1. B ulgaria … a piece of Paradise

2. G ENERAL I NFORMATION … Formal name: Formal name: Location: Location: Borders: Borders: Area: Area: Population: Population: Capital: Capital: Republic of Bulgaria Balkan Peninsula, Eastern Europe North – Romania South – Greece and Turkey West – Serbia and Macedonia East – The Black Sea 110 993 sq. km (15th in Europe) 7 351 234 (February 2011) Sofia

3. Political system: Political system: Supreme law: Supreme law: Legislative branch: Legislative branch: National symbols: National symbols: National motto: National motto: Flag description: Flag description: President: President: Member of: Member of: Parliamentary Republic The Constitution, adopted on 13 July 1991 unicameral National Assembly; 240 seats the Flag, the Anthem, the National Emblem and the Guards The Unity Makes the Strength The white represents peace; green – the fertility of the Bulgarian lands, and red – the courage of the people Mr. Rosen Plevneliev United Nations – 14 December 1955 UNESCO – 17 May 1956 UNICEF – 1968 NATO – 29 March 2004 European Union – 1 January 2007

4. Religion: Religion: Official language: Official language: Ethnical structure: Ethnical structure: National currency: National currency: Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox Bulgarian Bulgarian Bulgarians – 83,9%, Turks – 9,4%, Bulgarians – 83,9%, Turks – 9,4%, Gypsies – 4,7%, others – 2% Lev (BGL) = 100 stotinki Lev (BGL) = 100 stotinki

6. In 681 the Bulgarian Khan Asparuh founded a kingdom in the south-eastern Balkans that became known as Bulgaria; first capital – Pliska. H istory:

7. N ature...

9. Flora:Flora: Rich, wide varied and unique almost unspoiled nature; a total of 12 360 species: more than 250 species plants, which are to be found nowhere else in the world: Rila Primrose, Balkan Violet, Bulgarian Blackberry, Rodope Tulip, Еdelweiss etc; forests abound with various wild fruit and great diversity of herbs. Rich, wide varied and unique almost unspoiled nature; a total of 12 360 species: more than 250 species plants, which are to be found nowhere else in the world: Rila Primrose, Balkan Violet, Bulgarian Blackberry, Rodope Tulip, Еdelweiss etc; forests abound with various wild fruit and great diversity of herbs.

10. Bulgaria’s fauna numbers more than 13,000 species: bears, foxes, red deers, wolves, rabbits etc. Rare mammal species are also to be found in the country: Greater Spotted Eagle, Alpine Newt, Dalmatian Pelican, Eastern Imperial Eagle etc. Fauna:

11. Tourism...

12. Small country blessed with magnificent nature offering thousands of opportunities for studying of the wild flora and fauna Small country blessed with magnificent nature offering thousands of opportunities for studying of the wild flora and fauna Ancient culture Ancient culture Picturesque villages frozen in time, where life marches in the rhythm of the old centuries Picturesque villages frozen in time, where life marches in the rhythm of the old centuries Colorful traditions, preserved in many parts of the country Colorful traditions, preserved in many parts of the country Unique traditional crafts and arts Unique traditional crafts and arts – There are more and more opportunities offered by an exciting tour to our small but rich in history and culture country – village, spa, ecological, mountain, sea, adventure, religious, wine, cave and cultural tourism are some of the possibilities…

13. Sofia

14. G eneral information Location: West Bulgaria Population: 1 259 446 (2010) Area: 1,311 sq. km. Motto: “Grows but does not age”

15. History In VII BC around thermal springs on the place of a Neolitic settlement appears an ancient Thracian town.Later the Romans conquer it and call it Serdica. In VII BC around thermal springs on the place of a Neolitic settlement appears an ancient Thracian town.Later the Romans conquer it and call it Serdica.

16. L andmarks O f S ofia Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Ivan Vazov National Theatre

17. SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library St. Clement Ohridsky University of Sofia“ The bulgarian parliament The bulgarian parliament

18. Welcome to Bulgaria By N ikoleta & B oryana By N ikoleta & B oryana