• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of Bulgaria

Geography

Bulgarian Geography - Mountains
Mountains

Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula, reaching inland from the Black Sea, which is on its eastern side. Bulgaria is bordered by Serbia (west), Macedonia (southwest), Greece (south), Turkey (southeast), and Romania (north).

Geographically, Bulgaria seems to be either very low-lying or very high rising. Much of the country's north, south, and east are flat, but in the middle of the country and in the west there are some mountains that quickly rise up and are difficult to access. These areas provide great beauty, but little life; as the flat lands, particularly the Black Sea coast are home to most of the population.

Weather

Bulgarian Geography - Stream in the forest
Stream in the forest

Bulgaria's weather is affected by the Mediterranean currents from the south, the Black Sea to the east, and the continental currents from the Balkan Peninsula mountains. These variations make the weather somewhat unpredictable.

Daily winter highs in most of the cities are above freezing (32° F (0° C), but night temperatures usually drop to below freezing and to as cold as 23° F (-5° C) in the case of Sofia. At elevation these temperatures can be much lower and in these areas snow is not uncommon.

Summers tend to be hot throughout the country with daily highs of nearly 80° F (27° C) in both Varna on the coast and in Sofia, which is inland. Night temperatures can drop significantly though, with daily lows of about 56° F (13° C) in Sofia.

Wildlife

Bulgarian Geography - Black Sea
Black Sea

Bulgaria has one of the most diverse wildlife ecosystems in Europe due to the country's diversity from mountains to waterfront and warm sub-tropical weather to snow in the mountains. Bulgaria is home to bears, wolves, deer, elk, and goats, in addition to many small mammals like squirrels and rodents. There is also a wide variety of sea life, in the lakes, rivers, and the Black Sea.

The Black Sea coast also attracts a number of migrating birds, which feed off the small fish in the rivers and lakes.

This page was last updated: March, 2013