 Modern-day
Bulgaria is a serene, tolerant, democratic country with a constantly
improving economy. The currency is pegged to the Euro, making it financially
stable. In March 2004 the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) as a full member and will be joining the European Union (EU)
in 2007.
Bulgaria has a fast-growing tourist industry due to its beautiful countryside
with picturesque mountains and sandy beaches. Some of the resorts are
already well known to many visitors from the UK and other countries.
The Bulgarian people are traditionally hospitable and friendly, English
is widely spoken, especially in the capital Sofia and at the Black Sea
and ski resorts.
Location:
 Bulgaria is
situated in the south-east part of Europe, within the eastern part
of the Balkan Peninsular. It borders to the south with Turkey &
Greece, Romania to the north and the Black Sea to the east. The River
Danube connects it to Vienna in Austria and Budapest in Hungary. Bulgaria
is approximately the size of England.
The mountains in Bulgaria are the Balkan mountains, the Rhodopes,
Rila, Pirin, Vitosha and Sredna Gora. The highest peak in Bulgaria
is Moussala - 2925m in the Rila mountain.
Territory: 110 912 square kilometres
Population: 8 000 000 (according to the census taken
in 2000)
Capital city: Sofia, with 1 188 000 inhabitants
Main cities: Plovdiv (350 000 inhabitants),
Varna (300 000 inhabitants), Bourgas (200 000 inhabitants), Stara
Zagora (150 000 inhabitants), Rousse (140 000 inhabitants)
Transportation (How to access Bulgaria):
I. BY PLANE
There are 6 airports, of which the 3 main ones are Sofia, Varna and
Bourgas. Sofia airport operates all year round and serves many regular
destinations to/from most European big airports. Varna and Bourgas
airports operate mostly from May to September because of the big touristic
flow and charter flights to Black Sea resorts. The flights depart
from up to 19 regional UK Airports (Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester,
Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, etc)
Airports: Sofia, Varna, Bourgas, Plovdiv, Gorna Oryahovitsa
 II.
BY TRAIN
There are several international railways destinations to/from Bulgaria
to/from Budapest (Hungary), Bucarest (Romania), Belgrade (Serbia),
Istanbul (Turkey), Thessaloniki (Greece), Alexandropolis (Greece),
Prague (Czech Republic), Moskow (Russia), Minsk (Belarus)
III. BY BUS
There is a well developed net of bus lines to/from main European cities
- ask your local travel agent. This is the cheapest means of transport,
faster than the train (for example the 1000 km journey from Sofia
to Prague takes about 22 hours)
Railways system:
- total: 4,294 km
- standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified)
- narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2002)
Highways network:
 IV.
BY WATER
The borders of Bulgaria to the east and north are the Black Sea and
Danube river, so there are a lot of marines and harbours. The biggest
harbours are Varna, Bourgas and Rousse.
Exchange rates: 24. January 2006
- 1.95 BG leva for -1 EUR
- 1.59 BG leva for -1 USD
- 2.84 BG leva for -1 GBP
Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airports, banks, exchange
bureaux and hotels. Please note that defaced, old or marked notes
can not be exchanged. Travellers’ cheques carry a higher commission.
Official language: Bulgarian - the
oldest written Slavonic language
Religion:
Bulgarian Orthodox 83.8%, Muslim 12.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, Jewish
0.1%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and others 2.3% (1998)
Entry requirements:
As a British national you may enter Bulgaria as a tourist without
a visa for up to thirty days only in any 6 month period. If you wish
to travel to, and reside in Bulgaria on a more permanent basis, you
should contact the Bulgarian Embassy in London and arrange for an
appropriate visa. A permit is required to work in Bulgaria; prospective
employers must apply for permits from the local Labour Office.
Health Services (by the UK consulate)
Although some initial emergency medical treatment will be given free,
British nationals are likely to be charged for the majority of medical
expenses incurred whilst in Bulgaria. We recommend that you take out
comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover the full period
you will be in the country, and which includes medivac to the UK if
necessary. There are reciprocal healthcare agreements between Bulgaria
and the UK
Drinking water: Water in the towns
is safe to drink.
Electricity supply
The voltage is 220 volts AC (50 cycles). Plug fittings are the round
two-pin continental type; lamp fittings are of the screw type
Hours of business
Bulgarians work a 40-hour week with businesses opening around 8:30
or 9:00 a.m. and closing around 5.30 or 6.00 p.m.
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