Bulgaria is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe, situated on the western shore of the Black Sea. It has a diverse landscape, from fertile plains to wine valleys and mountains of majestic beauty. It is becoming a popular sun, sea and sand tourist destination. Its capital city, Sofia, has a rich history, and is one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans. Its mountain ranges offer great opportunities for trekking and skiing.

Bulgarians are a very friendly people who communicate directly. It is common for them to express their emotions, even negative ones, among their peers and family members. This makes it easy to make friends in Bulgaria. In addition, it is typical for teenagers in Bulgaria to stay out on the weekends until very late (2 AM). This is considered a cultural tradition, and it might be challenging for parents to introduce a curfew.

In the family, both parents usually work and assume equal responsibilities for the household. However, the younger children do not always respect this division of labor and expect to be involved in all household decisions. It is also common for grandparents to live with the family.

A large part of the population is Orthodox Christians. Many families celebrate Christmas and Easter together. Other holidays include Liberation Day (March 3), Culture and Literacy Day (May 24) and Reunification Day (September 22).

The Constitution is the supreme law of the state. It shall guarantee the dignity and rights of the individual and shall provide conditions conducive to free economic initiative. It shall prevent discrimination on grounds of race, national or social origin, ethnic self-identity, sex, religion, education, opinion, political affiliation, personal or property status, as well as the infringing of copyright, industrial design and patent protection.

Bulgarian is the official language of the state. It is a member of the Eastern Slavic family, with a sizable number of loanwords from Russian and Church Slavonic. There is a purist movement in the country that aims to replace these words with native Bulgarian ones.

Traditionally, the Bulgarians wore martenitsa, which was made of white and red yarn and worn around the wrist or pinned on clothes, to mark the beginning of spring. Today, many people wear martenitsas if they see a stork (considered a harbinger of spring). It is also customary for family members and friends to exchange these ornaments, and to tie them on the branches of trees.

Among the most important natural resources in the country are its rivers, lakes and mineral springs. The Danube, the Maritsa and the Struma are the main waterways. The Rila and Pirin mountains are home to several glacial and dam lakes, as well as several mineral hot springs. The Rila National Park is a refuge for the local fauna, which includes suslik, rock partridges, capercaillie, chamois, wall creepers and accentors. The area is also a habitat for flora, such as wild roses and edelweiss.