Location
Bulgaria is situated in South East Europe and occupies the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula.
To the north it borders on Romania, to the west on the Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to the east on the Black Sea, to the south on Greece and to the southeast on Turkey's European part.
Area: 111.000 sq km.

Relief
Extremely varied: large plains and lowlands, low and high mountains, valleys and lovely gorges.
Bulgaria is distinguished for its rich and varied beauties of nature - a sea with a 380 km. long coastal strip and golden beaches, 16 mountains (the Balkan Mountains, Rhodope Mountains, Rila mountains, Pirin mountain, Vitosha mountains, Belasica mountains, etc.) with their own characteristic features, shelters, valleys and high plateaus, over 550 curative mineral springs, dozens of unique natural phenomena and 2000 thrilling caves, a healthy climate and diverse flora and fauna.
The highest peak in Bulgaria and in the Balkans is  the Moussala peak (2 925 m).
More than one quarter of the country's territory is covered with forests. The edelweiss which grows in places difficult to reach in the Pirin Mountains and the Balkan Range, is one of the rarest plants growing in the country.
Bulgaria is famous for its oleaginous rose which blooms in the Valley of Roses. The Bulgarian tobacco brands are also world - famous.
The Bulgarian fauna consisting of almost 13 000 animal species and subspecies, or about 14 percent of all European species is as fascinating as its flora.
Fishing can be practised at rivers, lakes, dams, mountain brooks and sea, hunting - in special hunting grounds.

Climate
Temperate continental with four clearly defined seasons.
A Mediterranean influence is felt in the country's southern regions.
The average annual temperature is 10.5°C.
The average temperature in January  is around O°C.
The average summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C.

Mountain Climate
The mountainous climatic region covers the mountain parts at altitudes above 900-1,000 m. Temperatures decrease with height, whilst snowfalls increase. The snow cover remains deep and extensive for five to six months and is over 1.5 m thick. The average January temperatures at the highest mountain peaks reach up to -20°C and are around -5°C in the valleys and ski resorts. Average summer temperatures vary between 14°C and 19°C.
There are about 250 sunny days a year. The air is crystal-clear and fragrant with the smell of pines. There is no aerosol pollution and the atmosphere abounds in ultraviolet rays.