Geography of Bulgaria

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Geography of Bulgaria Geographical location of Bulgaria The country is situated in south-eastern Europe, in the south-eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, it's bordering Romania, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea . The land area of Bulgaria is 110,550 square kilometers. Since 1999, Bulgaria is divided into 28 regions A few big cities of Bulgaria : Sofia Płowdiw Warna Burgas Ruse Stara Zagora SOFIA Bulgaria has a great variety of topographical features. Even within small parts of the country, the land may be divided into plains, plateaus, hills, mountains, basins, gorges, and deep river valleys. The country is a result of continuous geological evolution. Generally to that evolution there are magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of different origin, age and composition. Their formation began more than 500 million years ago during the Precambrian and continues till now. The Bulgarian lands were often submerged by ancient seas and lakes. Volcanic eruptions were common both on land and in the water basins. Rocks Mountains Botev Peak it's the highest point in the Balkan Mountains, has to about 2,376 m. High mountains are in the area between the Thracian Plain and Sofia Basin and the Greek border. The western parts consist of three ranges: the Vitosha Mountain which is south of Sofia, the Rila Mountains further on south, and the Pirin Mountains in the southwestern corner of the country. Botev Peak The highest top in Bulgaria, Musala 2,925 m A large part of Bulgaria is threatened by earthquakes. The largest earthquake was between 1900 and 1986. One village was completely destroyed. In Bulgaria is about 540 rivers. Bulgaria has a small water resources Their total area is 95sq.m. , Lake Burgas It is also called Lake Vaya. This is the biggest natural lake in Bulgaria, it has over 2,899.9 hectares. • The climate of Bulgaria is temperate warm, continental dry. The average air temperature in January is -6 ° C (in mountainous areas) to 6 ° C (southern coast), in July, it's from 13 ° C to 33 ° C. • The soils are very fertile in Bulgaria. 30% of the country is black earth. • Forests cover about 35% of the country Thank you for your attention .

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Federal Research Division Country Profile: Bulgaria, October 2006
Library of Congress – Federal Research Division Country Profile: Bulgaria, October 2006 COUNTRY PROFILE: BULGARIA October 2006 COUNTRY Formal Name: Republic of Bulgaria (Republika Bŭlgariya). Short Form: Bulgaria. Term for Citizens(s): Bulgarian(s). Capital: Sofia. Click to Enlarge Image Other Major Cities (in order of population): Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Stara Zagora, Pleven, and Sliven. Independence: Bulgaria recognizes its independence day as September 22, 1908, when the Kingdom of Bulgaria declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Public Holidays: Bulgaria celebrates the following national holidays: New Year’s (January 1); National Day (March 3); Orthodox Easter (variable date in April or early May); Labor Day (May 1); St. George’s Day or Army Day (May 6); Education Day (May 24); Unification Day (September 6); Independence Day (September 22); Leaders of the Bulgarian Revival Day (November 1); and Christmas (December 24–26). Flag: The flag of Bulgaria has three equal horizontal stripes of white (top), green, and red. Click to Enlarge Image HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Early Settlement and Empire: According to archaeologists, present-day Bulgaria first attracted human settlement as early as the Neolithic Age, about 5000 B.C. The first known civilization in the region was that of the Thracians, whose culture reached a peak in the sixth century B.C. Because of disunity, in the ensuing centuries Thracian territory was occupied successively by the Greeks, Persians, Macedonians, and Romans. A Thracian kingdom still existed under the Roman Empire until the first century A.D., when Thrace was incorporated into the empire, and Serditsa was established as a trading center on the site of the modern Bulgarian capital, Sofia.
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The Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria) in the Last Ten Years
STUDIA GEOMORPHOLOGICA CARPATHO-BALCANICA VOL. XLV, 2011: 47–68 PL ISSN 0081-6434 EMIL GACHEV (BLAGOEVGRAD) INTER-ANNUAL SIZE VARIATIONS OF SNEZHNIKA GLACIERET (THE PIRIN MOUNTAINS, BULGARIA) IN THE LAST TEN YEARS Abstract: Glacierets, which are in fact embryonic forms of recent glaciation, can serve as important indicators of contemporary climate dynamics in areas where classical glaciers do not exist, such as the high mountains in Southeastern Europe. Two glacierets are located in Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains: Snezhnika and Banski Suhodol. Snezhnika has been relatively well studied for the last 50 years, and in particular since 1994, when annual size measurements on a regular basis started. The present study focuses on the recent variations in the size of Snezhnika i.e. in the last ten years. Data about the area of the glacieret at the end of the ablation season (in autumn), which was obtained for each year by field measurements and analytical calculations, show that temperature can be considered as a major factor that drives glacieret fluctuations. At the current stage precipitation factor can not be evaluated properly due to the deficit of accurate climate information. Key words: the Pirin Mountains, glacierets, size variation, climate change, climatic factors INTRODUCTION Although small in size and volume, in many mountain areas glacierets are natu- ral features of sufficient value for studies of the dynamics of environmental proc- esses, climatic variations and change. Glacierets are small bodies of perennial ice, which are smaller than glaciers but bigger and more persistent than snow patches. Glacierets are typified by a density of close-to-bottom ice of about 0.6 to 0.8 g cm–3, presence of annual layers in the vertical cross-section, and long- term persistence — decades to centuries (G r u n e w a l d et al.
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About Bulgaria
Source: Zone Bulgaria (http://en.zonebulgaria.com/) About Bulgaria General Information about Bulgaria Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe and is situated on the Balkan Peninsula. To the north the country borders Rumania, to the east – the Black Sea, to the south – Turkey and Greece, and to the west – Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a National Assembly (One House Parliament) of 240 national representatives. The President is Head of State. Geography of Bulgaria The Republic of Bulgaria covers a territory of 110 993 square kilometres. The average altitude of the country is 470 metres above sea level. The Stara Planina Mountain occupies central position and serves as a natural dividing line from the west to the east. It is a 750 km long mountain range stretching from the Vrushka Chuka Pass to Cape Emine and is part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain range. It reaches the Black Sea to the east and turns to the north along the Bulgarian-Yugoslavian border. A natural boundary with Romania is the Danube River, which is navigable all along for cargo and passenger vessels. The Black Sea is the natural eastern border of Bulgaria and its coastline is 378 km long. There are clearly cut bays, the biggest two being those of Varna and Bourgas. About 25% of the coastline are covered with sand and hosts our seaside resorts. The southern part of Bulgaria is mainly mountainous. The highest mountain is Rila with Mt. Moussala being the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula (2925 m). The second highest and the mountain of most alpine character in Bulgaria is Pirin with its highest Mt.
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Bulgarian Pirin National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bulgarian Pirin National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site Pirin National park is an UNESCO world heritage site because the exceptional beauty of the mountain scenery, glacial geomorphology, continuing evolution of flora, and an example of a functioning Balkan uplands ecosystem. The dominant part of the park is high mountain territory over 2,000 m. The diverse limestone mountain landscapes include over 70 glacial lakes and a range of glacial landforms, with many waterfalls, rocky screes and caves. Forests are dominated by conifers. Pirin’s natural coniferous forests include Macedonian Pine and Bosnian Pine, with many old growth trees. Endemic species for the Balkan and the Apenine Peninsula, the Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii) is very special in Bulgaria, its forests are only met in Pirin and Slavyanka Mountains. A special Pirin landmark is a 1,300 years old tree of Bosnian Pine, known as “Baikusheva mura” – believed to be the oldest tree on the Balkan peninsula. The high mountain peaks and crags contrast with meadows, rivers and waterfalls and provide the opportunity to experience the aesthetics of a Balkan mountain landscape. NP Pirin includes a range of endemic and relict species that are representative of the Balkan Pleistocene flora. The park includes also one of the oldest reserves in Bulgaria – Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa. Pirin National Park has long been subject to tourism pressure, largely caused by the development of ski facilities and ski runs, the main threat being the construction and development of Bansko ski zone on the northern slope of the Park. In 2011 a geodesic investigation of Bansko ski zone by the government proved that the ski zone concessionaire in fact uses a 65% larger area than the concession contract provides for.
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USAID and Sustainable Tourism
ANNEX 2. PROJECT PROFILES 2.A: BULGARIA Project Name: Biodiversity Conservation and Contract Number: LAG-I-00-99-00013-00, Task Economic Growth (BCEG) (Phases I and II) Order 001 Project Duration: 2000 to 2004 Funding Mechanism: IQC - BIOFOR, Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry Strategic Objective: 183-0410 Special Initiatives Donor Agencies/Partners: • Associates in Rural Development (ARD) • Government of Bulgaria Ministry of Environment and Water • Government of Bulgaria Ministry of Economy • Ministry of Agriculture and Forests • Rila and Central Balkan National Parks • Strandja Nature Park • Foundation for Local Government Reform • Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism • Bulgarian Tourism Union • Pirin Tourism Forum • Regional Tourism Association of Stara Planina • Conservation NGO’s s.a. Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds • US Agency for International Development • United Nations Development Program • Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe • World Bank/Global Environment Facility CONTEXT Bulgaria has a rich history and a unique and internationally significant nature and culture; conservation and cultural identity are particularly strong in rural areas. The country, which is positioned at a crossroads between Europe and Asia, contains nine World Heritage sites, and has rich cultural, historical, and religious resources reaching back from the ancient Greeks and beyond medieval times. It contains mountain ski resorts, beaches with sun and sand (the self-named “sun-and-sand-stalag”), and many “wild” and undeveloped rural areas for adventure seekers. These resources provide a strong base for tourism in Bulgaria. In the mid-1990s, while many sectors of the Bulgarian economy were registering losses, statistics reported by the National Statistic Institute and Ministry of Finance show the tourism sector was steadily generating positive financial results.
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Page 1 POLSKA AKADEMIA NA UK in S T Y TUT ZOOLOGICZNY
POLSKA AKADEMIA NAUK INSTYTUT ZOOLOGICZNY FRAGMENTA FAUNISTICA Tom XIII Warszawa, 10 V 1967 Nr 21 Regina B a ń k o w s k a Materiaux pour 1’etude des Syrphides (Diptera) de Bułgarie Materiały do znajomościSyrphidae (Diptera) Bułgarii MaTepuajibi k imnamuo cevieficrBaSyrphidae (Diptera) Eojirapmi [Avec 69 figures dans le texte] En ćte 1959 et 1964 j’ai eu 1’occasion de faire des excursions pour explorer la faunę dipterologique de Bułgarie. Cette exploration a ete rendue possible grace a 1’amabilitó de l’Institut Zoologique de 1’Acadśmie des Sciences de Buł garie, que je tiens a remercier ici. Les rśsultats obtenus serviront a, complement de 1’etude de la faunę de dipteres de Bułgarie. Les rócoltes et observations ont ete faites dans les regions montagneuses: Belasica, Pirin, Rila, Rodopi, Strandża, YitoSa, Stara Pianina et dans la region maritime. J ’ai elaborś aussi les materiaux recoltes par mes collegues pendant leur sejour en Bułgarie. Les donnees fauniques concernant la familie Syrphidae de Bułgarie sont assez mediocres, seulement le travail de D r e n s k i (1934) contient des donnees plus completes. Tout le reste des elaborations, ce sont les listes tres fragmen- taires consacrees a 1’ensemble des dipteres: N e d e l k o v (1912), S z i l a d y (1934) et D r e n o v s k i (1936) comportant toute la Bułgarie, les travaux de L o e w (1862) et D r ń n s k i (1942) seulement les environs de Yarna et travail de L o e w (1863) les environs de Slivno.
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Some Things You May Find Useful to Know…
Some things you may find useful to know… About Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east. With a territory of 110,994 square kilometers (42,855 sq mi), Bulgaria is Europe's 16th-largest country. Its population of 7.4 million people is predominantly urbanized and mainly concentrated in the administrative centers of its 28 provinces. Most commercial and cultural activities are centered on the capital and largest city, Sofia. The country is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the Council of Europe. The climate in the country is dynamic, which results from its being positioned at the meeting point of Mediterranean and continental air masses and the barrier effect of its mountains. Northern Bulgaria averages 1 °C (1.8 °F) cooler than the regions south of the Balkan mountains. Temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas. The lowest recorded temperature is −38.3 °C (−36.9 °F), while the highest is 45.2 °C (113.4 °F). Situated at a crossroads between civilizations, Bulgaria has more than 13 centuries of recorded history and one of the richest cultural legacies in Europe. Modern Bulgarian culture derives from three ancient civilizations: the Bulgars, then Thracians, and the Slavs. The territory was also part of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for several centuries. Bulgarians are the main ethnic group in the country and comprise 84.8% of the population.
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Hiking in Rodopi–Rila–Pirin Mountains Bulgaria 15 Days/ 14 Nights
“ODYSSEIA-IN” AND “ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS” TRAVEL TEAM Sofia 1000, 20-V “ Аl. Stamboliiski”, (entrance from “Lavele” str.) Те l: +359 2 989 05 38, Fax: +359 2 980 32 00 WWW.HIKING -BULGARIA .COM Hiking in Rodopi–Rila–Pirin Mountains Bulgaria 15 Days/ 14 Nights DAY 1 Welcome to Bulgaria! Start from Sofia airport or Sofia downtown. Transfer to Plovdiv – the cultural capital of Bulgaria (130km, 2 hours). Plovdiv is situated at the footsteps of Rodopi Mountains – the Land of Orpheus and are starting point for hikes and adventures in the pristine Rodopean forests. Night stop: Plovdiv Accommodation: 3* downtown hotel Meals included: no meals included DAY 2 Bachkovo Monastery In the morning we will stroll and visit the cobbled streets of Plovdiv Old Town with its Roman Amphitheatre; Djumaya Mosque - one of the three examples of the oldest type of Ottoman worship buildings still preserved on the Balkan Peninsula; Orthodox Church “St Konstantin and Elena” and will enjoy the unique architecture of the Bulgarian Revival Houses. At noon time we will lhead to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s second largest monastery, famous for its incredible 17 th century murals. In the afternoon we will make a pilgrimage walk to the holy spring and rock chapel of the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. The chapel is situated in the “Red Rock” Nature Reserve with rick flora and fauna. Later: drive to Chepelare town (1.30 hours, 75km) Night stop: Chepelare town Accommodation: family-run hotel Meals included: breakfast and dinner Walking time: 2 hours (ascent: 200m/ descent: 200m) DAY 3 Wonderful Bridges Rock Phenomenon The massif of Rhodope Mountains is the biggest one in Bulgaria.
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Holocene Climate and Landscape History of the Pirin Mountains
ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: IGF-Forschungsberichte (Instituts für Interdisziplinäre Gebirgsforschung [IGF]) (Institute of Mountain Research) Jahr/Year: 2007 Band/Volume: 2 Autor(en)/Author(s): Grunewald Karsten, Scheithauer Jörg Artikel/Article: Holocene climate and landscape history of the Pirin Mountains (Southwest Bulgaria) 314-321 © Institut für Interdisziplinäre Gebirgsforschung (Institute of Mountaun Research) Holocene climate and landscape history of the Pirin Mountains (Southwest Bulgaria) Karsten Grünewald & Jörg Scheithauer Abstract The development of climate and landscape in the Pinn Mountains in a cultural and historical context was analysed and reconstructed, using a combination of different methods. Periods of prosperity and periods of crisis, which are linked to the climate, were detected for the Balkans and can be shown for Southwest Bulgana as well. Particularly during die Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman Age, die “Golden Bulgarian Age” and Litde Ice Age, the phases of climatic stagnation and transition correlate with sta bility (soil formation), activity (erosion), and the dynamic of setdement (expansion vs. abandonment). Determination of age, based on carbon-14, supports these findings. Keywords: Balkans, climate, cultural history, geoarchive, Holocene, radiocarbon 1 Introduction The anthropogenic change of natural and cultural landscape increasingly affects ecosystems throughout the world on a regional and global scale. The resulting eco logical and economic developments need to be recorded and, if possible, sustainably assessed. Therefore a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function and dynamic nature of these ecosystems is essential. In historic and prehistoric times of low population density, periods of warm climate have always been advantageous for the population, particularly in mountainous regions such as Southeastern Europe (Blumel 2002).
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The Study on Integrated Water Management in the Republic of Bulgaria
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA THE STUDY ON INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA FINAL REPORT VOLUME 2: MAIN REPORT MARCH 2008 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd. PROJECT COST ESTIMATE Price Level : Conversion Rate in August 2007 Currency Exchange Rate : EUR 1 = Levs 1.954 = JPY 161.85 : JPY 100 = Levs 1.207 PREFACE In response to a request from the Government of Bulgaria, the Government of Japan decided to conduct a study on Integrated Water Management and entrusted to the study to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA selected and dispatched a study team headed by Mr.Keiji SASABE of CTI Engineering International Co., LTD. between May 2006, and March, 2008. The team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Government of Bulgaria and conducted field surveys at the study area. Upon returning to Japan, the team conducted further studies and prepared this final report. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of this project and to the enhancement of friendly relationship between our two countries. Finally, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the officials concerned of the Government of Bulgaria for their close cooperation extended to the study. March 2008 Ariyuki Matsumoto, Vice President Japan International Cooperation Agency March 2008 Mr. Ariyuki Matsumoto Vice President Japan International Cooperation Agency Tokyo, Japan Sir: LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL We are pleased to submit herewith the Final Report on the Study on Integrated Water Management in the Republic of Bulgaria. The study was conducted by CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd.
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Electoral Geography and Sustainable Regional Development in Bulgaria: Case Study of NorthWest Bulgaria and Vidin District
Geographica Timisiensis, vol. 19, nr. 1, 2010 (pp. 155-162) ● ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN BULGARIA: CASE STUDY OF NORTH-WEST BULGARIA AND VIDIN DISTRICT Marin ROUSSEV Faculty of Geology and Geography, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria Abstract : The transition to sustainable development depends on political factors, concerning regional disproportions, principles of regional policy and local self-government. They are dependent on the electoral behavioral models in society. The change of social conditions in Bulgaria demands an actualization of research methods and indicators so that territorial division is optimized. Electoral geography has a great potential for such actualization. Main operative statistical units in this study are the administrative regions and municipalities as well as their macroelectoral compounding. This approach is combined with the correlative-typological potential of the “geographic passport” method. It is used for the derivation of traditional electoral types of administrative units and macroelectoral regions. Their characteristics are distinguished by clearly expressed dependencies between natural and social features on the one hand and electoral behavioral models, on the other hand. The North- West region is characterized by an unfavorable combination of natural potential and negative social tendencies – broken age structure, negative migration balance, low economic activity and agricultural specialization. This economic basis is combined with a left political orientation. The most typical example for this is the Vidin district. During the last 2-3 years there are social tendencies which lead to the assumption that Bulgaria is entering a new electoral cycle that is to replace the post communist governmental model of the last two decades.
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Permafrost Investigations in the Rila and Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria
Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 21, EGU2019-5864, 2019 EGU General Assembly 2019 © Author(s) 2019. CC Attribution 4.0 license. Permafrost investigations in the Rila and Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria Alexandru Onaca (1), Adrian Ardelean (2,1), Brigitte Magori (1), Mircea Voiculescu (1), Florina Ardelean (1), Emil Gachev (3), and Flavius Sirbu (1) (1) West University of Timisoara, Geography, Timisoara, Romania , (2) National Museum of Banat, Archeology, Timisoara, Romania, (3) South-West University Neoﬁt Rislki, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria This study assesses the possible occurrence of permafrost in the Bulgarian highest mountains using thermal and geophysical measurements. Although both Rila and Pirin Mountains rise to nearly 3000 m, the possibility of permafrost occurrence in these mountain ranges has not been investigated so far. Generally, in marginal periglacial environments, permafrost occurrence is patchy and highly dependent on site-speciﬁc characteristics. However, the conditions of enhanced preservation of permafrost in marginal periglacial environments as in the case of the highest mountains in the Balkan Peninsula, are still poorly understood. A total of 20 thermistors were scattered on the surface of ten selected rock glaciers in the Rila and Pirin Mountains to examine the near-surface thermal regime and to determine whether the microclimatic factors at the ground surface are suitable for hosting permafrost. Measurements of the bottom temperature of the winter snow cover were performed at the end of cold season, whereas the temperature of several springs seeping from rock glaciers was measured in late summer. All the thermal measurements were conducted during two different hydrological seasons (2016-2017 and 2017-2018). Conventional geophysical investigations (electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar) were used to get subsurface information regarding permafrost occurrence within the selected rock glaciers and talus slopes.
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