BULGARIA
Republic Bulgaria
The area: 110,9 thousand км2.
Population: 8,8 million persons (1998).
State language: the Bulgarian.
Capital: Sofia (1,3 million inhabitants, 1994).
The state holiday: Day of clearing of Bulgaria from osmanskogo yokes (on March, 3rd, since 1878).
Monetary unit: a lion.
The member of the United Nations since 1955 Enters into the Council of Europe since 1992
The state is located in Southern Europe in the northeast of Balkan peninsula. Borders on Romania, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Yugoslavia. In the east it is washed by waters of Black sea.
It cтрана on all seasons. Infinite sand of beaches along coast of Black sea involve to Bulgaria in the summer, and snow-covered hillsides and sparkling coniferous woods - in the winter.
Climate of Bulgaria – moderately continental, transitive to Mediterranean (the extreme south). The average temperature of January makes from +2 With to-2 C, July - to +25 C. Mid-annual quantity of deposits of 500-600 mm.
Language
Official Bulgarian, also are used Russian, English, German.
Creed
Orthodoxy, is Moslems-sunnity.
Political system
Republic with parliamentary management. The head of the state is the president, and constantly operating Supreme regulatory authority - unicameral National meeting.
Time zone
Coincides with the Kiev.
Flight/moving
To Bulgaria from Ukraine it is possible to reach a regular flight Kiev — Sofia and charter-parties Kiev — Plovdiv companies "Aeroretinues". To the Bulgarian capital there is a train from Kiev.
The visa of Bulgaria
For visa reception to Bulgaria are necessary: the passport; 1 photos; the questionnaire; the insurance.
Interview is not required. Cost of registration of the visa — 20 euros. To children till 16 years and to persons is more senior 60 years of the visa stand out free of charge. For children till 16 years leaving with one parent or without parents, the visa stands out in the presence of notarially certified permission of the second parent or both parents.
For the tourists travelling on own car, the log copy is necessary.
The visa is valid for the period which has been declared by the addressee. The transit Romanian visa stands out to the tourists, travelling motor transport. It is made out week and costs from $30.
Customs of Bulgaria
Duty-free import of cigarettes — to 200 pieces, tobacco products — to 250 g, fault — to 2 l, strong spirits — to 1 l, spirits — 50 ml is resolved. Computers and other expensive things are subject to declaring of a jewelry, a videocamera. Import and export of drugs, the weapon, medpreparatov (except medicines for a private use), protected kinds of animals and plants, and also the subjects representing historical, art or other value is forbidden.
Among the economic and cultural centres the leading place is occupied with Sofia. It is one of the youngest capitals in Europe, become by the main city of Bulgaria in 1879, soon after clearing of the power of Ottoman empire. Located at mountain Vitoshi bottom, the city amazes with greens abundance. A lay-out basically radially-ring. In Sofia many the most interesting monuments and the big sculptural groups concerning by different historical epoch. Among them — a building of National meeting, Alexander Nevskogo's cathedral, a mosque in city centre.
The biggest city of southern Bulgaria and the economic centre of region — Plovdiv having centuries-old history. Here there was a capital of Thrace, and then ancient Filippopol — capital of Macedonian tsar Phillip II. In the centre — the ancient small streets rising on slopes of picturesque rocky hills on which slopes the rests of the Roman fortifications here and there are visible. This part of a city remains as architecturally-historical reserve.
Varna - the biggest city and port of northern Bulgaria, the largest industrial centre. It is located on the bank of the sea gulf with the same name on an extensive, equal terrace towering over the sea. The southern part of a city an amphitheatre goes down to moorings of port and extensive Varnensky lake. Ruse — industrial centre and port on Danube. Near to it the big two-story bridge through the river is located are main overland gate of Bulgaria through which transportation of cargoes and passengers to Romania and other countries is carried out.
Gabrovo is in the geographical centre of the country, at northern slopes of a ridge Stara Planina, on the trading way conducting from Danube on the south through convenient Shipkinsky pass. This industrial city a narrow multikilometer strip lasts along the valley of the river Jantry clamped by mountains.
City It is great-tyrnovo costs on high hills, it is formed It is great-tyrnovyh the river cutting a calcareous plateau. Has entered into the Bulgarian history in 1185 when tyrnovskie feudal lords brothers-boyars Asen and Peter have headed revolt against Byzantium dominating then on the Balkans, and have based the Second Bulgarian kingdom. The city has reached the big blossoming. Ancient annals named it «Tsargrad Tyrnovo», «the Spouse of Constantinople». On hill TSarevets ruins of an imperial palace, houses court and sets of churches up to now have remained. Now TSarevets it is transformed into archaeological reserve.
The choice of hotels is wide enough. Along with absolutely inexpensive three-stars there are also the hotels of new generation having the full right to be called four-and five-stars. Their worthy competitors are small and inexpensive family hotels, including cottages in which to visitors are provided calmness, a cosiness and a house food. And tourists receive the guaranteed level of service everywhere, besides they get to atmosphere of special kindliness, so characteristic for Bulgaria.
However, all it should affect the prices - cheap Bulgaria now to name it is impossible. However, if to compare it to other resort powers, it in Europe one of the most accessible, and with worthy and constantly growing quality of rest.
Resorts of northern coast, such as the Mermaid, Albena, Gold sand, Riviera, the Sunny day, St. Konstantin and Elena, differ the developed infrastructure and the European quality of service. Here it is a lot of bars, discos, restaurants, shops and a rich night life.
At southern coast resort complexes Solar coast, Dunes - a resort working on system "all inclusive", and small silent seaside small towns are located: nesebr, Sozopol, Pomorze, Kiten, Ravda.
In the winter Bulgaria invites tourists to the mounting skiing resorts which provide good level of service at reasonable prices.