Fascinating Facts About Bulgaria

• Location and Borders: Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.
• Square: The country covers an area of approximately 110,879 square kilometers.
• National Currency: The currency of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN).

Interesting Facts About Bulgaria:

• No Official State Religion: Although Bulgaria does not have an official state religion, the majority of Bulgarians are members of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
• Ancient Nation: Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe and the only one that has never changed its name since its establishment.
• Archaeological Treasure Trove: Bulgaria ranks third in the world for the number of archaeological sites, only behind Greece and Italy.
• National Drink: Rakia, a traditional fruit brandy, is the primary alcoholic beverage enjoyed by Bulgarians.
• Rose Oil Production: Bulgaria produces half of the world’s rose oil, a crucial ingredient in many perfumes.
• Tourist Destination: In 2005, Bulgaria attracted five million tourists to its coastal and mountain resorts.
• Cultural Heritage: The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has collected over 70,000 Bulgarian folk songs.
• Ancient Dance Tradition: The fire dance is one of the oldest Bulgarian traditions and is still performed in some mountain villages.
• National Symbol: The Bulgarian rose is a national symbol and a major export product.
• Wine Production: With a favorable climate, Bulgaria is one of the largest wine producers in the world, producing approximately 200,000 tons of quality wine annually.
• Innovative Contributions: Bulgarian physicist and inventor John Vincent Atanasoff invented the first electronic digital computer.
• Accurate Calendar: In 1976, UNESCO recognized the ancient Bulgarian calendar as the most accurate in the world.
• Traditional Instrument: The “gaida,” a type of bagpipe, is considered the national musical instrument of Bulgaria.
• Forested Lands: Almost one-third of Bulgaria’s territory is covered by forests.
• Historic Capital: Sofia, the capital city, is the second oldest city in Europe and boasts over 250 historical landmarks.
• Majestic Mountains: The highest peak in Bulgaria, Mount Musala, stands at 2,925 meters above sea level and is part of the Rila Mountain range.
• Pioneering Aviator: Rayna Kasabova, a pilot in the Bulgarian Air Force, was the first woman in the world to participate in a military flight.
• Resort Diversity: Bulgaria is home to 142 resorts, including 26 coastal resorts, 56 mountain resorts, and 58 spa resorts.
• Early Adopters of Christianity: Bulgarians were the first Slavic people to adopt Christianity.
• Healthcare Costs: While there are monthly healthcare expenses, patients still need to pay 1% of the national minimum wage for private doctor or dentist visits.
• Market Practices: In Bulgarian markets, you won’t find stalls selling their own dairy products or meats.
• Historical Occupation: Bulgaria was occupied by the Soviet Union (USSR) and remained a communist country until the early 1990s.
• Ancient Gold Treasure: The world’s oldest gold treasure was discovered in Bulgaria.
• Record-Breaking Athlete: Stefka Kostadinova set a world record in the high jump at the World Championships in Rome with a jump of 2.09 meters.
• Safe Streets: You can walk the brightly lit streets of any Bulgarian city at 2 AM without any fear of consequences.