Bulgaria is a beautiful country with a wealth of cultural and natural treasures. It also has a very long history of political stability and strong ties with the western world.
The country is located at the crossroads of eastern Europe and Central Asia, offering rich opportunities for foreign investment in agriculture, manufacturing, transport and communications, tourism, energy, mineral resources and more. The population is approximately 7.5 million. The capital, Sofia, is located in the northeastern part of the country. The city is surrounded by picturesque mountains, many of which are popular for skiing and hiking. There are several rivers flowing through the country, including the Danube and the Maritsa River. Bulgaria is abundant in mineral resources, including lignite and anthracite coal, as well as sulphur, iron, lead, zinc, copper, silver, gold and manganese. The country also has substantial reserves of gypsum and rock salt.
Throughout the centuries, Bulgaria was ruled by a variety of powerful empires, each leaving its mark on the culture and language of the country. The combination of this diverse heritage makes Bulgaria a unique and fascinating place to visit.
While some people reject any influences from outside, others embrace them to further develop their own cultures and civilizations. Bulgarians are a people of the second type. They were lucky to live where the borders of some of the most important world civilizations were in close proximity – and they assimilated the best that each had to offer.
One of the best examples is the cuisine of the country, which is extremely varied and delicious. The Bulgarian food tradition is marked by an extraordinary abundance of grilled dishes, stews and meat-based entrees that are enjoyed both by locals and tourists alike.
From sarma, made of stuffed vine leaves or cabbage with minced pork and rice inside, to the famous kebab, bulgarian food is filled with meaty goodness. And don’t forget about the sweets, ranging from baklava to kifle, a pastry similar in shape to a croissant that can be filled with Nutella, jam or walnuts.
Traditionally, on holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve, Bulgarian cooks would put in their pastry some kind of luck charm. These might be coins, small symbolic objects (such as a dogwood branch with a bud, representing health or longevity), or written happy wishes on paper, wrapped up in tin foil and inserted into the desserts.
As for drinks, the country is a major producer of wines, especially red ones. The most well-known are Melnik and Tran