GEOGRAPHY
Located
on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria extends from the western shore
of the Black Sea to Yugoslavia in the west. In the north, the
Danube River forms the greater part of Bulgaria's common boundary
with Romania. Greece and European Turkey lie to the south and
southeast of Bulgaria.
The country is divided roughly into three parallel east-west zones:
the Danubian tableland in the north, the Stara Planina (or Balkan)
Mountains in the center, and the Thracian Plain and the Rhodope
and Pirin Mountains in the south and southwest. About one- third
of the country lies at an altitude of 500 meters (1,640 ft.) above
sea level. The average elevation is 480 meters (1,575 ft.) above
sea level.
On the fringe of the humid continental climate zone, Bulgaria
has a climate similar to the U.S. Midwest. The weather varies
considerably from year to year, as do the several climatic subzones
within the country. Summer temperatures average about 24 C (75
F); winter temperatures average around 0 C (32 F). Annual precipitation
averages 63 centimeters (25 in.).
Official
Name: Republic of Bulgaria
Area: 10,994 sq. km. (slightly larger than Tennessee).
Major cities: Capital--Sofia (1.2 million). Others--Plovdiv
(350,000), Varna (300,000).
Terrain: Bulgaria is located in South Central Europe. The
terrain is varied, containing large mountainous areas, fertile
valleys, plains and a coastline along the Black Sea.
Climate: Continental--mild summers and cold, snowy winters.
