BULGARIA

Physical geography

Bulgaria is located in south-eastern Europe, and has borders with five countries: Turkey and Greece (in the South), Macedonia and Serbia (in the West), Romania (in the North). The north of the country is a large plain. The Danube river forms the border with Romania. In the south, the country is mountainous. In the east, the Black Sea is a very attractive area for tourists. One third of the country is covered with forests. It has a long coastline of 354 kilometers. It is the European country that counts the largest number of natural mineral springs (over 600).

Iconic place

The Varna necropolis has the oldest gold treasure in the world.

Iconic object

Bulgarian yogurt is world famous for being the best; it is a fermented milk product, and the Balkans are considered the homeland of yogurt.

Something the country has done for the world

Two brothers, Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius created the basis for the Cyrillic alphabet, a writing  system used across Eastern Europe, and North and Central Asia. It is the third official script of the EU after the Latin and Greek scripts.

Famous historical figures

The monks Cyril and Methodius who invented the Cyrillic alphabet.

Important living person

Nina Dobrev is a Bulgarian actress and model. At a young age she moved to Canada and later took up an acting career. Since then she has appeared in a number of feature films and series such as Vampire Diaries.

History before 2000

500 BC The Thracian tribes live in what is now southeastern Bulgaria. They are invaded by the Macedonian king Alexander the Great and later dominated by the Roman Empire.

681 A Bulgarian state is created

846 The Bulgars are converted to Christianity

1018-1185 Bulgaria becomes part of the Byzantine Empire

1396 The Turks conquer Bulgaria which becomes part of the Ottoman Empire

1876 The Bulgarians rise in a rebellion again but they are crushed violently

1878 The Treaty of San Stefano signed between Russia and Turkey recognizes the autonomy of Bulgaria

1878 The Treaty of Berlin splits Bulgaria in two; the two parts are given limited autonomy

1908 Bulgaria is united, and becomes an independent kingdom; Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, a German prince, becomes the Tsar of Bulgaria. He was the uncle of Queen Victoria of the UK and is therefore related to the current British royal family

1914-1918 Bulgaria is allied with Germany and surrenders after the First World War. Their army loses the largest number of soldiers per capita of the whole of Europe.

1939-1945 WWII The Soviets occupy Bulgaria. Gradually a Communist regime is introduced

1946 Monarchy is abolished and a republic is declared

1947 A Soviet-like one party state is established, the economy and industry sectors are nationalized

1989 The Communist party leader, since 1954, Todor Zhivkov, is ousted and a multi-party system is introduced

History after 2000

2004 Bulgaria joined NATO

2007 Bulgaria joined the EU

2008 The EU Commission suspends and then removes EU aid because corruption and organized crime are not fought effectively by the Bulgarian government.

2010 The same complaint is made by the EU Commission, and France and Germany block Bulgaria from joining the Schengen Area

Human geography

Population: 6,924,716 (1.4% of the total EU population). Life expectancy: 74. Literacy rate: 98,4% From 2000, the Bulgarian population decreased substantially (population growth was – 5.1 per 1000). This situation is the result of many factors including a decrease in the birth rate (9 per 1000), the slow but steady rise in the rate of mortality (14.1 per 1000), and the increase in emigration mostly of people in the under-35 age group. Domestic violence is a big problem in Bulgaria.

Languages and cultures

Languages: Bulgarian (official language) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Roma 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.). Ethnicity/race: Bulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Roma 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.). Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Jewish) 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4% (2011 est.). National Holiday: Liberation Day, March 3^rd.

Political system, economy

The capital is Sofia, the “2nd oldest European capital”. It is a parliamentary republic and has been a member of the EU since January 1, 2007. Bulgaria remains one of the poorest countries in Europe, and organized crime and corruption are preventing investors and growth. It has kept its currency, the Bulgarian Lev. It is not a member of the Schengen area. Its major trading partners are: Russia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Spain, France.

Youth

The main problems related to the young people in Bulgaria are a result of the socio-economic conditions in the country and the general lack of interest in the problems of young people: alcohol abuse and smoking, an increase in HIV/AIDS and STD case, drug abuse, high rate of teenage pregnancies and abortions. A high percentage of 15-18 year-olds need to go to work; their employers pay them less than the minimum wage and have no health insurance or social security. Criminal behaviour among young people is a problem.

Article by Amelie MURRAY