1. Bulgaria Bulgaria

2. Basic information  Capital: Sofia (population approx 1.5 million)  Area: 110,994 sq km  Population: 8,240,426  Currency: Lev  Form of government: republic; the National Assembly is the legislature and consists of 240 members elected to serve four-year terms; the President is the head of the state and is elected for the period of five years  Official language: Bulgarian  Religion: Christian Orthodox (85%), Muslim (13%), Catholic (1%), Other (1%)  National holiday: Independence Day 3 March (1878 from the Ottoman Empire)

3. Geographical position  Bulgaria is located in the southeastern part of Europe, the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Bulgaria borders five other countries: Romania to the north (mostly along the Danube), Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, and Greece and Turkey to the south. On the east side is the Black sea.

4. National symbols  Bulgarian National Flag  White  White - peace and honesty  Red  Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour  Green  Green - hope, joy and love

5.  Coat of Arms  Adopted in 1997, it represents the three major parts of Bulgaria - Moesia, Thrace and Macedonia.

6.  National Anthem  Stately Stara Planina, next to it the Danube blue, shining upon Trakiya, the sun burns over Pirin. Chorus: Dear motherland, you are paradise on earth, your beauty and your charm, ah, they have no bounds. Countless fighters gave thier lives for our beloved people. Mother, give us manly strength to carry on their course.

7. Nature  Bulgaria simply resembles a continent in miniature because of its very varied relief and miraculous working of nature where measure is paramount. The country with a 1300 years old history lies in the North- eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula and during the centuries has been an important crossroads between Europe and Asia.  Called the sleeping beauty of the Balkans by New York Times magazine, Bulgaria has four beautiful and mild seasons and a gorgeous nature.

8.  Eye-catching and breath-taking mountain lakes… Lakes in Rila mountain

9.  …, sunny beaches… Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

10.  …,gorgeous rose valleys… Kazanluk, Bulgaria

11.  …and deep chilly caves. Krivnya cave, v. Krivnya, Buglaria Prohodna cave, Karlukovo, Bulgaria

12. Traditional Dishes  Kebapcheta and kufteta Made of minced meat with spices.  Meshana salata Ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, cheese, olives, mushrooms.

13.  Gyuvech Ingredients: pork, onion, fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, rice, wine, spices and peppers.  Kavarma Ingredients: beef, mushrooms, yellow cheese, eggs, onion, tomatoes, different spices, green and red peppers.

14. ДОБРЕ ДОШЛИ В БЪЛГАРИЯ ! Mirela Byalova