:: Travel information for Bulgaria

Speed limits

There are the following speed limits in Republlic of Bulgaria:
Settlements – 50km/h

Out of settlements - Highways -The bigger part of the roads in Bulgaria is in good condition according to the European requirements but there are also roads with holes that are dangerous for the car as well as for the people. Be careful while traveling in Bulgaria, because the indicative signboards are missing at many places.

:: Important telephone numbers:

150 – First Aid
160 – Fire brigade
166 – Police
165 – Traffic police - Auto accidents

And more : Useful information

Location

• Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe and occupies an area of 111 000 sq.km in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The average altitude is 470 m and the Black Sea coast is about 380km long.

Population:

• 7,973, 673 (2001)

Capital city:

• Sofia

Official language:

• Bulgarian

Alphabet

• Cyrillic, Bulgarian language and alphabet

Religion

• There is freedom of religious confessions. Traditional religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity

State system

• A parliamentary republic with a one-chamber parliament (National Assembly), consisting of 240 national representatives, elected for a four-year term of service. The head of state of the republic is the President, elected for a five-year term of service. The Council of Ministers is the main body of executive power.

Economy

• Bulgaria has been an associated member of the European Union (EU) since 1992. In 1997 an agreement was signed with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for economic stabilization and for the carrying through of economic reforms in the country. A currency board was introduced. The national monetary unit has been referred to the EURO. A structural reform is underway aimed at an economic growth, a functioning market economy and at paving the way for foreign investments in the country.

Transport

• Railway, automobile, air and water.

International automobile sign:

• BG

International telephone code:

• +359

Time difference

• Winter time: GMT + 2 hours( October through March)
• Summer time: GMT + 3 hours (April through September) (daylight saving system operates)

Public holidays

• January 1 - New Year
• March 3 - National day of the Liberation from Ottoman Domination
• Easter - Two days (Sunday and Monday) according to the Orthodox calendar
• May 6 - St. George's Day
• May 24 - the Day of Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture and Slav Script
• September 6 - National Day of Bulgaria's Reunion in the year of 1885
• September 22 - Independence Day
• November 1 - Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders
• December 24-26 - Christmas Eve and Christmas
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Phone calls

• From the phone unit in your room you may contact the number you wish by direct dialling.
  
  Most important phone numbers:
• 0123 - operator for international calls (if no direct phone call is possible)
• 1286, 983 308 - Road Assistance
• 75 361 - Institute for Treatment of Foreign Citizens
• 798 035 - Sofia Airport - International Flights
• 722 414 - Sofia Airport - Domestic Flights
• 121 - operator for long-distance calls within the country
• 140 - sending of telegrams
• 144 - telephone information service for office phone numbers
• 145 - telephone information service for home numbers
• 146 - Emergency Road Service
• 150 - Emergency Medical Aid
• 166 - Police/Road patrols
• 175 - weather forecast
• 180 - exact time ("speaking" clock)

Currency

Bulgarian Lev (BGN), which is divided into 100 stotinkas. All payments should be made in national currency. Banknotes and coins currently in use:

• Notes: BGN 100, BGN 20, BGN 10, BGN 5, BGN 5
• Coins: BGN 1, 50 stotinkas, 20 stotinkas, 10 stotinkas, 5 stotinkas, 2 stotinkas, 1 stotinka.
  
  The Bulgarian Lev is not traded internationally. Commercial Banks will quote daily exchange rates for the BGN against all major foreign currencies.

Banks

• Banks are usually open Monday to Friday, from 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. It is best to have your passport with you for you may need it when exchanging currency or cashing cheques. There are also ATMs ( Automatic Teller Machines.

Credit cards

• You can use the main international credit cards at the big hotels, the car hire offices, some restaurants and shopping centres.

Electricity

• Bulgaria operates on 220V, two – pin plug system.

Restaurants

• Restaurants are open from 07:30 a.m. to 11-12 p.m., and some of them may be open as long as there are guests. Tips: you are not charged for the service in most of the bars and restaurants, therefore it is accepted to leave a tip of 5-10%. In some restaurants, the service charge is specified in the menu and included in your bill.

Bulgarian cuisine

• The most popular Bulgarian salad - shopska salata ( chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers sprinkled with Bulgarian white cheese ), kyopulo salad ( roasted aubergines, peppers, loads of garlic and parsley ), tarator ( cold yoghurt and cucumber soup ); dishes: kavarma ( meat and vegetable stew usually served in individual pots ), kebapcheta ( spicy mince meat, sausage shaped and grilled ), chushki biurek ( fried peppers stuffed with egg and cheese ), sirene po shopski ( white cheese, egg, tomatoes, peppers, baked in a pot ), etc.
  Worth noting:
• Bulgaria offers excellent, world-famous red and white wines, as well as grape and plum brandy ( rakia in Bulgarian ). - You will find the prices surprisingly low.
• Bulgarians tend to serve food warm, rather than piping hot.
• When ordering a main course in a restaurant, check if it comes with "garnitura" - usually you have to order you side dishes extra.

Bulgarian phrases

• Bulgarian language and alphabet:
  
  Bulgarian is a slavonic language. The alphabet is known as Cyrillic after its founders - Sts. Cyril and Methodius. A total of 30 letters.
• Good morning/ day/ evening = Dobro utro/ Dobar den/ Dobar vecher;
• Hello = Zdraveite;
• How are you = Kak ste;
• My name is … = Az se kazvam …;
• Thank you = Blagodaria;
• Excuse me = Izviniavaite;
• Would you please help me = Bihte li mi pomognali;
• How much does it cost = Kolko struva tova;
• Numbers: edno (1), dve (2), tri (3), chetiri (4), pet (5), shest (6), sedem (7), osem (8), devet (9), deset (10).

Climate

• Moderate continental with Black Sea influence in the east and Mediterranean n the south.
• The climate in Northern Bulgaria is moderate continental, while the climate in Southern Bulgaria is intermediate continental tending to Mediterranean. The climate along the Black Sea coast it is maritime. The climate of the seaside regions is milder in the winter and cooler in the summer than the climate of the interior of the country. The average annual temperature is 10,50C, in winter about 00C (the lowest temperature - 38,30C - was measured in 1947). Average summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C.
• 
  Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.