BULGARIA: GEOGRAPHY
Bulgaria is comprised of the classical regions of Thrace, Moesia and
Macedonia.
It shares borders with Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, Greece, and Turkey.
The Balkan peninsula derives its name from the Balkan or Stara Planina
mountain range which runs through the center of Bulgaria into eastern
Serbia.
Two mountain ranges and
two great valleys mark the topography of Bulgaria. The eastern border is
situated alongsidethe Black Sea. The Maritsa is Bulgaria's principal
river, and the Danube also flows through the country.
The southwest of the country is mountainous, containing the highest
point of the Balkan Peninsula, peak Musala at 2,925 m, and the range of
the Balkan mountains runs west-east through the middle of the country,
north of the famous Rose Valley. Hill country and plains are found in
the southeast, along the Black Sea coast in the east, and along
Bulgaria's main river, the Danube in the north. Other major rivers
include the Struma and the Maritsa river in the south.
The Bulgarian climate is temperate, with cold, damp winters and hot, dry
summers.
The vegetation of Bulgaria is typical for the Central European forest
region, but the influence of the South Russian and Asia Minor regions is
also felt. The higher part of Bulgarian mountains are covered by sub
-Arctic vegetation, among which juniper forests predominate. In fact,
Bulgaria boasts 3000 higher plant varieties. More then one quarter of
the country's territory is covered with forests. The edelweiss which
grows in places difficult of access in the Pirin Mountains and the
Balkan Range, is one of the rare plants growing in the country.
