Bulgaria

Photo: Guide Bulgaria

Bulgaria is situated in south-eastern Europe. It occupies the central part of Balkan peninsula on both sides of the Balkan Range (the Balkans), from which the peninsula has taken its name. The grater part of the northern border with Romania passes along the Danube, and the eastern border is the Black Sea. The land borders with Serbia and Macedonia to the west, with Turkey to the south-east, and with Greece to the south.

Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country, with tourism opportunities being one of its biggest assets. The modern ski resorts as Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo and Vitosha attract attention of lots of foreign tourists.
Bulgaria possesses beautiful landscapes and beaches, and is becoming a real resort paradise.

The Black Sea Coast on its East border is famous for its fine sanded beaches, and perfect temperatures of water and air. There are plenty of sea resorts (Albena, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Elenite, etc.) and sea towns and villages (Varna, Bourgas,Balchik, Nessebur, Sozopol, etc.) that give opportunity for great sea holidays

Further, Bulgaria has around 600 natural mineral springs, with water temperatures ranging from 20 to 60 degrees Celsius, whose baths and health spas are famous tourist attractions. The most known spa resorts are Hissarya, Velingrad, Devin, Varshets, Pavel Banya and more.

Divisions: The territory of the republic of Bulgaria is divided into 263 municipalities from 28 districts (provinces), grouped into 6 "planing economic regions". The administrative territorial division is (*):
North - Western Region - Districts: Vidin, Vratza, Montana, Lovech, Pleven
North - Central Region - Districts : Veliko Turnovo, Gabrovo, Rousse, Razgrad, Silistra,
North - Eastern Region - Districts : Dobrich, Shumen, Varna, Targovishte
South - Western Region - Districts: Sofia- Town, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik, Sofia- District
South - Central Region - Districts: Pazardjik, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Kurdgiali, Haskovo
South - Eastern Region - Districts: Bourgas, Sliven, Yambol, Stara Zagora

Note: The last grouping of the districts in the planing regions is from 2008, which replace an old grouping from 2005. The changes are:
- Districts of Pleven and Lovech are moved from North-Central to North-Western region
- Districts of Silistra and Razgrad are moved from North-Eastern to North-Central region
- District of Stara Zagora is moved from South-Central to North-Eastern region