:: LOCATION ::
Situated in southeastern Europe, Bulgaria occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the North, via the Danube River, it borders on Romania, to the West – on Serbia and Montenegro and on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. To the South its neighbours are Greece and Turkey. To the East Bulgaria touches the Black Sea, which links it also to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. The Black Sea borderline is 378 km (240 miles) long. The country’s total territory is 111 000 sq. km (43 000 sq. miles).

:: RELIEF ::
Bulgaria possesses a variety of natural forms, located in the range of altitude from 0 to 2,925 m. Its territory includes part of the lower Danube Plain, The Balkan Range – part of the Alpine-and-Himalayan chain, part of the Thracian lowland and to the south – the mountain structures of the Macedonian-Thracian massif. The best-known mountain ranges are Rila (highest peak Mussala – 2,925 m.), Pirin (Vihren – 2,914 m.), Stara Planina or the Balkan range (Botev Peak – 2,376 m.), and the Rhodopes (Golyam Perelik- 2,191 m.) as well as Mount Vitosha (Cherni Vrah – 2,291 m.)

:: FLORA AND FAUNA ::
Bulgaria has many regions which have preserved in their natural state unique natural nooks, preserving a remarkable bio-diversity. Contemporary natural vegetation demonstrates considerable ecological diversity.
12,360 species have been found in its composition, of which 3,700 are higher plants. The Bulgarian endemic plants, which are to be found nowhere else in the world, number more than 250: Rila primrose, Balkan violet, Bulgarian blackberry, Rhodopean tulip etc. Forests abound with wild fruits, briars, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, mushrooms – all of them of proven flavour and of qualities that strengthen the body. There is also a great diversity of herbs and healing plants.
Bulgaria’s fauna numbers some 13,000 species, which is 14% of the total number of registered animal species in Europe. Rare mammal species are to be found in this country. Pelicans, stags, deer, does, wild goats, quails, pheasants etc. inhabit reserves and hunting grounds.

:: CLIMATE ::
The predominant climate in Bulgaria is moderate and transitional continental. (2,000 to 2,400 hours of sunlight per year). Four seasons. Dry and hot summer. Average temperature (April - September): + 23 °C. Cold winter with snowfalls, average temperature: 0 °C. The average yearly temperature is 10.5 °C.
A Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, humid winters, prevails in the valley of the southwestern Rhodope Mountains. The northern limits of the climatic zone is the Balkan Range.
Many people from different countries come to live in Bulgaria, the climate is very suitable for curing pulmonary difficulties or sickness. Plenty of sanatoriums and medical institutions are helping thousands of people every year.

The average January temperature in Sofia ranges between
-4° and 2°. The July temperature ranges between 16° and 27° C. Along the Black Sea, the average January temperature ranges between -1° and 6° C and the July temperature ranges between 19° and 30° C.
The soft transitional Mediterranean climate and the fertile soils are very suitable for growing the century-famed Bulgarian attar-yielding rose – a valuable raw material for perfumery, medical products, food and wine, and tobacco industries.