General Information on Bulgaria
Location: Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe and occupies the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north it borders on Romania, to the west on the Republic of Macedonia and Serbia, to the east on the Black Sea, to the south on Greece and to the southeast on Turkey's European part (click for detailed map)
Area: 111.000 sq km.
Terrain: Extremely varied: large plains and lowlands, low and high mountains, valleys and lovely gorges. Mountains take almost a quarter of the country's territory.The largest mountain chain on the Balkan Peninsula - The Balkan Range divides Bulgaria in two. In the southwest of the country is the Rila Mountain with the highest peak on the Balkans - Moussala (2951 m).
Climate: Temperate continental with four distinct seasons. A Mediterranean influence is felt in the country's southern regions. The average annual temperature is 10.5°C. The average January temperature is around 0°C. Summer temperatures sometimes may exceed 30°C.
Population: 7,891, 095
Language: Bulgarian. English, German, French and Russian is spoken in the country's big cities, resorts, hotels and restaurants.
Alphabet: Cyrillic. Signs along international motorways, in airports and resorts are also spelled in Latin letters.
Religion: 86.6% of the population is Eastern Orthodox, 13% are Muslims. The Bulgarian Church is autonomous and headed by a Patriarch.
Capital: Sofia (pop. 1,124,305)
Large Cities: Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Turnovo
Time
Winter time: GMT +2 hours (October through March).
Summer time: GMT +3 hours (April through October)
State government: Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic.
Official holidays
Jan 1 - 2003 New Year’s Day.
Mar 3 - National Day (Day of Liberation)
Apr 25 - Good Friday
Apr 28 - Easter Monday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 6 - St. George’s Day (Day of Bulgarian Army)
May 24 - St Cyril and Methodius Day (Day of Culture and Literacy).
Sep 6 - The Unification of Bulgaria
Sep 22 - Independence Day
Nov 1 - Day of the Spiritual Leaders of Bulgaria.
Dec 24 - 26 - Christmas
Voltage: 220 V, 50 Hz only
Monetary Unit:
The Bulgarian monetary unit is Lev (BGL or BGN). 1 Lev = 100 stotinki. Banknote denominations include 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 leva, as well as coins of smaller denominations. Click for detailed information on notes in circulation (Opens in new window. Can take a while to load)
Currency Exchange:
At local banks and currency exchange offices. Business hours of banks: 9 a.m. - 3 a.m., Monday to Friday. Currency exchange offices are open to 6 p.m., some working 24 hours a day. You can exchange money at the airport upon arrival or departure as well as at allmost all hotels' exchange offices
Following the introduction of currency board in Bulgaria in 1997 the official exchange rate of the Lev is fixed at 1.95583 Levs = 1 EURO. As a result, the exchange rate to the US Dollar and other currencies is matching the fluctuations of the EURO exchange rate.
A few warning words: Do NOT exchange money on the street. No matter how promising offers for a much better rate you may receive, chances are that you will end up loosing money.
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, American Express, Access can be used for payment of all standard services in hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, shops, car rentals, plane tickets, etc.
Business Hours
Offices - 9.00 a.m. to 5.00, 5.30 or 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Banks - 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Shops - 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm. (Monday to Friday, Saturday until noon)
Telecommunications:
International dialing code for Bulgaria - 359, for Sofia - 359 2. Direct telephone communication from Bulgaria to countries in Europe, Asia and Africa is possible from Betcom or Bulgarian Telecommunication Company phone booths with phone cards. Phone calls, telegram and telefax services in the country and abroad are offered by the Sofia Central Post Office and by Post Office in the capital and the country.
Important Telephone Numbers
Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Road assistance - 146
Transport
Public transport
- In big cities: trams, trolley buses and buses
- Elsewhere: buses
- Inter-city transport: plane, train, and coach
Taxi
Rent-a-car: AVIS, Hertz, Intertel, Euro car, Budget and
International Car Rental in Sofia, the country's big cities and resorts
Medical Service: Free first aid and consultation in emergencies
Passports and Visas: You will need a valid passport with an entry or transit visa, which is issued by the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad. No entry visas are required for citizens of the countries with which Bulgaria has a visa-free regime. No entry visas are required for citizens of the EU and EFTA member states.