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Bulgarian Facts and Information
Territory: 110,993km² [e.g. England = 132,588km²]
Population: 8,519,155 [London alone = 9,231,900!]
Language: Bulgarian. Translation software Click here
Currency: 1 Leva = 100 stótinki
Alphabet: Cyrillic
Capital: Sofia
The capital of Bulgaria boasts a large orthodox church, a synagogue and
a mosque, all on the same square. This cultural coexistence reflects the
genuine and deep respect Bulgarians have for their history of various
cultural influences. The motto of Sofia is 'Ever growing, never old'.
Religion: Eastern Orthodox
Government: Democratic coalition government
Climate: Cold, usually snowy winters, long hot summers, mild autumn and
spring.
Neighbours: Romania on the North, The Republic of Macedonia and Serbia
on the West, Greece and Turkey on the South; the Black Sea is Bulgaria’s
East border
Main Rivers: The Danube, Maritsa, Strouma
Main Mountains: The Balkan Range, Rila (its peak, Moussala, is the highest
in the Balkans), the Rhodopes, Pirin, Vitosha
Time: GMT +2 hours
Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz [UK visitors require standard 2-pin adaptor]
Checkpoints:
· with Serbia: Kalotina, Vrashka Chuka, Otomantsi
· with Republic of Macedonia: Gyueshevo, Zlatarevo
· with Turkey: Kapitan Andreevo, Malko Turnovo
· with Greece: Kulata
· with Romania: Vidin, Oryahovo, Rousse, Silistra
Black Sea Ports: Varna, Burgas
Airports: Sofia, Varna, Bourgas
Visas For EU citizens:
30 days visa free regime. For more visa information Click here
Roads: Left hand drive
Driving Licence: EU Photo-Licence required - old paper licences only with
IDP
Learn more about the International Drivers Permit here, or visit your
local Post Office to upgrade to an EU Photo Licence
Speed limits:
· residential areas: 50 km/h
· country roads: 90 km/h
· motorways: 120 km/h
Getting to Bulgaria
· by air: 3 hours from London
· by car: E80
Do NOT use "Change Bureaux" - Bank Cash Points are plentiful and will
provide the best available exchange rate upto the value of 200 Leva per
transaction
Do NOT allow a taxi driver to sell you property.
Best value telephone calls back home can be found at the local Post Office
- internet access is also available widely in cafes... but ask before
you sit!
Tips are common place in Bulgaria - waitresses work for them. 10% is the
norm - don't go crazy however, lest you cause offence.
Agree taxi fares BEFORE you get in.... and always ask for a receipt before
you get out. Taxis "rip" stupid tourists "off" on a daily basis. You've
been warned!
Treat 1 Leva as you would £1 – this will show you the real value of that
meal, “Rolex” watch, taxi ride and even property!
Learn at least a few polite words - please/thankyou etc... it goes an
awful long way!
ENJOY!
Holidays
1 January: New Year’s Day
3 March: National Day
April Easter: is a movable feast, often 1-2 weeks after the Western Church
1 May: International Labour Day
14 May: National Alphabet Day
24 May: Day of the Slavonic Script and Bulgarian Culture
6 September: Unification Day
22 September: Independence Day
24 December: Christmas Eve ('Budni vecher', the Eve of the Future)
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Second Day of Christmas
Tourism: Skiing in the mountains around Borovets, Bansko and Pamporovo;
summer resorts at the Black sea – particularly around Varna and Bourgas
regions. Also developing Cultural, Nature/Rural, and Health/Balneology
tourist sectors.
History: The first Bulgarian state was established in 681. Trials and tribulations
have marred the state’s 14 century existence which seems to have been
almost entirely dedicated to long struggles for national freedom and independence.
In its more recent history, Bulgaria has suffered longest (500 years)
from the occupation of the Ottoman [Turkish] Empire. However, it is characteristic
of this period of domination that the Bulgarians preserved almost intact
their language, folklore, and cultural heritage and that if anything,
the foreign domination has contributed to their awareness of other cultures
and their tolerance of the very concept of 'otherness'. In most recent
times, 50 years of Soviet domination in political life have left the country
with the difficult task of restoring democratic principles in all walks
of public life.
Culture: The roots of Bulgarian culture spread much deeper than even most
Bulgarians might imagine. The country has always been an important cross-roads
connecting Europe with Asia, and Northern Europe with the Mediterranean.
It was home at one time or another to the Thracians, the Greeks and the
Romans, and their cultural heritage has continued to live long after them,
as has the cultural grandeur of Byzantium and the exotic charm of Muslim
art. The wealth of this heritage makes cultural traditions of present-day
Bulgaria a unique phenomenon in a land where East meets West - its traditions
are still very much alive. They live on in music, dance and crafts. They
also live in some customs that are not really known in other countries.
Traditions: A tradition which is very much alive to the present day is
the one that makes everyone in Bulgaria, young and old alike, to wear
'Martenitsa' from the 1st March on to the day they see the first swallow.
'Martenitsa' are white-and-red tassels, often complete with funny small
figures of dolls, animals, etc. Bulgarians wear them for health, success
and generally for good luck in the evolving year. Cattle and domestic
animals and pets are also adorned; and the trees, especially fruit trees,
bear the brunt of having them all year round as according to the custom
when the five day period is over, the martenitsi should not be thrown
away but should be put on a leafy tree, and if possible in blossom. This
symbolises the rebirth of nature and general well-being for the future.
So if, on a “March” day, you come across a tree adorned with white-and-red
tassels on a London street, you know that Bulgarians have been there before
you!
Agriculture: Wheat, maize, tomatoes, peppers are among the main agricultural
products. Bulgaria is a major producer and exporter of wine and also rose
oil from the Valley of Roses.
Cuisine: Rich in southern vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, aubergines
and courgettes. Beans are a staple food; fruit such as apples, grapes,
strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pears are abundant. Dishes are often
baked on a slow oven and seasoned heavily with herbs and spices. Meals
are often a social event and always accompanied by excellent 'rakiya'
(plum or grape brandy) and/or red wine. Bulgarians are very fond of their
red wine. White wine is also delicious, though Bulgarian folklore presents
a lot of songs about red wine and only one about white, which goes like
this: 'O, white wine, why are you not red?'
Nazdrave! => Cheers!
Moila => Please
Mersi => Thankyou
Chow => Goodbye
Zdraveite! => Hello!
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