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Bulgaria: An Overview

Introduction

Bulgaria has been much in the property press over the last couple of years, primarily because of its property prices, which are exceptionally low, even by Eastern European standards. In 2003, a two-bedroom apartment on the Black Sea coast could be bought for £25,000–£30,000. Today, a similar property would be priced at around £50,000–£60,000.

Naturally, the huge price increases (approximately 100 per cent in three years) have driven the press headlines – along with Bulgaria’s imminent accession to the EU, which is scheduled for 2007 – but to focus only on price would do a disservice to a largely attractive country with a colourful heritage.

The Romans conquered Bulgaria over 2,000 years ago, leaving behind a trademark amphitheatre or two – an impressive one stands in Plovdiv – and latterly communism took hold, before being peacefully ended in 1990. Its legacy is a nation playing catch-up in terms of infrastructure and communications, but one that, on its Black Sea coast and mountain resorts, has a lot to offer.

Geography

Bulgaria lies at the heart of the southern Balkan region. It borders Turkey and Greece to the south, Romania to the north, and Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro to the west, meeting the Black Sea coast on its eastern border.

The country is mostly mountainous, with lowlands on the north Danubian Plain and in the southeast on the Black Sea coast. Its highest point is Musala Peak (2,925m), which is also the highest point on the Balkan Peninsula.

Climate and weather

The predominant climate in Bulgaria is moderate and transitional-continental, with four distinct seasons. Generally, summers are hot and dry, with an average April–September temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. In winter, the average temperature is 0 degrees Celsius, with heavy snowfall, naturally, in the mountainous areas. The average temperature for the year is 10.5 degrees Celsius.

The capital, Sofia, has average January temperatures of between minus four and two degrees Celsius. Its July temperature is between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius. Along the Black Sea coast, the average January temperature ranges from minus one to six degrees Celsius, and the July temperature is between 19 and 30 degrees Celsius.

A Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, humid winters, prevails in the valley of the southwestern Rhodope Mountains, close to the border with Greece. The northern limits of the climatic zone are the Balkan Mountains, where minus degree Celsius temperatures are commonplace for several months of the year.

History

More than 2,000 years ago, the Romans governed the land that modern-day Bulgaria stands on, leaving behind a legacy that can be seen to this day in several monuments dotted around the country. Spartacus, the gladiator, was a descendant of the people from the region. The Bulgars, as a people, are believed to have settled in the country in the seventh century, many having arrived from neighbouring Slavic countries.

During the second millennium, Bulgaria was subjected to 500 years of Ottoman rule. Its architecture, including the world-renowned Rila Monastery, underlines the Eastern rule that lasted until 1877, primarily with Russian assistance.

Following the Second World War, Bulgaria became a communist state, subservient to the Soviet empire for over four decades. The collapse of communism in 1989 saw Bulgaria emerge from the wilderness to adopt democratic principles, slowly at first, but increasingly rapidly.

More pages

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Culture
Page 3: Natural beauty
Page 4: National holidays

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