Bulgaria
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Capital
Sofia
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Local time
21:33
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Population
7.05 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+359
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Currency
лв BGN (lev)
Bulgaria
-
Capital
Sofia
-
Local time
21:33
-
Population
7.05 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+359
-
Currency
лв BGN (lev)
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Average Salary
$ 627
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Petrol price
€ 1.49 pl
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Precipitation
608mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
110 910 km2
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Protected Area
41%
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Forest Area
35%
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Agricultural area
45%
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Railways
4019km
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Annual air passengers
1.09 m
Population
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Ethnicity
Bulgarian - 83 %
Turk - 9 %
Roma - 4 %
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Religion
Bulgarian Orthodox - 83 %
Islam - 12 %
Islam - 12 %
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Literacy rates
98.4%
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Languages
Bulgarian
Turkish
Roma
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Armed Forces
47 300
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Murders
2 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
11.3 l/person
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Smoking
42.4%
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Diabetes
5.9%
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Tuberculosis
24 per 100k
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HIV
0.1%
Economy
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Industries
electricity, gas, water, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products
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Agriculture
vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets, livestock
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Natural Resources
bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land
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Energy Import
36%
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Natural Resources
bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land
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Renewable Energy
17%
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CO2 Emissions
42 416kt
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Ease of Business
50 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
118
What not to do when visiting Bulgaria
Bulgaria Don't be an arrogant cheap stake. Even it might be an inexpensive country for you, it doesn't mean you can get everything you want for next to nothing.
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Bulgaria Don't always trust hotel star ratings - it's good practice to check the hotels twice to confirm you get what you think.
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Bulgaria Don't take everything people say personally. Bulgarian friends can give you the most direct, brutally-honest feedback you've ever heard - they rather say it than lie to you.
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Bulgaria Don't forget Bulgarians love roses - so much, that they've made the rose the symbol of Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria Don't be surprised Bulgarians may do nod for "no" and shake their heads for yes.
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Bulgaria Don't necessary make personal jokes on Bulgarian, they won't appreciate of being part of foreigner's joke.
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Bulgaria Don’t forget to greet properly greetings consist of a firm handshake, direct eye contact and the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Address people with their titles (if you know them) or with Mr "Gospodin / Mrs "Gospozha" followed by the surname. Only friends and family address each other with first names and possibly a hug or kiss.
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Bulgaria Don’t put the thumb in between the middle and index finger while making a fist - it‘s an obscene gesture.
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Bulgaria Don't leave your glass empty when finished, your host will refill automatically. Just leave your glass partially full for finish.
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Bulgaria Don't expect Bulgarian trains to be fast - it usually stops everywhere or slow down to 50 km per hour.
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Bulgaria Don’t give expensive gifts as it may cause the recipient embarrassment gift giving is treated more about the thought that value.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Eastern Europe Don't break the eye contact when proposing a toast. Some say if you look away, you're doomed to many years of bad sex.
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Bulgaria Don't necessarily ignore the price differences easily in bars or clubs - in some cases might be charged exorbitant prices, especially for champagne and hard alcohol. Bills could get very high and the management may use force to secure payment.
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Bulgaria Don’t use taxis without meter turned on - use taxis with meters and marked rates displayed on a sticker on the passenger side of the windshield.
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Eastern Europe Don't forget, saying "Thank you" to a service persons means 'Keep the change'.
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Bulgaria Don't always trust stray dogs, even though they are usually not aggressive.
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Europe Don’t forget to handshake when greeting (men). Women usually greet with light kisses on both cheeks (”air kisses” where you just touch cheeks and kiss the air), a handshake is common on first meeting. Eye contact is important.
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Europe Don't smack or slurp - it's not appreciated.
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Europe Don't avoid eye contact business and personal conversations. It's a sign of courtesy.
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Europe Don't enter buses, trains or similar before everyone who wants to get out has done so.
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Europe Don't forget to wear reflectors when riding a bike or walking at dark.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Varna Don't drink in public in Varna - it's forbidden since 2015 due to many drunk tourists.
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