Bulgaria, once one of the most loyal communist countries in the Soviet bloc, is now a democratic republic. Some in power want membership in the European Union and even NATO, yet it remains to be seen whether the erstwhile Communists, still in nominal control politically, will allow this.
Located in the heart of the Balkans, this country of 8 million has heavy winter snows guaranteeing good skiing at its mountain resorts. And the Black Sea washes up on some of the largest and best beaches in Europe.
Bulgaria's climate is moderate with sunny, warm summers and cold, snowy winters in the interior. Coastal weather is tempered by the Black Sea, with frequent rain during spring and autumn. Bulgaria has occasional, sometimes destructive earthquakes, but otherwise is fairly safe.
Bulgaria's capital city, Sofia, has over 1 million inhabitants and is accessible by air from all major European capitals. Airlines servicing the country include Bulgaria Air, Air Sophia and several European airlines such as Aeroflot, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Austrian Airlines. All Bulgarian cities are connected by rail to the capital. There are no direct rail links to Western Europe, but there are frequent trains to and from Budapest, Belgrade, Istanbul and Thessaloniki.
Roads in Bulgaria, especially in the countryside, are in poor repair and can be crowded with livestock and animal-drawn carts. They may also be full of potholes. Roads may be especially hazardous in winter due to ice, a lack of pavement markings and poor or non-existent lighting; traffic drives on the right.
Much of the phone system is archaic and in disrepair, especially in the countryside. But an increasing number of card phones and digital cell phones are appearing, mostly in Sofia. ATMs can be found in Sofia; credit cards are not widely accepted in the country.
Bulgarian, a language virtually identical to Russian and easily understood by native Russian speakers, is spoken almost exclusively. English, German and Russian are spoken as second languages in resorts and in major hotels. Most Bulgarians are Eastern Orthodox, though there is a significant Muslim minority.
Though nominally secure, Bulgaria has a high crime rate due to inflation and high unemployment; theft directed against foreigners is particularly high. Shopping areas and public transportation hubs are frequented by criminals. Travelers should be wary of locals trying to befriend them and of persons claiming to be security officials.
Hotel and restaurant prices tend to be closer to Western norms in Sofia and in some Black Sea resorts, yet Western currencies still draw favorable exchange rates, so much of the country is a bargain for many travelers.
The iJET® Intelligence Center
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