Founded on the crossroad between West and East, North and South civilizations and cultures, the key word for Bulgaria is variety.

Bulgaria has a very interesting and important socio-geographical position, as it is situated on the crossroads between Europe and Asia. It borders on Romania to the North, Serbia and the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia to the West, Greece and Turkey to the South and the Black Sea to the East. Bulgaria's territory is about the same size as that of Portugal in Europe, Jordan in Asia, Liberia and the Republic of Benin in Africa, Guatemala and Cuba in Latin America, the US state of Ohio in North America.

High mountains, deep valleys, lakes and rivers, green forests, grassy foothills, fertile flatlands, sea coast bays and sandy beaches can still be discovered, unspoiled by mass tourism. Modern cities, rural villages, fancy cars, donkey-pulled carts, old monasteries and ancient ruins make Bulgaria a bridge between rich past and challenging future.

In the hard period of changes Bulgarians remain hospitable and helpful and it's easy to strike up a friendship with these hot-blooded and nice people.

Located in the southeast part of Europe, Bulgaria enjoys four clearly defined seasons: energetic spring, adventurous summer, colourful autumn and enigmatic winter. The sunny and dry climate pushes cloud bases higher and the refreshing northerly winds make thermals stronger. The uncrowded airspace and the great flying possibilities will allow you to explore the limits of the nature and wake up the spirit of ultimate freedom dreaming inside you.

Bulgaria can be relatively divided into 2 climatic zones. The Balkan Mountain is considered to be the watershed between them. Winters are colder in Northern Bulgaria, and considerably milder in the Southern part of the country. Summers, on the other hand, are hot and humid in the Northern part, especially along the Danube and in Dobrudja. To the South temperatures tend to be more like those in the Mediterranean region. Bulgaria has 4 clearly determined seasons. The average temperatures for the winter are 0 - 5°C and the average summer temperatures 26 - 32°C. Rainfalls are most frequent in May, October and November. The lowest temperature -38.3°C was measured in 1947. The highest temperature in Bulgaira measured on 05 July, 1916 was 45.2°C in the shade, near Sadovo station.

Although modest in area, Bulgaria's territory is most attractive and luring with its rare combination of sea, mountains, plains and valleys, orchards, vineyards and mineral springs.

The Black Sea coast strip is 384 km long and the overall sea area is 413,488 sq.km., which is nearly 4 times the territory of Bulgaria. The average depth of the water at sea is 1,245m and it reaches up to 2,245m at places. The water contains different kinds of salts, which have a beneficial effect on the human body. Its average temperature for the summer is about 26°C. The Black Sea coast has wonderful large beaches with fine, clean sand, rich in curative salts and shallow and clear water and breezes.

There are 3 national parks, 9 nature parks, 89 reserves and 2,234 natural landmarks in Bulgaria. Two of them - Pirin National Park and Srebarna Nature Reserve have been included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage.

Bulgaria is rich in places where nature has been preserved almost unspoiled and vegetation demonstrates remarkable diversity. A total of 12,360 species have been found in its composition. The Bulgarian endemic plants, which are to be found nowhere else in the world, number more than 250 species: Rila Primrose, Balkan Violet, Bulgarian Blackberry, Rhodope Tulip, etc. Forests abound with various wild fruit all of them of proven flavour. There is also a great diversity of herbs. Bulgaria's fauna numbers more than 13,000 species. Rare mammal species are also to be found in the country. Sustainable development and tourism is deemed central for the preservation of dozens of endemic plants and species, natural phenomena, century-old trees.

Bulgaria is stepping up its claim as a good place to go for a healthy holiday. There are more than 500 recognized mineral springs with a total debit of 28,000 l. /sec. Almost 3/4 of them are hot - with temperatures varying from 37 to 100°C. The other 1/4 - so-called Hypothermal Springs have temperatures from 20 to 37°C. Spa-centres for balneal treatment and curative procedures are built at most of them. The most famous spa resorts are: Albena, Hissar, Sandanski and Velingrad.