Area of 110,879 sq km.
South-eastern Europe, the heart of the Balkans, between Romania and Turkey, coastline on the Black Sea.
Bulgaria has key land routes from Europe to the Middle East and Asia.

Bordering countries are Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey.

Main cities - Sofia (capital, population 1.4 million), Plovdiv (380,683 - one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, known for centuries under its Greek name Philippopolis), Varna (356,481) - Black Sea port and resort, major tourist destination, known as the summer, or marine capital.

Terrain - Lowlands in the north and the south along the Danube, but mostly mountainous terrain: Rodopi, Stara Planina and Rila ranges, with Musala the highest peak in the Balkans You can click for a larger picture

Main rivers are the Dunav (Danube - forming a large part of the northern border), Maritsa, Mesta.

Earthquakes - significant areas are liable to earthquakes. There were 16 major earthquakes during the 20th century.