Originally called the Republic of
Bulgaria, this country is found in Southern Europe on the coast of the Black
Sea. This country, which is bordered by Greece, Serbia, and Turkey, among
others, has a total land area of 110,912 square kilometers with only 3 percent
of this in water.
Bulgaria's capital is Sofia which is
the largest city in the country and can be found in the province that bears the
same name. Bulgaria is a country rich in culture and history, which makes it a
very attractive destination for tourists who love visiting museums and other
historically significant sights. One of the rather notable artifacts on display
in one of the museums in Bulgaria shows just how rich and far reaching the
country's ancestry is. The golden Varna treasure, which is rumored to be 6,500
years old, was said to have been crafted by the Thracians who were the occupants
of ancient Bulgaria. This European country is also known as the home of the
world's second most frequently used alphabet system called the cyrillic
alphabet. This alphabet was said to have been developed in two of their most
prestigious literary schools in the tenth century. '
Bulgaria is also known for
its very diverse culture that shows a mix of both eastern and western European
influences. This eclectic mix of both East and West is evident in their rich
music, traditional folklore, tales, and many local rituals. Bulgaria is also the
home of some internationally acclaimed celebrities like opera singers Ghena
Dimitrova and Boris Christoff with the inclusion of such artists like Pascin and
Vladimir Dimitrov to this list. The person credited for being the father of the
modern-day digital computer is also of Bulgarian descent although born and
raised in the United States.
Bulgaria has often been noted as an
essential gateway between the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia. As such,
half of the Trans-European corridors is found to run through this country.
Tourists can easily get to Bulgaria via their four international airports and
can tour the other areas of this historically stunning location by using various
modes of transportation which include motorways, railways, and paved roads for
those who wish to see the country by car.
The most popular sport here is, of course, football. The Bulgarian National Football Team and League has been enjoying a huge following and has a FIFA World Cup Championship fourth place victory to their name. Other popular sports that Bulgarians excel at include chess and volleyball with chess masters from the nation claiming world championship titles and the national volleyball team ranking fifth in Europe.
The country is also known for the
diverse choices in activities tourists might enjoy in the different seasons that
they enjoy. With a temperate climate that gives the nation hot and dry summers
as well as cold and damp winters, people can experience a wide range of
activities and adventures depending on the time of year. Summer can see tourists
and locals alike basking in the sun on the numerous resorts found all along the
Black Sea coast. Winter will bring people over to the lovely mountains that are
home to ski resorts in Pamporovo and Bansko.
Bulgaria is a mixture of wonders for the daring and for the not-so-adventurous as well. To really get to feel and savor the country, one has to go and absorb the culture and atmosphere himself.