Bulgaria
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Southeast Europe
- Capital
- Sofia
- Population
- 6.4 million (2024)
- Area
- 110,879 km²
- Languages
- Bulgarian
- Currency
- Bulgarian lev (BGN)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +359
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Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Bulgaria is located in Southeastern Europe. Bulgaria is known for its folklore traditions and musicians such as Boris Christoff and Nikolai Gyaurov.
The country recorded a population of 7 million in 2019 and covers an area of 110,994 km2. Sofia is the capital and largest of the country. Other major cities include Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. The landmarks of Sofia show that their existence is of 2,000 years history of the Greek, Roman, Ottoman and the Soviet settlers.
The Capital, Sofia.
History
It declared its independence in 1908.
Food & culture
Its culture is grounded on Thracian, Slavic and Bulgar traditions though it is also influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Thracian fire dancing is acknowledged by UNESCO as an unchangeable cultural heritage.
The main crops grown in the country include wheat, corn, barley, soybeans, grapes, apples and tomatoes.
The common dishes in the country include banitsa, tarator, meshana skara, sarmi, shopska salata and shkembe.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals include bear, fox, wild rabbits and vultures.
Festivals & events
The most popular festivals are Humor carnival, the festival of roses, fire dancing festival, cherry festival and rozhen national folklore festival.
Things to see
It is listed as the third country with the most valuable archaeological sites found in the region after Greece and Italy.
Other places to visit in the country are ancient Nesseber, Rila Monastery, Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the Shumen Monument.
Interesting facts
Bulgaria is Europe’s oldest country that has not changed its name since its establishment.
The world’s oldest gold treasure was discovered in Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis, Bulgaria.
Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook has a Bulgarian origin, making the world’s first computer to have been created by a Bulgarian.
The first wristwatch was invented by Peter Petroff who was a Bulgarian.
The official language and religion are Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Christianity respectively.
Cities & towns I’ve visited
Neighbours
My Bucket List goals in Bulgaria
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.