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Official Symbols of Bulgaria
The national flag of the Republic of Bulgaria is in three colors: white, green and red bands, following horizontally from top to bottom.
A legend associates the origin of these three colors with the color symbols of the Old Bulgarian Army. Its left wing was set apart by white strips on the spears, the right one’s by red, while arranged in the centre were the elite troops with a green strip, the traditional color of the ruler. The three-color flag had first been used by the First Bulgarian Legion of Georgi Raklovski (1861). By force of the Turnovo Constitution (1879), the three-color flag - white, green and red, was confirmed as Bulgaria’s national flag.
The coat-of-arms of the Republic of Bulgaria is a rampant gold crowned lion against a dark-red background in the form of a shield. Above the shield there is a big crown, whose original shape was that of the crowns of medieval Bulgarian rulers, with five crosses and one other cross, separately, over the crown itself. The shield is supported by two golden crowned rampant lions, facing the shield from the left and right heraldic side. They are standing on two crossed oak tree twigs with acorns. Inscribed in golden letters onto a white strip with a three-color edging, placed under the shield across the ends of the oak twigs, is Unity makes power.
Anthem of the republic of Bulgaria
Proud Stara Planina Mountain,
Blue Danube river by its side,
Sun shining over Thrace,
Over Mount Pirin in a fiery way.
Beloved Homeland,
You are a paradise on earth,
Your beauty, your magic,
Oh, they have no end!
Data about Bulgaria
Area: 110,993.6 sq km.
Population: 7,8 milion
Bulgarian largest cities: Sofia - Capital city (pop. 1 700 000), Plovdiv (pop. 540 000), Varna (pop. 400 000) and Bourgas (pop. 310 000), Rousse (pop. 185 000)
Official language: Bulgarian
The Bulgarian language is the earliest written Slavic language. It dates back to the creation of the old Bulgarian alphabet - Glagolitsa in 862 by the brothers Cyril and Methodius which was step by step replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet /Kirilitsa/ over the following centuries. The words in Bulgarian are pronounced in the same way in which they are written. The transcription of the Bulgarian names in Latin alphabet is difficult. The translation and the phonetic transcriptions use different rules. It can be rather misleading so some basic knowledge of Bulgarian Alphabet are obligatory recommended for those who are interested about the Bulgarian language.
The Bulgarians’ names consist of 3 parts - personal, father’s and family name. The suffixes of the women’s father or family names almost always change by adding „a” after the last consonant!
Foreign languages: English widely used and spoken, particularly amongst the young people. Also German, French, Russian, Spanish and Turkish
Local Time: GMT + 2 hours
Official holidays:
January 1st – New Years’ Holiday;
March 3 rd – National Holiday (National Liberation from the Ottoman domination);
Easter, and the first Monday after Easter;
May 1 st – Labor Day;
May 6 th – Gergyovden, and the Bulgarian Military Army’s Day;
May 24 th – Cyril and Methodius Day;
September 6 th – Unification Day;
September 22 nd – Independence Day;
November 1 st - National Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders;
December 24,25,26 – Christmas Days.
Religion: There is freedom of religious confessions. Traditional religion (83 %) in the Republic of Bulgaria is Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Monetary unit: the Bulgarian Lev (BGN) pegged to EUR at 1.95583:1
Currency: Lev (BGL) BGL1=100 Stotinki
Notes: BGL1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100
Coins: Stotinki 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50, BGL 1
Visitors can convert their cash money at banks and exchange bureaus. Beware of commission charges and misleading rate quotations. Avoid any people on the street who offer higher rates - these are ordinarily impostors. Banks are normally open Monday to Friday 09.00-16.00 and offer all kind of services including money transfers and exchange. Many private exchange bureaus are open 24 hours.
Credit cards are accepted in considerable hotels as well as in precious shops and restaurants. You can pay by credit cards like Visa, Master Card, Eurocard, also in some places with American Express and Diner Club. However you should always carry sufficient cash and especially when you are in the country. Almost all the credit cards can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, which are widespread in Sofia and most cities.
Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz. Plug fittings are the round two-pin continental type; lamp fittings are of the screw type.
Transport: International highways cross the country and makes essential connections to Western Europe, Russia, Asia, Adriatic, Black Sea and the Aegean sea.
Bulgaria is easy accessible and viable destination because of the low coast airlines directs routes and short direct flight times from many airports from Europe. Sofia has links, roads and airways with all points near and far removed across the world.
Traffic police and fines: The police often stops the drivers to check their documents and especially the motorists for registration and ownership documents of the vehicle or a certified letter of attorney by the owner; also international motor insurance /Green Card/ and passport. If the police stops you don't get out of the car, wait for the policeman to approach, stay quiet and be polite.
Important requirements
Driving licenses valid in Bulgaria:
1. Those issued by the states that have signed the Vienna Convention
2. Certified translation of the driving license.
3. International driving license.
The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Traffic drives on the right. On the road do not exceed the speed limits on:
- - motorways - 120kph (75mph);
- - country roads - 90kph (56mph);
- - in urban areas - 50kph (31mph).
Also you are obliged to use safety seat belts in the car both inside and outside populated areas. Talking on a cellular telephone while driving is not allowed. You should use a hands-free device. Drinking and driving is rigorously forbidden.
Roads and driving: Most of the roads are not in good condition. The road signs are in principle identical to those in the other European countries are but usually absent or only in Cyrillic. The petrol in Bulgaria is very small cheaper than in Western Europe. The most reliable tanking places are the 24-hour stations of Shell, OMV and BP. Very important is to buy a vignette from all border-crossing points, all post offices and most gas stations If you have the intention to travel by car around Bulgaria. This vignette system is valid for the national road network, except for the roads within populated areas. The prices of vignettes are in EUR and USD and they are different depending on the type of the vehicle and the time period.
Important phones
Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Fire - 160
Road Assistance Service – 91146 and 146 /inside Bulgarian mobile networks/
International automobile sign: BG
Domain country code: bg
International telephone code: +359
Dial Landline Numbers
Country Code Area Code City
359 73 Blagoevgrad - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blagoevgrad
56 Bourgas - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgas
58 Dobritch - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgas
66 Gabrovo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabrovo
751 Gotse Delchev - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotse_Delchev_(town)
38 Haskovo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haskovo
361 Kardjali - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardjali
431 Kazanluk - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazanlak
78 Kjustendil - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kjustendil
68 Lovetch - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovech
96 Montana - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana,_Bulgaria
34 Pazardjik - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazardjik
76 Pernik - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pernik
64 Pleven - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleven
32 Plovdiv - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plovdiv
84 Razgrad - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razgrad
82 Rousse - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rousse
54 Shoumen - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoumen
86 Silistra - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silistra
44 Sliven - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sliven
301 Smolyan - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smolyan
2 Sofia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofia
42 Stara Zagora - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stara_Zagora
601 Targovishte - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targovishte
52 Varna - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varna
62 Veliko Tarnovo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliko_Tarnovo
94 Vidin - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidin
92 Vratsa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vratsa
46 Yambol - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yambol
Administrative division: Bulgaria is divided into 28 regions (named after their respective regional centre), which are further subdivided into 262 municipalities. The governors of the regions are appointed directly by the Government. The municipalities act as self-governing bodies.
Legislation and Institutions: Bulgaria is a Parliamentary Republic governed by a National Assembly, consisting of 240 deputies who are elected for four-year terms, and the Legislature is the basic power within the country. The Constitution provides for a multi-party, parliamentary system and free elections on the basis of universal suffrage. The National Assembly is vested with the legislative power and exercises parliamentary control.
The President serves as Head of State. He is directly elected once every five years for a maximum of two terms. Also he is the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria as well. The President appoints the Prime-Minister designate to form a government schedules the elections for a National Assembly and for the bodies of local self-government and sets the date for national referendums, pursuant to a resolution of the National Assembly promulgates the adopted laws with a decree countersigned by the Prime Minister or the minister concerned.
The Council of Ministers is the principal body of the Executive Branch. Chaired by the Prime Minister, it heads and implements the domestic and the foreign policy of the state, ensures the public order and the national security, exercises overall guidance over the state administration and the Armed Forces.
The municipality is the basic administrative territorial unit at the level of which self-government is exercised. The Municipal Councils, one of the local bodies of the executive branch, determine the policy of the municipality with regards to its development, the preservation of the environment, the health, social, educational, cultural activity, etc. The chief executive in the municipality is the Mayor. He manages the entire executive activity of the municipality, and is responsible for the public order maintenance, organizes the implementation of the municipality budget. The region is an administrative territorial unit where the state authority is decentralized for the purpose of pursuing an effective regional policy. The government of the region is performed by a regional governor, appointed by the Council of Ministers.
Bulgaria has an independent judiciary and based on Three-Instances-procedure. The Supreme Administrative Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation oversee the application of all laws by lower courts and judges the legality of government actions. A separate Constitutional Court rules on the constitutionality of laws and treaties. Judicial reforms are being implemented to bring Bulgaria s judiciary to European Union standards. The Supreme Judicial Council was established to organize the activities of the judiciary.
Neighborhood: Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece to the south, Turkey to the south east and Black sea to the coast.
Political Situation and State system: Bulgaria is stable politically in the Balkan region. Bulgaria adopted the current constitution in July 12, 1991 and became a Parliamentary Republic. The most recent elections took place on June 25, 2005. In December 1997 Bulgaria was invited by the European Union to open accession negotiations for admission to membership of the Union. In March 2004 Bulgaria joined NATO and in June of that year, negotiations with the EU led to a Treaty with full membership in 2007. It has free trade agreements with many other countries, giving unrestricted access to a trading market with 560 million consumers. Bulgaria became EU member 1 January 2007.
Suffrage: at 18 years of age.
Literacy: 98,5 % College degree: 15 % University degree: 22 % of population
Relief: diverse. Average height above sea level - 470 m. 31.5% of the country’s territory is plain. Sea level - up to 200 m. 41% are lowlands and hilly regions (from 200 to 600 m above sea level), and 27.5% are mountains (from 600 to more than 1,600 m above sea level).
Climate: Four seasons, moderate continental with Black Sea influence in the east and Mediterranean in the south. Average temperatures during January vary from -2 to 2 degrees centigrade in the valleys to – 10 degrees centigrade in the mountains. Average temperatures for June vary from 19-25 degrees centigrade in the valleys to 10 degrees centigrade in the high mountains. Rainfalls are 450-600 mm in the valleys to 1300 mm in the mountains.
Nature: The Black Sea coastline to the east measures 354 km. The lowest point is sea level on the sea coast, while the highest is Musala peak within the Rila National Park at 2925 m. Main rivers are Danube, Maritsa, Mesta, Strouma, Iskar, Yantra. There are warm and cold mineral springs (more than 600), lakes’ coastal (some with curative mineral mud) and of glacial origin (in the Rila and Pirin mountains). The plant and animal world’s extremely diverse. An Act on the Protected Territories is operating in Bulgaria, aimed at the preservation of the country’s flora and fauna. It has specified the following categories in the country: a national and Nature Park, a reserve and a tended reserve, a natural sight, a protected locality.
Bulgaria's natural resources are quite limited. It is almost completely dependent on oil and gas imported from Russia. Locally extracted oil has been around 1000 barrels per day, just over 1% of total consumption.
There are iron ore and non-ferrous ore deposits, such as copper, lead and zinc. The main sites of iron ore deposits are located near the Kremikovtsi steel factory in the Sofia region. Total deposits of iron ore are estimated at 317m tones. Nonferrous ore deposits of copper, lead, and zinc are mined in open cast mines in the Rhodope Mountains.
Bulgaria also has around 40 coal basins, most of which are lignite. All of them together amount to some 4.1 bn tones of proven recoverable reserves; coal is principally used by local thermal power stations. Meanwhile, deposits of bituminous and anthracite coal have almost been used up. Pernik basin, located south-west of the capital, and Maritsa, near Plovdiv, are the principal mining areas. Other mineral resources include rock salt, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, kaolin (china clay), asbestos, perlite, feldspar, fluorite and barite.
Tourism: Huge tourism growth potential. 37,500km hiking paths and mountain trails. The World Tourism Organization predicts Bulgaria to welcome in excess of 20 million tourists by 2020, making it one of the world’s greatest emerging tourism markets. Sand, ski, spa, mountains, breathtaking scenery and healthy lifestyle. A sea, rivers, mountains, lakes, forts and plains, warm and cold, mineral water springs, all put in the bounds of relatively small territory.
The Bulgarian Black Sea Littoral is a preferred holiday destination for an increasing number of tourists from around Europe. It offers an ideal package of healthy climate, numerous days of sunshine in the summer season. Various resorts coming up to the mark of renowned European counterparts to make a holiday unforgettable.There are many Bulgarian Black-sea resorts: Albena, Zlatni Pyassatsi, Slanchev briag, Riviera, Nessebar, Pomorie, Primorsko, Kiten.
Suitable ski runs and facilities for skiing tourism and winter sports are on offer in the mountains of Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, Vitosha, and Stara Planina. The ski-season duration in the average- and high-altitude mountain resorts is up to 190 days. Ski runs’ total length exceeds 80 km with level differences of up to 1500 m.The resorts Borovetz, Bansko and Pamporovo have year-round functioning accommodation premises and a winter sports infrastructure undergoing renovation and development. Other new ski tourism centers are also established: Smolyan, Chepelare,etc.
Health status and healthcare: At the present time the Bulgarian health system is facing some challenges. During the 1990s, the health status of the Bulgarian population generally was worsened. Even though the mortality rate has fallen over the last few years, it is still one of the highest in the EU. Infant mortality, at 11.6 per 1000 live births, is a particular cause for concern. Despite the fact that total expenditure on health has increased since 1998, accounting for 7.0% of GDP in 2004, public expenditure has not kept pace. The share of private funding of health care has further increased. The main reforms carried out to make the Bulgarian health system more productive and responsive to patients' needs. Bulgarian health reform is particularly characterized by a gradual shift from a public tax-based and hospital-oriented health system towards compulsory health insurance based on contracting mechanisms for purchasing a defined package of care from an increasingly privatized provider side. In the new system, the role of primary care - and especially of the general practitioner operating as a gatekeeper - has been strengthened. The reforms in the health sector have enhanced competition between providers, increased patients' choice, improved the quality of care and strengthened health promotion. Expanding both the voluntary health insurance and private health care market and improving standards of good practice are on the list for further action. It will take more time to measure the impact of reforms on the overall health status of the Bulgarian population.
Cuisine: Bulgarian Cuisine is very close to traditional European cuisine and famous for its rich salads required at every meal. One traditional Bulgarian menu includes bread, yogurt and fresh milk, cheese, tomatoes, paprika, potatoes, onions, beans and fruits, grappa and red or white wine. Bulgarian cuisine is noted for the diversity and quality of dairy products and the variety of wines and local alcoholic drinks such as rakiya (brandy), mastika and menta, which can be quite strong. Bulgarian cuisine features also a variety of hot and cold soups, an example of a cold soup being tarator. There are many different Bulgarian pastries as well such as banitsa.Certain entries, salads, soups and dishes go well with alcoholic beverages and the alcohol of choice for some is Bulgarian wine.