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Official name: The Republic of Bulgaria
Area: 110 994 km²
Administrative divisions: 28 regions (oblasti) Sofia - city, Sofia district, Burgas, Varna, Plovdiv, Rousse, Haskovo, Lovetch, Montana, Sliven, Yambol, Dobrich, Silistra, Shumen, Gabrovo, Pleven, Vidin, Vratza, Veliko Tarnovo, Pazardjik, Smolyan, Razgrad, Targovishte, Blagoevgrad, Pernik, Kjustendil ,Kardjali, Stara Zagora.
Cities:
Population: 8 million inhabitants
Ethnic groups:
Bulgarian (83%), Turkish (8,5%), Roma (2,6%), others (5,9%)
Official language: Bulgarian
Religion:
Orthodox (83,5%), Muslim (13%), Roman Catholic (1,5%), Jewish (0,8%), Uniate Catholic (0,2%), other (0,7%).
Official currency: 1 Lev (BGN)
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1,95 BGL (last update: 04.08.03)
Political system: Parliamentary republic
President: Georgi Parvanov
Prime Minister:
Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha
Political parties: Simeon II National Movement
United Democratic Forces, an alliance of anti-communist parties and groups which is dominated by SDS-Union of Democratic Forces, a party combining liberal economic policies and conservative social policies.
People's Union is a coalition of the Democratic Party and Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union. It advocates for strong economic reforms and social protection as well.
Bulgarian Socialist Party, successor of the Bulgarian Communist Party which has changed its name at the beginning of the 90's and which has been divided by internal struggles between conservative and reformist wings.
The Alliance for Bulgaria gathers several parties of social and social-democratic orientation.
The Movements for Rights and Freedoms is formed mainly from the Turkish national minority.
Elections:
Climate
Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Mediterranean climate of dry summers and humid winters in the valley of the Rhodope mountains.
The average annual temperature is about 10,5°C. Average temperature is around 0°C in January and 23°C in July.
Bulgaria is two hours ahead of standard GMT. There is a two hour difference between Belgium/Germany/the Netherlands and Bulgaria.
By plane
| Km | Driving time (hours) | |
| Amsterdam | 2 130 | 22 |
| Belgrade | 386 | 4,5 |
| Berlin | 1 548 | 18,5 |
| Bratislava | 893 | 11,5 |
| Brussels | 2 086 | 21,5 |
| Bucharest | 398 | 5 |
| Budapest | 748 | 9,5 |
| Copenhagen | 1 939 | 24,5 |
| Frankfurt | 1690 | 18 |
| Ljubljana | 917 | 10 |
| London | 2 412 | 25 |
| Munich | 1 333 | 14 |
| Paris | 2 171 | 22 |
| Prague | 1 205 | 22 |
| Rome | 1 044 | 20,5 |
| Vienna | 935 | 12 |
| Vilnius | 1 804 | 22 |
| Warsaw | 2 820 | 18 |
| Zagreb | 779 | 9 |
The Bulgarian road network includes only 416 km of highway (total: 37 288 km roads). A highway construction plan exist, but only some parts of it have been realised.
Some infrastructure development projects include:
The railway network comprises 6 500 km of railway, 64% of which is electrified. There are fast and reliable links from Sofia to the other big cities.
There are 5 airports in Bulgaria: Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv and Gorna Oriahovitsa (the latter being used mainly as cargo airport). The most important international airport is the one in the capital Sofia which is well connected to all major European cities.
The main seaports are Varna and Burgas. Infrastructure projects include plans for reconstruction and modernisation of the two ports through which more than 60% of Bulgaria’s foreign trade is served.
Average gross wage (2001): 130 EUR
Average wage for a manual labourer: 50 - 75
Average wage for economist leaving university: 150 - 200 EUR
There are great regional differences in the wage level. Therefore when looking for staff, it is important not to pay exuberant wages, as they will not motivate your local staff at all, but on the other hand beware not to pay too low wages, as they will without doubt demotivate your local staff. Eastwards takes care of your recruitment of local top management, sales and financial management or specialists, and will consult you which wage packages are most suitable for the job responsibilities and place of employment you offer.
| 2000 | 2001 | |
| Inflation | 10,3% | 7,4% |
| Real GDP growth rate (change to previous year) | 5,4% | 4% |
| GDP per capita | 1 700 EUR | 1900 EUR |
| Unemployment | 16,3% | 19,9% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to DE | 487,2 mil. USD | 9,5% |
| Imports from DE | 1 105,6 mil. USD | 15,3% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to IT | 766,4 mil. USD | 15% |
| Imports from IT | 695,2 mil. USD | 9,6% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to BE | 249,4 mil. USD | 4,9% |
| Imports from BE | 107 mil. USD | 1,5% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to UK | 134,7 mil. USD | 2,7% |
| Imports from UK | 178,7 mil. USD | 2,5% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to EU | 2 793,7 mil. USD | 54,8% |
| Imports from EU | 3 574,4 mil. USD | 49,4% |
International passport needed for entering the country, you will be controlled at the border.
You do not need a visa for entering the country.
Cultural heritage & gastronomy
Bulgaria is home to ancient cities, monasteries and churches, a mixture of Thracian, Greek, Roman, Macedonian, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian heritage.
The Black Sea coast is extremely popular during summer with local and foreign tourists; the most packed resorts are Golden Sands (Zlatni piasaci), Albena, Sunny Beach, Varna, Burgas, Sozopol, Balchik.
Historic cities: Plovdiv, Nessebar, Varna, Sofia
Famous places: Kazanlak (home of the Thracian Tomb, part of the World Heritage Site), Boyana (a suburb of Sofia, hosting the 11th century Boyana church, best known for its exquisite frescoes), Madara Rider (a 8th century old sculpture carved into a cliff), Rila Monastery, Churches of Ivanovo (a complex of churches and monasteries carved into rock).
Nature: Black Sea coast, Rhodope Mountains, Srebarna Nature Reserve, Pirin National Park
Gastronomy
Bulgarian cuisine is a result of both local and foreign (Greek, Turkish) influences. Traditionally the main meal of the day is lunch, but many people serve the main meal in early evening (4 or 5 p.m.). Pork and lamb are the most common meats, and dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese occupy a major part in the daily diet.
Some traditional dishes: sarmi (stuffed cabage rolls), moussaka, kufteta (fried meat balls), grilled meat (kebapcheta), kavarma. Soups are an important element of the everyday meal: bob chorba (bean soup), tarator (cold yoghurt and cucumber soup), shkembe soup (tripe soup with garlic, vinegar). Shopska salad made of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions covered with cheese is a Bulgarian (and not only) favourite. Traditional desserts: milk banitsa, banitsa saralia, baked apples with vanilla syrup.
| BGN | EUR | |
| bread | 0,6 | 0,3 |
| 0,5 l of beer | 0,6-1 | 0,3-0,5 |
| 1 cup of coffee | 0,6-3 | 0,3-1,5 |
| 1 bottle of wine | 2-4 | 1-2 |
| 1 litre of milk | 1-2 | 0,5-1 |
| 1 kg of chicken meat | 3-5 | 1,5-2,5 |
| 1 litre of petrol | 1,3 | 0,65 |
| 1 litre of diesel oil | 0,98 | 0,5 |
| Taxi services | 0,6/km | 0,3/km |
| Average cost of meal | 10-15 | 5-7,5 |
| Real estate/m2 | 260-400 EUR/m2 | |
| 1 movie ticket | 1-2 | 0,5-1 |
| Average cost of lodging | 60-90 |
Bulgaria is relatively a safe country and you will able to walk around late night without feeling threatened. Beware of pick pocketers in crowded places and do not exchange currency on the streets! Pay special attention to where you park your car: it’s advisable to leave it in a well-guarded parking space.
| Public institutions | 08.00 - 16.00 |
| Business offices | 08.00 - 16.00/17.00 (weekdays) |
| 08.00 - 13.00 (Saturdays) | |
| Banks | 09.00 - 16.00 (weekdays) |
| Department stores | 09.00/10.00 - 19.00/20.00 (weekdays) |
| 09.00 - 13.00 (Saturdays) | |
| Shops (grocery stores) | 07.00 - 20.00 (weekday & Saturdays) |
| 07.00 - 15.00 (Sundays) | |
| 24h supermarkets | |
| Shopping centres | 09.00 - 21.00 (weekdays & Saturdays) |
| 2004 | |
| New Year’s Day | January, 1st |
| Day of Liberation from the Ottoman Empire | March, 3rd |
| Good Friday | April, 9th |
| Easter Monday | April, 12th |
| Labour Day | May, 1st |
| St. George’s Day | May, 6th |
| St. Cyril and St. Methodus | May, 24th |
| National Day of Bulgaria’s Unification | September, 6th |
| Bulgaria’s Independence Day | September, 22nd |
| Day of the National Revival Leaders | November, 1st |
| Christmas | December, 25th-26th |
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