Bulgaria facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Republic of Bulgaria Република България Republika Bŭlgariya
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Съединението прави силата Sŭedinenieto pravi silata ("Unity makes strength")
Anthem: Мила Родино "Mila Rodino" ("Dear Motherland")
Location of Bulgaria (dark green) – on the European continent (green & dark grey) – in the European Union (green) — [Legend]
Capital and largest city	Sofia 42°41′51″N 23°19′21″E / 42.69750°N 23.32250°E / 42.69750; 23.32250 (Largo)
Official languages	Bulgarian
Official script	Cyrillic
Ethnic groups (2021 census)	84.6% Bulgarians 8.4% Turks 4.4% Roma 2.6% other
Religion (2021 census)	64.7% Christianity 62.7% Bulgarian Orthodoxy 2.0% other Christian 15.9% no religion 9.8% Islam 0.1% other 9.5% unanswered
Demonym(s)	Bulgarian
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic

• President	Rumen Radev
• Vice President	Iliana Iotova
• Prime Minister	Dimitar Glavchev

Legislature	National Assembly
Establishment history

• 1st Bulgarian Empire	681–1018
• 2nd Bulgarian Empire	1185–1396
• Principality of Bulgaria	3 March 1878
• Independence from the Ottoman Empire	5 October 1908
• Monarchy abolished	15 September 1946

Area
• Total	110,993.6 km² (42,854.9 sq mi) (103rd)
• Water (%)	2.16
Population
• 2023 estimate	6,385,500 (109th)
• Density	63/km² (163.2/sq mi) (154th)
GDP (PPP)	2023 estimate
• Total	$216.499 billion (73rd)
• Per capita	$33,780 (55th)
GDP (nominal)	2023 estimate
• Total	$103.099 billion (69th)
• Per capita	$16,086 (60th)
Gini (2023)	▼ 37.2 medium
HDI (2022)	0.799 high · 70th
Currency	Lev (BGN)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Calling code	+359
ISO 3166 code	BG
Internet TLD	.bg .бг

Bulgaria, officially called the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in southeastern Europe. It is known for its long history and beautiful nature.

The capital and largest city is Sofia. The country's money is called the lev. Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO. About 6.4 million people live in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has its own language, Bulgarian. It is a Slavic language, similar to Serbian and Russian. Bulgaria became independent in 1908 from the Ottoman Empire. It shares borders with Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, and the Black Sea.

A national hero of Bulgaria is Vasil Levski. He led the fight for independence in the late 1800s. Bulgaria is a very old country. Some places have been lived in for over 6,000 years!

Bulgaria's Long History

Many different people and cultures have lived in the area that is now Bulgaria. This includes ancient groups from the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The Thracians were a major group living there. King Tere united some of these people around 500 BC.

Later, Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire influenced the region. In the 6th century, groups like the Slavs settled across Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Empires

The First Bulgarian Empire started in 681 AD. It was a powerful state. However, it eventually fell to the Byzantine Empire.

The Second Bulgarian Empire began around 1185 AD. Its capital was Veliko Tarnovo. This empire lasted about 70 years. There was a lot of fighting with neighbors and within the country.

After this, the Ottoman Empire took over in 1396. They ruled Bulgaria for about 500 years. Life was hard for Bulgarians under Ottoman rule. They tried to rebel many times but did not succeed.

Becoming Independent

After the first Balkan war in 1876, Bulgaria began to break away from the Ottomans. The Russian Empire helped them. But it wasn't until 1908 that all of Bulgaria was united as a modern country.

Bulgaria joined Germany's side in World War I and lost.

Bulgaria in World War II

At the start of World War II, Bulgaria tried to stay neutral. They didn't want to join Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union. But in 1941, they had to sign an agreement with Germany. This allowed German troops to pass through Bulgaria to reach Greece.

However, Bulgaria did not fully follow Hitler's orders. Their soldiers refused to join military attacks. They also refused to send Jews to concentration camps during the Holocaust. This made Hitler suspicious. The king of Bulgaria, Tsar Boris III, died shortly after meeting Hitler.

After World War II

In 1944, it was clear that the Allied Powers would win the war. Bulgaria tried to become neutral again. But the Soviet Union did not respect this. They brought Communism to Bulgaria in 1947.

For 40 years, Bulgaria was very close to the Soviet Union. Its leader, Todor Zhivkov, followed Soviet instructions.

Modern Bulgaria

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Communist party gave up power. Bulgaria could then choose its own leaders. But the country faced serious money problems at first.

Since then, Bulgaria has improved a lot. It is much more stable now. However, it is still one of the poorer countries in Europe. Problems like weak courts and organized crime are big challenges.

Bulgaria's Geography and Nature

Topography of Bulgaria

Rila, the highest mountain range in the Balkans and Southeast Europe

Bulgaria is a medium-sized country in Southeastern Europe. It is located in the eastern part of the Balkans. Its total area is about 110,994 square kilometers. Bulgaria has land borders with five other countries. Its coastline along the Black Sea is 354 kilometers long.

The country has several important land features. These include the Danubian Plain, the Balkan Mountains, and the Thracian Plain. The Danube River forms the border with Romania. The Balkan mountains run across the middle of the country from west to east.

In the mountainous southwest, you'll find the Rila and Pirin ranges. These are very high mountains. Musala, in the Rila mountains, is the highest point in Bulgaria and the Balkans. It is 2,925 meters tall. The Black Sea coast is the lowest point. About one-third of Bulgaria is plains. Most rivers are short and do not have much water. The longest river entirely in Bulgaria is the Iskar.

Bulgaria's Climate

Köppen climate types of Bulgaria

Bulgaria has a climate that changes a lot. This is because it is where Mediterranean, Oceanic, and Continental air masses meet. Mountains also block some of the weather. Northern Bulgaria is usually cooler and gets more rain than the areas south of the Balkan mountains.

Temperatures can vary greatly. The lowest recorded temperature was -38.3°C. The highest was 45.2°C. On average, Bulgaria gets about 630 mm of rain each year. This can range from 500 mm in Dobrudja to over 2,500 mm in the mountains. Continental air brings a lot of snow in winter.

Bulgaria has a complex climate for its size. Most of the country is in the continental climate zone. This means cold winters with snow and hot, dry summers. The southern parts have a Mediterranean climate.

Nature and Wildlife in Bulgaria

Belogradchik Rocks are among Bulgaria's numerous protected areas

Bulgaria has a wide variety of plants and animals. Its biodiversity is one of the richest in Europe. This nature is protected in three national parks, 11 nature parks, and many other protected areas.

You can find 93 out of 233 mammal species from Europe in Bulgaria. Also, 49% of butterfly species and 30% of plant species are here. In total, there are over 41,000 plant and animal species. Large mammals like deer, wild boar, and red fox are common. Partridges are the most common gamebird.

Rila National Park is home to one-third of all nesting birds in Bulgaria. It also has Arctic and alpine species in its high mountains. Bulgaria has over 3,800 plant species. About 170 of these are found only in Bulgaria. More than 35% of the country is covered by forests.

Bulgaria works to protect its nature. It has large Natura 2000 areas, covering over 33% of its land. These areas help protect important habitats and species. The country has also reduced its carbon dioxide emissions.

However, Bulgaria still faces some environmental challenges. Air quality is a concern, especially in cities. This is due to car traffic and power stations that burn coal. Pollution from farming and old industrial systems also affects soil and water. But water quality has been improving since 1998. Most rivers now meet European standards for good quality.

How Bulgaria is Governed

Independence Square in Sofia: The headquarters of the Presidency (right), the National Assembly (centre) and the Council of Ministers (left).

Bulgaria is a parliamentary democracy. This means that the prime minister is the head of the government. This is the most powerful position. People aged 18 and older can vote in elections.

The government has three main parts:

The legislative branch makes laws.
The executive branch carries out the laws.
The judicial branch interprets the laws.

Bulgarians can also vote directly on some issues through referendums. Elections are watched by a special group called the Central Election Commission. This group makes sure elections are fair.

Leaders of Bulgaria

The president is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is elected directly by the people. The president can send a bill back to parliament for another vote. But parliament can still pass it with a simple majority.

The National Assembly is Bulgaria's parliament. It has 240 members who are elected for four-year terms. The National Assembly makes laws and approves the country's budget. It also chooses the prime minister and other ministers.

Bulgaria's Regions and Cities

Bulgaria is a unitary state. This means the central government has most of the power. The country is divided into 27 provinces. There is also a special province for the capital city, Sofia. Each province is named after its main city.

These provinces are then divided into 265 municipalities. Each municipality has a mayor who is elected for four years. They also have directly elected municipal councils. The central government appoints regional governors. Provinces and municipalities depend a lot on the central government for money.

Bulgaria's Economy and Jobs

Economic growth (green) and unemployment (blue) statistics since 2001

Bulgaria has about 3.36 million people in its workforce. Most people work in services (66.6%). About 26.6% work in industry. Only 6.8% work in agriculture.

Major industries include:

Mining of metals and minerals.
Making chemicals.
Building machines.
Producing steel.
Biotechnology.
Tobacco and food processing.
Petroleum refining.

Mining is important, employing 24,000 people. It makes up about 5% of the country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Bulgaria is Europe's fifth-largest producer of coal. They also have deposits of iron, copper, and lead.

Bulgaria exports many goods. These include manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, and food. Their main export partners outside the EU are Turkey, China, and Serbia.

Farming and Tourism

Although farming output dropped for a while, grain production has increased recently. Maize, barley, oats, and rice are grown. Oriental tobacco is also an important crop.

Bulgaria is the world's largest producer of lavender and rose oil. These are used a lot in perfumes.

Tourism is a big part of Bulgaria's economy. Many people visit cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Veliko Tarnovo. Coastal resorts like Albena and Sunny Beach are popular. Winter resorts include Bansko and Pamporovo. Most tourists come from Romania, Turkey, Greece, and Germany.

People and Population in Bulgaria

Ethnic groups in Bulgaria (2021 census) Bulgarians (84.57%) Bulgarian Turks (8.40%) Romani (4.41%) Other (1.31%) Undeclared (1.31%)

In 2022, Bulgaria had about 6.4 million people. Most people (72.5%) live in cities. Sofia is the biggest city with over 1.2 million people. Other large cities include Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas.

Most people in Bulgaria are Bulgarians, making up 84.6% of the population. There are also significant Turkish and Roma minorities.

Population Changes

Bulgaria's population has been shrinking since 1989. This is because many young adults have moved to other countries for work. This is called emigration.

The birth rate is also very low. Bulgaria has one of the oldest populations in the world. The average age is 43 years. Many households have only one person. Also, most families do not have children under 16.

Gender Equality

Bulgaria scores high in gender equality. It ranks 18th in the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report. Women have equal political rights. They also have high participation in the workforce. They are legally paid equally for equal work.

Bulgaria has the highest number of female IT researchers in the EU. It also has the second-highest number of women in the technology sector. This strong role for women is a lasting effect from the Socialist era.

Largest cities

Largest cities or towns in Bulgaria 2021 Census
Rank	Name	Pop.
1	Sofia	1,190,256
2	Plovdiv	321,824
3	Varna	311,093
4	Burgas	188,242
5	Ruse	123,134
6	Stara Zagora	121,582
7	Pleven	90,209
8	Sliven	79,362
9	Dobrich	71,947
10	Shumen	67,300

Education in Bulgaria

The Rectorate of Sofia University

Public spending on education in Bulgaria is lower than the European Union average. While educational standards were once very high, they have changed since the early 2000s.

In 2001, Bulgarian students scored very well in reading. But by 2006, scores in reading, math, and science had dropped. By 2018, studies showed that many 9th-grade students struggled with reading and science. However, basic literacy (the ability to read and write) is high, at 98.4%.

The Ministry of Education and Science helps fund public schools and universities. It also sets rules for textbooks. Education in primary and secondary public schools is free and required. Students go through 12 grades. Higher education includes a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 1-year master's degree. Sofia University is Bulgaria's top university.

Bulgarian Language

Bulgarian is the only official language in the country. It is part of the Slavic language group. However, it has some unique grammar rules. For example, it doesn't use noun cases like some other Slavic languages. It also uses a special ending on words to show if something is definite (like "the book").

Religion in Bulgaria

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

Bulgaria is a secular state. This means the government does not favor any religion. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

According to a 2021 census:

71.5% of the population is Christian. Most of these are Bulgarian Orthodox.
10.8% follow Islam.
A small number follow other religions.
About 12.4% said they had no religion or did not answer.

Bulgarian Culture and Traditions

The Roman theatre of Plovdiv, European Capital of Culture in 2019

Rila Monastery, an important spiritual centre for the Bulgarians

Kuker in Lesichovo

Bulgarian culture mixes old folk traditions with more formal culture. Fire is a very important part of Bulgarian folklore. It is used to scare away bad spirits and illnesses. Some old rituals are still practiced today. These include kukeri and survakari. Martenitsa is also a widely celebrated tradition. Nestinarstvo, a fire-dance, is even on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Nine places in Bulgaria are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include:

Pirin National Park
Sreburna Nature Reserve
The Madara Rider
Ancient Thracian tombs
The Rila Monastery
The Boyana Church
The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo
The ancient city of Nesebar

The Rila Monastery was founded by Saint John of Rila. He is Bulgaria's patron saint.

Literature and Arts

Bulgarian literature had a "golden period" in the Middle Ages. This was when the Preslav and Ohrid literary schools were founded. They focused on Christian writings. This helped spread Christianity and a written language (Old Church Slavonic) to other Slavic people. The Cyrillic alphabet was developed here.

Many artworks and writings were destroyed during Ottoman rule. Art began to appear again in the 19th century. Ivan Vazov (1850–1921) is a very important writer. He wrote about all parts of Bulgarian society.

In visual arts, Zahari Zograf was a pioneer before independence. Later artists like Ivan Mrkvička and Vladimir Dimitrov showed scenes from Bulgarian villages and history. Christo is a famous Bulgarian artist of the 21st century. He is known for his large outdoor art installations.

Music and Media

Folk music is a very rich part of Bulgarian culture. It has developed over ages, mixing different sounds. Bulgarian folk music has a special sound. It uses traditional instruments like the gadulka and gaida. A unique feature is its "extended rhythmical time," which is different from other European music. The Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir even won a Grammy Award for their folk music.

Modern classical music in Bulgaria began in the late 1800s. Famous singers like Ghena Dimitrova and Boris Christoff brought Bulgarian opera to a world-class level. Bulgarian performers have also gained fame in jazz and electropop.

Some of the largest national media outlets are Bulgarian National Radio and bTV. Newspapers like Trud are also popular. However, press freedom in Bulgaria has faced challenges in recent years.

Bulgarian Food

Bulgarian cuisine is similar to food in other Balkan countries. It has strong Turkish and Greek influences. Some well-known local foods include:

Yogurt
Lukanka (a type of sausage)
Banitsa (a pastry)
Shopska salad
Lyutenitsa (a relish)
Kozunak (sweet bread)

Bulgaria was once the world's second-largest wine exporter. They grow special grapes like Mavrud and Rubin. Rakia is a traditional fruit brandy that has been enjoyed in Bulgaria since the 14th century.

Sports in Bulgaria

Grigor Dimitrov at the 2015 Italian Open

Bulgaria first took part in the modern Olympic games in 1896. Since then, Bulgarian athletes have won many medals. They rank 25th in the all-time Olympic medal table.

Weight-lifting is a very strong sport for Bulgaria. Coach Ivan Abadzhiev created new training methods. These helped many Bulgarians become world and Olympic champions in weight-lifting. Bulgarian athletes have also done very well in wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, volleyball, and tennis.

Stefka Kostadinova holds the world record in the women's high jump. She jumped 2.09 meters in 1987. Grigor Dimitrov is the first Bulgarian tennis player to reach the Top 3 in ATP rankings.

Football in Bulgaria

Football is the most popular sport in Bulgaria. The national football team reached the semi-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup. This was their best performance ever. Hristo Stoichkov was a star player on that team. He won the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball awards. He was considered one of the best players in the world when he played for FC Barcelona.

The most successful football clubs in Bulgaria are CSKA and Levski. Both are from Sofia and are long-time rivals. Ludogorets is also famous. They went from the local fourth division to the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League group stage in just nine years!