The Republic of Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe bordered by Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea. It has a population of over seven million people, in an area of 110 993 square kilometers. Bulgaria is a politically stable democracy and a member of NATO (since 2004) and the EU (since 2007). Bulgaria is one of the oldest European States with 20-century-old history and a busy crossroad of ancient cultures. Bulgaria is also known for its picturesque nature and rich cultural heritage. According to the statistics, the country ranks third in Europe only after Greece and Italy for the number of its valuable archeological monuments.
(Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Sofia is a modern European city with population of over 1,2 million people. Apart from being administrative, political and economic center, Sofia is also an important cultural and educational hub. Sofia is known for its unique and strategically important geographic location. It is situated in the center of the Balkan Peninsula, close to most of the neighboring Balkan countries’ capitals. Sofia’s territory is crossed by three European transport corridors, which connect major regional cities. In Sofia are the headquarters of all public administrative authorities and the head offices of a great number of foreign and local institutions. Here operate the EU Association Council and the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria.
Sofia represents a mixture of ancient cultures and traditions. Aside from the splendid history of the city, Sofia also hosts numerous tourist attractions, a vibrant nightlife, and countless restaurants.
(Source: Sofia Municipality)