Basics About Bulgaria

posted 3rd January 2019

Country of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a welcoming Balkan country with beautiful nature and climate. Millions of tourists annually come to relax on the Black Sea coast and go skiing in the mountains. This country attracts people of different income levels and all ages to spend their holidays. Young people prefer coast nightlife and skiing, mid age and elder folks love spa resorts with natural spring water and most amazing nature with walk and bike paths. East side of Bulgaria stretches 354 kilometers along the sea coast and mountains cover almost half of the country.

Geography of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a small country of 111 thousand km2, located on the south of Europe on the Balkan Peninsula with its capital Sofia. The country has a common border with 5 countries: on the south – Greece and Turkey, on the north – Romania, on the west – Republic of Macedonia and Yugoslavia, on the east it’s bathed by the Black sea.

Climate of Bulgaria

The climate is moderate continental with a large number of sunny days. Summer is dry and hot, winter is mild and moderate. The average annual temperature is +11 C (52 F), April through September could be up to + 30 C (86 F). The water temperature in the Black Sea from May to October is + 25 C (77 F). The presence of mountains and the sea create a special micro-climate in the country.

Bulgarian Kitchen

Bulgarian cuisine is always nourishing, generous, and varied. It is considered Mediterranean food and in many ways, the dishes are similar to Turkish and Greek. The business card of the Bulgarian cuisine is the vegetable “shopski salad”, cold soup “tarator”, moussaka and sarmi (stuffed grape leaves). Bulgaria is famous for its pyrzholami (a piece of grilled meat) and kebapchetam (grilled oblong mincemeat patties). Of course, they also love seafood in this country. The freshest mussels, safrid fish, lavrak, and chernokop are often offered in food establishments overlooking the sea. We must note that portions at the restaurants are huge. This shows the friendliness and hospitality of the local foks. The famous Bulgarian yogurt, Kiselo mlyako with a Bulgarian wand is famous all over the world. And of course, the most amazing fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers that are naturally organic.

Bulgaria is famous for its white and red wines with 225 vineyards. And, its Rakia – vodka from grapes. Rakia is as rooted in Bulgarian history and existence as is bourbon in American. It has aided the nation in surviving its hardest years and has helped bring many bright ideas to live. In case you haven’t tried it yet, rakia is hard liquor from the brandy family. It is made from fermented grapes, plums, or virtually any fruit with sugars in it. Its alcohol content varies from 40% for the commercially sold liquor to 70-80% of pure firewater for the home-produced rakia. Some of the most popular brands of rakia are Peshterska, Slivenksa Perla, Sungurlarska, Burgas 63, Kehlibar, Karnobat. Drink it ice cold, preferably straight up (no rocks), and have a Shopska salad, lukanka or at least a few pickles standing by.