of her small area, Bulgaria is
geographically quite varied.
Climate
Most of the country has a moderate continental climate, expressed most
clearly in Northern Bulgaria. The average annual temperature in Bulgaria is
10-14 °C. The average annual precipitation is 670 mm. Summer is wonderful in
Bulgaria. In July for the south part of the country the Danube Plain +24 °C
and in the mountains +15 °C. On the coast under the influence of the sea,
the winter temperatures lower, compared to the Upper Thracian Plain or the
Danube Plain.
History
Architecture, art and customs can hardly be understood outside the context
of a nation's history. Founded in 681, Bulgaria was converted to
Christianity in 865 and established itself as a state. Sofia is the fourth
capital of Bulgaria after Pliska, Preslav and Veliko Tarnovo. The first
settlers on this land date back to the Neolithic times, or more than five
thousand years ago. Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Slavs are the basic
population in the land of Bulgaria for thousands of years.
