BULGARIA is situated in Eastern Europe, and is bordered by Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Turkey, Greece, and (to the East) by the Black Sea. The land is forested and mountainous, with the Balkans crossing the country, and sweeping down to the Black Sea Coast, which has beautiful sandy beaches and many fine holiday resorts.

The capital, Sofia, lying in the West, is an ancient city, dating back to the 4th century BC, and retaining much of its architectural styles, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Turkish. There are many museums, ancient churches, and Mosques in the city.

The ancient city of Plovdiv, the 2nd largest city, lies in the South, and boasts medieval houses and Roman ruins.

The winter brings heavy snowfalls in the Balkan and Rhodope Mountains, and there are many ski resorts close to Sofia and Plovdiv.

The climate varies with the altitude; Summers are warm, winters cold.