Facts about Bulgaria
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Officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country on the Balkan Peninsula, in Eastern Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the east, Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, and Romania to the north, mostly along the Danube. Bulgaria also shares a maritime border with Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia. The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia.
Bulgaria is a country with an ancient history dating back to prehistoric times, the Thracian, Greek and Roman worlds of antiquity and the powerful Bulgarian Empire of the Middle Ages founded in 681. Geographically and climatically, Bulgaria is noted for its diversity, with the landscape ranging from the Alpine snow-capped peaks in Rila, Pirin and the Balkan Mountains to the mild and sunny weather of the Black Sea coast, from the typically continental Danubian Plain (ancient Moesia) in the north to the strong Mediterranean influence in the valleys of Macedonia and the lowlands in the southernmost parts of Thrace.
Bulgaria joined NATO on March 29, 2004 and the European Union on January 1, 2007. The country has been a member of the United Nations since 1955, and is a founding member of OSCE. As a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty, Bulgaria takes part in the governing of the territories situated south of 60° south latitude. Politics of Bulgaria takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Chairman of the Council of Ministers is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. Since 1990 Bulgaria has an unstable party system, wherein nowadays the post-communist social democratic Bulgarian Socialist Party and the personalist liberal National Movement Simeon II are dominant. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The U.S. Freedom House rates the country with a 1 on political rights and with a 2 on civil rights (on a scale of 1 to 7 whereas 1 is the most free). Freedom House considers Bulgaria to be a free country.
Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Bulgarian holiday homes
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If you love skiing and the winter sports, Bulgaria is your favourite place. You will discover the marvelous conditions for sport and recreation in the three biggest ski resorts. The ski runs have different difficulty, the hotels are approved according to the world quality standards, the climate is mild and the people are friendly. A winter holiday in Bulgaria will make you experience fantastic moments that you have not even supposed you could experience.Researches of real estate agencies show that Bulgaria is one of the most wanted destinations for investing in holiday homes as the prices of those properties at the local ski resorts are the lowest in Europe. Compared to the most prestigious destinations for ski tourism in Europe – Switzerland, Andora and France, the Bulgarian properties are between 2 and 4 times less expensive. The average price for a holiday home apartment at the Bulgarian ski resort such as Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets is approximately 50 000 euro. In the mountain areas of France and Andora the prices are about 170 000 euro, in the Swiss Alps they reach the cosmic amount of about 260-270 000 euro.The Bulgarian winter resorts are attractive for their good ski conditions and entertainment opportunities, the beautiful nature and mild climate.Almost 80% of the holiday home buyers are doing it for an investment. Prices of about 800-1000 euro per sq. m. attract foreign investors as they consider them sensible. At any costs most of the investors realize that the profit margin of renting out a holiday property in Bulgaria is higher than the interest rates of most banks. The prices of the properties at the ski resorts are higher than those at the sea resort complexes and depend on: • Location - The prices in the top three resorts Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets are almost the same, as Bansko is leading with a little bit higher prices. An influential factor is the golf course near Bansko that is currently under construction.• Distance to a ski run - Most expensive are properties in close proximity to a ski run, the so called “first lane” properties. • Stage of Completion - The properties at the ski resorts are more expensive compared to the prices of properties near the sea. One of the factors is the extra heat insulation costs. Usually expensive materials are used. You could buy an apartment off-plan, a completely or semi-furnished home. • Position of the apartment - All around the world properties facing south/east are more expensive, because they are warmer.•Floor - The first floors are the cheapest. Prices grow parallel to the height of the floor.• View - A beautiful mountain view could increase the price.• Services and amenities - All additional conveniences to a housing estate – a swimming pool, a children playground, restaurants, spa centre etc. increase the price of the property.
Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Authentic Bulgaria – spirit, culture and history combined in one
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Stunning nature, ancient history, and rich culture – this is Bulgaria. You have to discover it out of the big Black sea and mountain resorts, in the small settlements, where you will find golden towers of cathedrals and remains of Roman baths. In those places vanguard jazz musicians interpret the best of the folklore traditions and present it with Bulgarian rakia and sparkling wine. Bulgaria is a country of the old and the new. Thrace, ancient Greece, Rhome, Byzantium Empire, Ottoman Empire – all of them had left their own mark. The land of today’s Bulgaria meant for the ancient Greeks four things – a source of valuable gold from the oldest mines in Europe, strong horses from the Thracian fields, the home of Orpheus, who had brought the music, and the roots of Dionysus - god of wine and lover of peace and happiness. All these strange and at first sight conflicting influences impact the Bulgarian kitchen, music and hospitality. These are aspect of the culture, which you cannot feel from a picture or a short description. You have to try it yourselves! They outline the authenticity of our country.Authentic Bulgaria is the name of an independent trademark for quality in tourism, awarded to small hotels, private lodgings and catering outlets, complying with set regulations for authenticity and original tourist product. The VEGA Consortium (Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance), financed by USAID (US Agency for International Development) is in charge of the project which covers development and implementation of an independent trademark for tourist quality and a private system of certification. Kamelia Kaloyaqnova, head of the project, says: ”The quality trademark is a system used in many countries across the world and we use the best of foreign experience. The programme is designed to give an aid to small and medium tourist business and marketing high-quality tourism in Bulgaria. The term “authentic” means everything that is different, has its original character and is unique in being originally Bulgarian. In actual fact the quality trademark is an independent system, complementing the system of government categorization. It is a licensing committee that awards the quality trademark. Another good point is that the tourist objects are given a list of recommendations on doing a prosperous business.” The main purpose is boosting tourist entrepreneurship. Special attention is given to private lodgings and small hotels, offering comfort and typical Bulgarian hospitality. “There are seven areas under review. Further to accommodation facilities they include mostly what cannot be” touched”, but can be felt and appreciated. Here belong hospitality, standard of service, a variety of services and entertainment on offer, food, local trades and crafts, opportunities to communicate with locals. We regard all this as authentic. The sign of “ Authentic Bulgaria” is a Bulgarian rose, inscribed in an ancient Roman coin, symbolizing Bulgarian history and culture down the ages. The quality trademark has three grades- bronze, silver and golden”, specifies Kamelia Todorova. VEGA Consortium published a relevant guidebook, entitled “Authentic Bulgaria”. Entries have a rather special characteristic in at least one of the four areas- hospitality, cuisine, atmosphere and entertainment. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Hunting in Bulgaria
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You are a keen hunter? Come to Bulgaria to add new valuable trophies to your collection. The geographical position of the country combining sea, rivers, mountains and flat fields, has created the best conditions of live for a great variety of wild animals. You could go hunting red deer, stags, hinds, boars, jackals, wolves, foxes, woodcocks, pheasants, partridges, hares, wild geese and many other species. The excellent trophy qualities of the big game, especially the red deer and the boar, as well as the big quantity of stags and hinds in the forests attract the hunting tourists and turn Bulgaria into one of the world’s best destinations where the tourists could experience the ultimate hunting adventure. Experienced hunters will help you get to know the habits of the different wild animals and feel the thrill of the chase. The well-trained hunting dogs will chase the game to the last breath. For greater convenience you could hire an off-road SUV. If you don’t have your personal weapons with you, the organization will hire you one of your choice. Over 110 hunting residences, huts and shelters in some of the most beautiful places of the unique Bulgarian nature are welcoming you to stay for the night or just have lunch. The conditions and comforts that they offer could please even the most exacting of you.You will experience unforgettable moments in the lovely hunting huts. Together with the precious trophy, you will also take home the warm memory of Bulgaria. Long after that you will still remember the traditional hospitality of the local people, the tasteful Bulgarian dishes, the lavish dinner, the interesting traditions when celebrating various national and Christian holidays. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Bulgarian market – lots of possibilities for a wise investment
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Article by BGP Services Properties in Bulgaria went through gigantic growth in their prices during the last several years. This fact can’t be hidden from foreign investors.
Some 10 years ago Bulgaria was a country where investing was a risky process. There were several factors that seized foreign companies to put their funds in our country’s economy branches. Now this period of uncertainty went down in history.
What can be said about the present and the last several years is that the progress of Bulgarian economy and the development of its property market were seen by contractors and wise investors. After the rapid growth of investment property market Bulgaria still has what to offer and lots of possibilities to develop.
The prosperity of every country is based on its economy, tourism, direct investments and employment. After the year of 1996 Bulgaria took the road of economy stability and strong development due to the quick financial reforms, responsible fiscal policy and the Bulgarian Lev bound to the Euro. All of these features formed an excellent basis for investments and growth in the property segment of the market. The low inflation and the gradually building and modernization of infrastructure improved our image in investors’ eyes who decided to invest here, in Bulgaria.
According to statistic data average salaries in Bulgaria have increased considerably in the last 3-5 years. Bulgaria’s joining to the European Union in January 2007 is an important step for the opening of the country for the European market and the coming 4.6 billion euros for the period of 2007 – 2009.
All these facts are good news for the investors especially after the country makes good progress in the number of tourists visited Bulgaria. Researches show that the new EU member has 22 % annual increase in tourist sector. What’s more there are expectations for bigger growth for the next few years.
Daily Telegraph newspaper scores Bulgaria with 8/10 (80%) according to its investment potential. Bulgaria is expected to be one of the most popular tourist destinations for 2007.
Bulgaria’s investor market is expected to develop during the following years. The development of the tourist sector means growth of the quantity of capital put into the country’s economy. Bulgaria has a variety of choices to offer to the fastidious tourists so progress in the inventors’ market is the expected trend of things to follow.
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Bulgaria and the unique tourist product
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This summer again, Bulgaria is a favored tourist destination in Europe. Its unique selling proposition, experts say, is the combination of preserved nature, millennia-old history and an inexhaustible potential for rural, cultural and ecological tourism. Starting from early summer tourists flock to the fine Bulgarian resorts along the Black Sea coast. The inland, however offers tempting virgin spots, perfect for recreation. There are small towns with preserved 19th c. architecture, breathtaking mountainous landscapes dotted with ruins surviving from antiquity and with medieval fortresses, as well as with Roman roads surrounding them. “I had the chance to travel across Bulgaria and I fell in love with your mountains and nature sights, with the small towns displaying unique architecture and with the amicable locals too”, Jacky Cruchon, head of the urban planning of the French town of Bayonne, told Radio Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a country with a very well preserved heritage. Not only with the monuments of culture, the picturesque churches and monasteries, but also the handful of ancient villages and towns which are so irresistible. Definitely we can offer a more specific tourist product with a great potential for unconventional tourism. In Bulgaria there are intriguing stopovers virtually everywhere. Accommodation becomes more variable, providing higher quality of service. Apart from conventional hotels, an increasing number of guest houses have been adapted to match tourism standards. This way, customers are treated with genuine, warm hospitality. |
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A short history of Bulgaria
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Situated on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, the Bulgarian territory has been populated since ancient antiquity. All the people that once inhabited the area – Thracians, Bulgarians and Slavonic have left their fingerprint on the world cultural treasury.
Prehistoric finds in some of the caves prove that humans started living here during the neolith. The current territory of Bulgaria was once the center of the Thracian civilization which used to dominate the Balkan Peninsular.
In the second half of the 7th century a people of Turkish origin – the Proto-bulgarians settled at today’s northeastern Bulgaria. Uniting the Slavonic, both people form a country called Bulgaria, recognized by Byzantine in 681. The leader of the Proto-bulgarians – Khan Asparoukh became the head of the state. The town of Pliska is announced for the first Bulgarian capital.
In 885 the two Bulgarian brothers Cyril and Methody invented the Slavonic literacy which became official by the time that Christianity was accepted for that official religion. The Slavonic literacy then spread in Russia and Serbia.
During the reign of Tsar Simeon (893-927) is the “Golden Age for the Bulgarian Literacy”, and the territory of the country is so big that it borders the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea.
In 1018 Bulgaria was conquered by Byzantine. The Bulgarians started fighting back and in 1186 a rebel led by the boyar brothers Asen and Peter made the Byzantine conquerors leave the Bulgarian territories. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed and the town of Tarnovo became the capital. During the reign of their little brother Kaloyan (1197-1207), Bulgaria restored its lost glory. During the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241) the Second Bulgarian Kingdom is in the flower of its strength, instituting its political predominance in southeastern Europe. The country is again bordering three seas – the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The economy and the culture are flourishing. After years of cultural stagnancy the country is flourished till the end of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1186-1396). Many literature and architectural works with huge international significance were created during the cultural upsurge in 13th and 14th century.
The misunderstandings among the boyars split the country into two kingdoms – The Kingdom of Vidin and The Kingdom of Tarnovo. The country gets weaker and fell prey to the Osman Empire in 1396. Conquered by the Turkish, Bulgaria does not exist on the map for five centuries. In 1762 Paisii Hilendarski wrote the book “History of Bulgarians and Slavonic” which marks the beginning of the National Revival Period and stimulates the national liberation movement. Its culmination - The April Rebel in 1876 leads to the liberation of Bulgaria after the Russian – Turkish war in 1877 – 1878.
As a result of the Russian – Turkish war for liberation, Bulgaria becomes a free country but a national union is not achieved. The former Bulgarian territories are split into three parts – The Principality of Bulgaria, East Rumelia, Thracia and Macedonia. Except for The Principality of Bulgaria the rest of the Bulgarian territories are ruled by the Osman Empire.
In 1885 The Principality of Bulgaria and East Rumelia merged to unite. In 1908 Bulgaria was again officially pronounced as an independent country.
After the Second World War in 1944 the Soviet Army occupied Bulgaria and the Communist Party held power. In 1946 the monarchy was replaced by the republican form of government. Later on the industry, the trade and all banks were nationalized and all the private land was taken by the government.
The democratic changes in Bulgaria started on the 10th of November 1989.As in most of the East European countries the political, economical and social relations changed completely.
Today Bulgaria is a member of NATO and in 2007 has become a part of the European Community. |
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