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Bulgaria is located in South Eastern Europe and borders the Black Sea between Romania and Turkey. The total population is about 7,8 million people with the highest concentrations living in the major cities or towns of Sofia (the capital), Plovdiv, Pleven, Stara, Zagora, Sliven, Varna and Burgas (the last two being cities at the Black Sea coast which boasts 378 km (220 miles) of sandy coastline.

Environment

Bulgaria offers an astonishing array of landscapes, flora and fauna, recreational activities and wildlife. You will discover the magnificent beaches – the numerous ski resorts – the characteristic villages and fascinating architecture – the natural spas and treatment centres – and not to forget: the delicious food!

• The Black Sea Coast offers an attractive seaside holiday for rest and recreation. The sunshine record is exceptional - nearly 300 days of sunshine the yearly average. Various opportunities exist for climate and balneo-treatment, yachting, surfing, water skiing, diving, underwater fishing, other aquatic sports and diverse types of entertainment. In addition, opportunities for hiking, cycling, riding, photo-tourism, eco-tourism, and excursions to natural, archaeological and cultural places of interest abound.
• Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Vitosha and the Balkan Mountains offer wonderful possibilities for skiing and mountain hiking. The international resorts of Pamporovo, Borovets and Bansko allows one to enjoy some of the best skiing in Europe - with snow from Christmas to Easter.
• Bulgaria has more than 600 hot, warm and cold mineral springs of varied physical and chemical contents, mineralisation, curative gases, biologically active trace elements, temperature and curative properties. A number of businesses offer talasso-therapy, pearl baths, underwater massage, phyto-therapy, curative mud, inhalations, manual therapy, paraffin treatment, acupuncture, helio-prophylaxis, ozone and oxygen therapy, slimming procedures, balneo-cosmetics, etc.
• Bulgaria enjoys a network of three national and nine nature parks, a number of reserves and natural places including gorges, steep rocks, and waterfalls.

Facilities

• Modern facilities are in place throughout Bulgaria.

History

• Bulgaria has over 30,000 historical monuments from different historical epochs, 36 culture reserves, 330 museums and galleries. The Bulgarian lands are ancient crossroads. They were populated from remote antiquity and remember many ancient civilizations.
• The state of Bulgaria has a 1300 year old history and according to the statistics, it is ranked third (after Greece and Italy) for its number of archaeological monuments. The earliest inhabitants of the present Bulgarian lands were the Thracians. Ancient Greek historian Herodotus describes the Thracians as the second biggest tribe in the Ancient world, after the Indians. The most famous Thracians were Spartacus and Orpheus.

People

• Many Bulgarian villages, located in environmentally clean regions, have preserved their traditional outlook and genuine atmosphere for developing rural tourism. They are ready to open their hospitable doors to those willing to share the rich traditions and folklore, agricultural activities, preserved old crafts, and delicious and varied local cuisine.

Value for Money

• Bulgaria offers overseas nationals a terrific opportunity to find a luxury property at an affordable price. To see for yourself click here.

Bulgaria is a renowned producer and exporter of wine to more than 70 countries in the world. On the territory of Bulgaria there are 12 wineries producing a variety of excellent wines.

Bulgarian food is close to traditional European cuisine. A traditional Bulgarian menu includes bread, yogurt and fresh milk, cheese, tomatoes, paprika, potatoes, onions, beans and fruits, grappa and red or white wine. Food specialities include:

• Shopska salad - prepared from diced tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, green peppers, topped with feta cheese and seasoned with olive oil and parsley
• Mlechna salad - prepared from strained yogurt seasoned with olives, crashed walnuts, finely diced garlic and parsley
• Tarator - cold served soup from yogurt, fresh cucumbers, seasoned with walnuts, garlic and dill
• Sirene po Shopski - feta cheese, diced tomatoes and onion topped with egg and cooked in pottery
• Kebapche - minced meat rolls seasoned with traditional spices and fine herbs and barbequed
• Kuyfte - minced meat balls seasoned with traditional spices and fine herbs and barbequed
• Shish Kebab - grilled skewered meat, onion and paprika
• Banitsa - baked pumpkin pastry filled with cheese or meet
• Crème Caramel - delicious dessert prepared from fresh milk, eggs and caramelized sugar, similar to the classic French crème brulee.

Bulgaria is a former communist country now striving to enter NATO in November 2003 and the European Union, which is expected to be granted in 2007.

Since 1996, the country has experienced macroeconomic stability and positive growth rates (due in part, to the introduction of a currency board in 1997) and it exists under what is now a stable parliamentary democracy, with a majority in parliament and public consensus on key social and economic priorities.

Bulgaria demonstrates economic growth at 4.5% (one of the highest in Europe), annual inflation at 3.8% and strong growth figures in the tourism industry (up 10% in 2002 compared to 2001). It boasts low rates of taxation across the board and has one of the lowest cost centres in Europe, though the workforce is highly skilled and qualified.

The currency is the Bulgarian Lev (1 Euro = 1.98 Lev) which is already pegged to the Euro.

Real estate prices grew by 4.37% between Oct'2002 and Mar'2003.

In its April 2003 issue, the independent property related newsletter "Hot Property Alert" was quoted as saying that “Bulgarian real estate has enormous potential”. The Times was also recently quoted as saying that “if Bulgaria joins the EU there is the possibility that property prices could take off, rewarding early buyers”. Bulgaria was also recently featured on the UK Channel 4’s ‘A Place in the Sun’
programme when it was stated that the country offered “excellent value for money for foreign investors with prices ranging from as little as £5,000 for a traditional cottage”.

Other respected newspapers have also run articles recently about the property bargains to be had in Bulgaria such as The Financial Times – “Time to probe Balkan Bargains” and the Sunday Telegraph with – “New kids on the Eastern Bloc”. The Times again – “Bargain hunters look to the East”.

The country benefits from a temperate continental climate with clearly marked four seasons. A mild Mediterranean influence is felt in the more southerly regions and the Black Sea coast with average summer temperatures of 80+ degrees (fahrenheit) and an average of 1700 sunshine hours from May to October. Winters can be cold in other parts of the country, hence its popularity as a destination for skiers.