Bulgaria, officially Bulgarian Republika Balgarija, German Republic of Bulgaria, country in Southeastern Europe with (2018) 7 million residents; The capital is Sofia.
Climate
Depending on location and altitude, according to bridgat, Bulgaria is characterized by continental, Mediterranean, mountain and Black Sea climates, but most of the country is continentally influenced. Hot dry summers alternate with cold or cool, rainy winters. The Balkans protect western and southwestern Bulgaria from the Siberian cold air inrushes to which the temperate continental northern Bulgaria is exposed in winter. The annual average temperature is between 9.5 ° C and 13.5 ° C, but is quite different depending on the exposure and altitude. The mean temperature in July is 23 ° C to 25 ° C, that of January 1 ° C to 3 ° C in the basins and lowlands, -5 ° C in the mountains. The high mountains of southern Bulgaria (Pirin, Rila and Rhodope Mountains) hold back the moderating influence of the Mediterranean climate. The only beneficiaries are the valleys of the Struma and Mesta rivers, which flow into the Mediterranean. The coastal climate of the Black Sea is more continental in the north and more Mediterranean in the south. The highest amounts of precipitation (over 800 mm per year) get the mountain heights (over 1 000 m above sea level). In the other regions, with the exception of the extreme northeast and the western Maritza plain (below 500 mm), the annual rainfall amounts to 550–650 mm; Due to the strong summer evaporation, sufficient crop yields can only be achieved with additional irrigation. The highest amounts of precipitation (over 800 mm per year) get the mountain heights (over 1 000 m above sea level). In the other regions, with the exception of the extreme northeast and the western Maritza plain (below 500 mm), the annual rainfall amounts to 550–650 mm; Due to the strong summer evaporation, sufficient crop yields can only be achieved with additional irrigation. The highest amounts of precipitation (over 800 mm per year) get the mountain heights (over 1 000 m above sea level). In the other regions, with the exception of the extreme northeast and the western Maritza plain (below 500 mm), the annual rainfall amounts to 550–650 mm; Due to the strong summer evaporation, sufficient crop yields can only be achieved with additional irrigation.
Plovdiv
Plovdiv, Plovdiv [diF], Turkish Filibe [ filibε], formerly German Philipp Opel, second largest city in Bulgaria, known as “the city on seven hills” on the upper Maritza, 160 m above sea level (2018) 346,900 residents.
Capital of the Plovdiv Oblast (5,974 km 2, 673,300 residents); Seat of an Orthodox metropolitan; University (founded in 1972), technical university, agricultural, medical and other universities, academy for music, dance and performing arts, several research institutes, ethnographic, archaeological, historical museum, aviation museum. Center of one of the most important economic regions in Bulgaria with non-ferrous metallurgy, machine, vehicle and device construction (including cooling systems), glass, textile, clothing, tobacco and other light industry; Fair city; international Airport.
A Thracian dome grave (4th century BC) has been preserved from the time of the Thracian Empire, the remains of an aqueduct, a temple, an amphitheater and a stadium come from Roman times, and two large mosques, the Ulu Mosque (today Dschumaja mosque) from the end of the 14th century and the Imaret mosque, a central building with a dome from 1444/45, as well as the Turkish bath Tschifte-Banja (mid-16th century). The clock tower from the beginning of the 17th century is the oldest of its kind in Bulgaria.
History
Plovdiv, as Pulpudeva an important place of the Thracian Empire, became 341 BC. Conquered, fortified and renamed Philippopolis by Philip II of Macedonia. In Roman times it was the capital of the province of Thrace and was renamed Trimontiumin 46 AD and re-fortified under Marcus Aurelius. 250 Plovdiv was conquered by the Goths, under Justinian I. again attached. In the Middle Ages, Plovdiv was alternately under Bulgarian (first conquered in 820) and Byzantine rule until it was occupied by the Ottomans in 1364 and then lost its importance. In 1878 Plovdiv became the capital of the Turkish province of Eastern Rumelia and after a survey (1885) came to the Principality of Bulgaria.
Sofia
Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, with (2018) 1.2 million residents.
With several universities, research institutes, museums, the national theater and the state opera, Sofia is the country’s leading educational and cultural center. In addition to the diverse industry, trade, media and finance determine the economic life of the city. The largest airport in Bulgaria is located in Sofia. Several cable cars lead to the Vitosha Mountains (winter sports).
The city’s attractions include the Boyana Church (1259, UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Sophia Church (not before the 9th century) and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (completed in 1912).
Burgas
Burgas, capital of the Burgas region in southeastern Bulgaria, on the Burgas Bay of the Black Sea, the most important Bulgarian port city, (2018) 202 400 residents.
State University (founded in 1963), Free University (founded in 1991); Theater, opera house, museums; Trade center, important industrial location, mechanical engineering, petrochemical, textile and food industries (fish processing, flour mills), shipyards, information technology; Oil refinery, deep sea and fishing port, oil terminal and international airport; Seaside resort.
