Most of Bulgaria’s land, in its contemporary boundaries, lies between 41 and 44 degrees northern latitude. Sofia, its capital city, is in approximately the same latitude as Rome, Madrid, Chicago and Beijing.The country’s climate is temperate continental, warm Mediterranean breeze is often felt in its southern parts, the Central European air - in its northwestern regions, and the air of the Russian Steppes - in its northeastern territory.

The landscape of Bulgaria is fascinatingly varied - low, medium and high mountains, hills and plateaus, low lands and plains, gorges and passes, valleys and meadows, gulfs and beaches. The Rila and Pirin alpine mountains exceed 2,900 m above sea level. Stara Planina is the longest mountain range, dividing the country into two parts.

Called also the Balkan /range/, it is the “namegiver” of the whole peninsula. The forests, deciduous and coniferous, are large in number but not startling in size. The Great Bulgarian Wood (Magna silva bulgarica), famous in the Middle Ages, is only a legend now. The rivers are numerous, but not very long and deep. None of them are navigable today.

The longest river running solely through Bulgarian territory is the Iskar - 368 km. Bulgaria’s northern borderline follows the Danube. It connects Bulgaria with the Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, as well as with the system of the navigable canals of the whole of Europe.

The largest lakes in the Balkans are the Ohrid and the Prespa lakes which are closely connected with Bulgarian history.

More than one quarter of the country’s territory is covered with forests. The Edelweiss which grows in places difficult to access in the Pirin Mountains and the Balkan Range, is one of the rare plants growing in the country.

Bulgaria is famous for its oleaginous rose which blooms in the Valley of Roses. The Bulgarian tobacco brands are world - famous. The Bulgarian fauna is no less interesting, with almost 13 000 animal species and subspecies, or about 14 percent of all European species. Fishing is possible in lakes, dams, mountain brooks and sea, hunting - in special hunting grounds.

The mineral resources have been exploited ever since Thracian times. Predominant are woodland soils and chernozems /rich black soils/. Owing to its fertile soil, as well as to its other geographic and climatic conditions, Bulgaria has enjoyed the fame of a place blessed for agricultural work ever since the period of classical antiquity. The vine was cultivated here, this is one of the centres where vegetable and fruit-growing were developed.

The vegetation is mainly European, largely enriched however, with Mediterranean, Caucasian, Steppe and Asia Minor influences. The animal population is typical of Europe. In its flora and fauna there is a large number of endemic species - species that can be found nowhere else in the world. Moreover, there are a number of nature reserves, mountains and lakes in Bulgaria that are of international interest.

History

The first Bulgarian state was recognized in 681 A.D. and was a mixture of Slavs and Bulgars. Several years later, the First Bulgarian Kingdom or the Golden Age emerged under Tsar Simeon I in 893-927. During this time, Bulgarian art and literature flourished. Also during the ninth century, Orthodox Christianity became the primary religion in Bulgaria and the Cyrillic alphabet was established. During early-to-mid-1900s Bulgaria was characterized by social and political unrest.

Bulgaria participated in the First and Second Balkan Wars. The first multi-party elections since World War II were held in 1990. As Bulgaria emerged from the throes of communism, it experienced a period of social and economic unrest. After the Elections the new Government and President offered a leadership in Sofia committed to Euro-Atlantic integration, democratic reform, and development of a market-based economy.

Economy

Since 1997, Bulgaria has been on the path of recovery, with GDP growing at 4,5-5,5% annual rate, significantly increasing FDI (record cash flow of USD 3,5 billion foreign investment just for the first 9 months of 2006), low inflation and macroeconomic stability. Along with the stable and predictable business and political environment the country has the lowest operational costs and tax rates in Europe – 15% corporate income tax rate (2007 expected rate 10%). NATO membership and EU Accession offers to the foreign property buyers a good opportunity of investment with low risk.

The property prices are the lowest in Europe (less than one third of Spanish property prices) which makes the country an exceptional value for the investors. The Capital Growth Prospects are excellent (property prices have risen by 20-30% in 12 months). Cost of living in the country is incredibly low; approximately one fifth of Western Europe. The average monthly wage is of EUR 170-200 and with the rapid economic growth, wages are forecasted to grow. The currency Leva is pegged to the EUR. Bulgaria is very inexpensive for eating and drinking with a meal costing an average 5-7 euro, a bottle of beer for less than a euro and good Bulgarian wine costs around 5 euro a bottle.

It is easy to rent a car only for 10 euro per day or to use a taxi at the cheap price of 30p. per km. In general, encouraged by the large number of foreign tourists that come to the beautiful coastal and mountain resorts Bulgaria aims to become a European tourism center. The country is also determined by the property specialists as a hidden gem amongst the countries in Europe.

Foreign Relations

Bulgaria, which is advancing towards greater Euro-Atlantic integration, officially became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on March 29, 2004 after depositing its instruments of treaty ratification in Washington, DC. Bulgaria, which completed European Union (EU) accession talks in December 2004, signed the EU Accession Treaty with a view towards joining the Union in 2007.

Bulgaria is a member of the United Nations and in 2002-2003 served a 2-year term as a nonpermanent member on the UN Security Council. Bulgaria served as Chair-In-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2004. Bulgaria joined the World Trade Organization in 1996. In July 1998, Bulgaria became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), which called for the reduction of tariffs by 2002 on most industrial and agricultural goods traded between CEFTA countries.

Bulgaria has initialed free trade agreements with Turkey, Macedonia, Croatia, Lithuania, Estonia, Israel, Albania, and Latvia. Currently, Bulgaria is holding consultations for launching free trade agreement talks with Moldova as well. Bulgaria’s relationship with its neighbours has generally been good. Bulgaria has proven to be a constructive force in the region and has played an important role in promoting regional security.