Bulgaria has a rich culture that is depicted in the jewelry, costumes, dance, music and cuisine. The country is a member of the European Union and NATO. It borders five countries: Romania and Serbia in the north, Greece and Turkey in the south, and Macedonia in the west. Bulgaria is also home to the Black Sea coast in the east.

The country is known for its wines, especially the red ones. The alcoholic beverage rakia is brewed from grapes and it has been around since ancient times. The country is also known for its traditional folk dancing and musical instruments, such as the gaida (bagpipes), kaval (rim-blown flute), zurna or zurla (another woodwind instrument), tambura, and gadulka (violin-like). The dances are done in groups or in pairs and are usually very fast. They are also performed at weddings and generally countryside fiestas.

There are many places to visit in Bulgaria and the country is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday. The capital, Sofia, is a beautiful city that has plenty of shopping and restaurants. It is also home to the National Historical Museum, which has a wealth of archaeological treasures and paintings from different periods in the nation’s history.

People from the city can travel to the mountainous areas and enjoy the spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. There are many places to go hiking in the countryside and enjoy the fresh air. The mountainous region is also popular with skiers. The city of Plovdiv is the cultural capital of the country and has a large number of museums, theatres, and other venues for entertainment.

Education is very important in Bulgaria. It is compulsory for children to attend school from the ages of three through six. The country has a highly-developed university system and offers scholarships to excellent students. Bulgarians are very proud of their culture and try to pass it on to the next generations.

The eldest members of the family are given the best food and they are greeted and served first in social gatherings. The language spoken is the South Slavic one and is written in the Cyrillic alphabet. The most common religion is Christianity and it is practiced by a majority of the population.

In the early 1930’s the Great Depression hit Bulgaria causing a slump in market demand that led to falling prices and wages. This caused economic turmoil and the government of Prime Minister Liapchev was defeated in the 1931 elections. His successor was the nationalist leader Stamboliiski who created a militia to deal with urban unrest. He also introduced anti-usury laws and made an effort to redistribute wealth amongst the peasants.

The most popular meal in Bulgaria is a simple dish of grilled meat and vegetables. The dish is called sarmi and it can include chicken, pork or beef. Another popular dish is kufte which are flat meatballs and can be made with either beef or veal. Lyutenitsa is a red-colored relish made with peppers and tomatoes. It is eaten on bread for breakfast or used as a garnish for meat dishes. Another popular Bulgarian dish is tarator, a cold cucumber soup that is a welcome relief on hot summer days.