8,283,200 (1997).

74.6 per sq km.

Sofia

1,188,556 (1993).

Bulgaria is situated in Eastern Europe and bounded to the north by the River Danube and Romania, to the east by the Black Sea, to the south by Turkey and Greece and to the west by Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea and its golden beaches. The land is heavily cultivated, covered with forests and crossed by rivers. Although Bulgaria lies in the very southeast corner of Europe the climate is never extreme in summer, even on the red-earthed plains of Southern Thrace. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe and offer sunbathing from May until October, while in winter heavy falls of snow are virtually guaranteed in the mountain skiing resorts.

Republic since 1990. Head of State: President Petar Stojanov since 1997. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ivan Kostov since 1997.

Bulgarian is the official language and the Cyrillic alphabet is used. English, German, French and Russian are spoken in major tourist resorts and hotels.

The majority of the population are Christian, most of whom adhere to the Eastern Orthodox Church. There is also a significant Muslim minority (9%) and small Roman Catholic and Jewish communities.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are 2-pin.