Bulgaria

**__Bulgaria! __** Sophie C.& Katie W.(aka the coolest people you will ever meet)



**HERE COME THE BULGARIANS!!!!!! **

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 * INDRODUCTION: Bulgaria is by far the most extrordinaliry enchanting country there is in Europe.  In the beautiful country of Bulgaria the capital city is named Sofia, which in German means wisdom. Our researching led us to believe that the population of Bulgaria was approximately 7,973,673 people. Religion is an important part of Bulgarian life and culture, the traditional religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Located in the small village of Granit, the oldest tree in Bulgaria is thriving, it is at the thrilling age of 1,650 years old! To learn more about the geography, government, history, and traditional foods and agriculture of Bulgaria continue reading the page. 

GEOGRAPHY: ** **The land area is about 110,550 sq kilos. On the east coast of Bulgaria lies the Black Sea, on the west coast is Serbia and Macedonia, Greece and Turkey are below it and Romania is north. Bulgaria consists of plains, mountains plateaus, hills, basins, river valleys, etc. Topography: From east to west, Bulgaria has switching bands of high and low terrain. Two thirds of Bulgaria is plains and plateaus and hilly land. The average altitude is 470 meters. Plateaus: Bulgaria's main plateau is called the Danubian Plateau. It goes from Yugoslavia to the Black Sea. It is a very fertile area which makes it the granary of the country. Mountains: The Carpathian Mountains look like a backwards S. They are located east from Czecholaslovakia across Romania to the Transylvanian Alps on the west. The Rhodope Mtns between the Tharcian Plain and the South Greek border are made up of two mountain Ranges, the Rila Mtns and the Pirin Mtns. Rila has the highest Mtn. peak in the Balkan country which is Mt Musala. Mt. Musala is 2975 meters high. The Pirin Mtns consist of lots of rocky peaks and slopes. The highest peak on this is Mt Vikhren which is 2915 meters high. Basins: Bulgaria consists of many basins but the most common one is the Sofia Basin. The Sofia Basin is about 24 kilometers wide and 96 kilometers long. Bulgaria is also very prone to earthquakes the most common spots these are found is on the border of North Bulgaria and West Rhodopes vault. Climate: Bulgarias climate is very contrasting. It can be anywhere from continental to Mediterranean. North Bulgaria is on average 1 degree cooler and recieves about 192 more millimeters of rain than south Bulgaria. This happens because of the Balkan Mtns which cause a barrier effect. The average rain amount that Bulgaria recieves in a year is about 630 millimeters. Most of the higher elevations get more of the rain. They can get up to 2540 milimeters. The costal climate is highly greatly affected by the nearby Black Sea. This produces strong winds, violent storms, usually occuring during the winter. Environment and problems: As like any country, Bulgaria is suffering from lots of environmental pollution problems such as:**
 * Air Pollution- Air pollution has been a big problem in Bulgaria since 1981 because of the Danube Port city chemical spread. This caused chemical pollution to spread from a chlorine and sodium plant across in Romania, across from the Danube. This is very dangerous to the health of the people living in Bulgaria.
 * Agricultural Pollution- There is lots of worry in Bulgaria about the agricultural pollution. Most of it is caused by a copper plant near a town called Srednogorie. This copper plant is harmful because it emits clouds of copper, lead, and arsenic. In 1988, toxic wastewater was released and flowed into rivers that irrigate the Plovdiv-Pazardzhik Plain which poised the ground water. Actions have been taken to clean the land and drain polluted water. The pollutiants will then go into the Maritsa River. Environmentalists have been claimed that 60 percent of agricultural land in Bulgaria has been ruined due to pesticides and and fertlizers in the industral fallout.
 * Environmental Pollution- Now, 70% of 80% of Sofias air pollution is caused from all sorts of emmissions, but mainly cars trucks and busses. The Kremikovtsi Metallurgy Works and the Buknovo uranium mines are also others playing a part in the pollution of Bulgaria.Scintnists researched the environment and discovered that 2/3 of Bulgaria suffered from a polluted envirnment.




 * <span style="display: block; font-size: 150%; color: rgb(128,0,128); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">GOVERNMENT: **

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #0303b0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">**BULGARIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM** **Stately old mountain,** the sun burns over Pirin. (area of the Rhodope mountains)
 * next to it the Danube blue,**
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #0303b0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">shining upon Trakiya,

Chorus- Dear motherland, you are paradise on earth, your beauty and your charm, ah, they have no bounds.

Countless fighters gave their lives for our beloved people. Mother, give us manly strength to carry on their course. <span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(0,0,255);">- http://www.ask.com/bar?q=bulgarian+national+anthem+(english)&page=1&qsrc=178&ab=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fbulgarianguide.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F08%2Fbulgarian-national-anthem.html **

<span style="display: block; font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; text-align: left;">The Republic of Bulgaria has a parliamentary democracy government. It has 28 provinces which are: (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol.<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"> On March 3, 1878, Bulgaria was declared as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire. March 3 is now a national holiday in Bulgaria. Bulgaria then gained total independence September of 1908 from the Ottoman Empire. The Bulgarian constitution was adopted July 12, 1991. Bulgarias chief of state is President Georgi PURVANOV who has been chief since January 22 in 2002. This is the second time that he has been elected as cheif of state. In his second election, the vote was Georgi PURVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%. Sergei STANISHEV was elected prime minister. In the executive branch, the Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister. He is also elected by the National Assembly. In the legislative branch, there are 240 seats in which are elected by popular vote. They serve 4 year terms. In the Judicial branch, there are 12 justices. These Justices are elected for 9 year terms. Bulgarias flag (red white and green stripe) has had the former national embem removed. Bulgarias Diplomatic representation from the US is the chief of mission, Ambassador James William PARDEW. Its capital city, Sofia is the largest city in Bulgaria. Its located at<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"> 42 41 N, 23 19 E. in Bulgarias legal system, the criminal and civil laws are based on Roman laws, which accepts compulsory. ** <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Like most other places on Earth, Bulgaria's history goes back to times before common era, but this study of the history will focus more on Bulgaria's history as of common era. First, Bulgarians started out in Central Asia and slowly made their way to Bulgaria after years and years of travel and in 681 BEC The Republic of Bulgaria was established. Bulgarians have always been extremely intellengent and aware of their surroundings, ancient Bulgarians were some of the first people to create a solar calendar (the picture on the far right) the solar calendar is highly developed from an astronomical point of view. From 1018 to 1085 Bulgaria was part of the Byzantine empire. In 1396 CE, Bulgaria was overtaken by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire ruled Bulgaria for five centuries that are referred to as "Turkish Yoke." And in 1886 Eastern Rumelia became part of Bulgaria. Towards the end of these five long centuries, in 1896, Bulgaria rebelled against Ottoman rule. How did the Ottoman’s react to this? The Ottoman Empire reacted to the Bulgarian rebellion with violence. On March 3, 1878, Bulgaria is independent from the Ottoman Empire. During World War 1, Bulgaria associated itself with Germany. The Bulgarians ended up losing 100,000 troops, which was the largest per capita loss experienced in the war. In World War 2 Bulgaria was occupied by communist parties. And after the war monarchy was abandoned and communism was adopted. A new constitution was put in place in 1947 that followed Soviet guide lines. When the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968, Bulgaria sent troops to help the Soviet Union. In 1984, the Bulgarian government attempts to make Turkish minorities take in Slavic culture, like Slavic names, and many refuse to do so. Five years later 300,000 of these people flee the country. Between 1989 and 1991 there is an economic crisis and a severe change in government. This crisis caused a nationwide strike to break out. The communist party in Bulgaria reinvents itself as a socialist’s party and looses power. And in 1991 a new constitution is put in place along with more freedoms and the Union of Democratic Forces wins the election of the Bulgarian government. Zhelyu Zhelev is Bulgaria's first (elected) president (1992), but in 1996 financial trouble in the country cause him to be replaced by Petur Stoyanov. Another economic crisis occurred in 1997 and parliament was boycotted and new elections were demanded. In 2001, it was agreed to destroy Soviet Union made missiles. Also in 2001 there was a march through Sofia because of the poor living standards. When five Bulgarian soldiers were killed in Iraq, a day of mourning was declared. It was December of 2003. Bulgaria joins the European Union in 2007. In very recent history, January of 2009, goods coming to Bulgaria were cut short because of the gas problems between Russia and Ukraine. These shortages cause a lot of anger among the Bulgarian people. All in all, the country of Bulgaria has had a fairly exciting and eventful history so far.**
 * <span style="display: block; font-size: 110%; color: #800080; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; text-align: left;">HISTORY:

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #800080; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;">TRADITONAL FOODS AND AGRICULTURE: <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial Black'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msospacerun: yes;"> Agriculture and food have always been a big part of Bulgarian culture and the Bulgarians are known for some different foods that might surprise you. In Bulgaria this is how the land is used: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· arable land- 40.02% <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· permanent crops-1.92% <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">·  other- 58.06% <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">·  Irrigated land- 8,000sq miles. The natural hazards that occur in Bulgaria today are earthquakes and landslides; the only volcano that exists in Bulgaria is extinct. The total agricultural land in 1997 was about 6.2 million of land. 4.8 million were arable land and 1.4 were grasslands. The arable land since then has increased 440,000 and has taken place of grasslands. Private cultivated land is about 95%. Land that is state owned is still 72% of the pastures. After 1958, collective farming was very ordinary and eventually most of the collectives were merged together into complexes. The complexes measured to about 24,000 hectares. In 1959 four out of five Bulgarians were employed by the agricultural system. However, after World War took place Bulgarian agriculture suffered and never quite got back to as productive as it once was. The government took most of arable land from the individual farmers. The best area to grow in Bulgaria is along the Danube River. In the 1960s the government encouraged owning livestock over growing crops because of demand. Agricultural growth fell in the 1970s. The grain growing season of 1985 was so bad for Bulgarian farmers that the Bulgarian government had to import 1.8 million tons of grain. In 1987 the United States Department of Agriculture said that in Eastern Europe Bulgaria had the second largest agricultural trade surpluses. By 2000 agriculture output was less than half of what it was in 1990. Some of the most commonly grown crops in Bulgaria are grapes, potatoes, tomatoes, paprika, and apples (and in 1992 large amounts of tobacco). In 1991 as Bulgaria experienced a severe economic crisis, they also experienced some food shortages. Sugar and Olive Oil were unable to many Bulgarians and the amount people were allowed to feed their livestock was cut in half, and meat became outrageously expensive.

Food: fruit in Bulgaria is usually fresh, good, and cheap throughout the entire year. Bulgaria got a lot of its culture and food from the influence of the country of Turkey. And Bulgaria has many different kinds of soups. Bulgaria is very well known for its yogurt. If you combine tomatoes, red peppers, vegetable oil, feta cheese, eggs, parsley, and salt and pepper and you get a lovely Bulgarian dish call the Mish-Mash Omelet. Some other common dishes of Bulgaria are Banitza, Zucchini Soup, Minced Meat Stuffed Peppers, Moussaka, and Bulgarian Stuffed Potato Salad. A Banitza is one of the most popular Bulgarian dishes in Bulgaria today. To make a Banitza you need filo pastry sheets, white of feta cheese, butter, eggs, soda water, a pinch of salt, and if you want to you can add spinach on the top. As you can see Bulgaria’s food is very diverse and appealing.

<span style="display: block; font-size: 120%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"> CLOSING: As you can see, Bulgaria is a splendid country that everyone should visit at least once in there life time. Although it may have pollution problems, Bulgaria is a strong willed country! Bulgarian cultures are a huge part of a Bulgarians lifestyle. Which can be seen through Bulgarians outfits to the food they eat. They have interesting history filled with many events and a strong caring government. They have overcome a lot in the history of their country. Bulgaria has beautiful geographical features such as the Sofia basin and the Rhodope Mountains. Bulgaria is a absoutly beautiful place from its land scape to its food dishes. As the Bulgarian National Anthem says "(Bulgaria) you are paradise on earth!!"

Picture sitings: 1. http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/gobletoffire/images/downloads/viktor_1024.jpg [] [] [] [] [|www.megaone.com/nbulgaria/ bulgaria/history2.htm] [] [] www.megaone.com/nbulgaria/ photos/nicopol.jpg [] [] [2GvhLkjDNjE/s400/bulgarian+slivatree+25+3+09+yambol+city+farming+begins+3.jpg|http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SvBr0MN8xxE/Sco0QlxTziI/AAAAAAAAFLE/ 2GvhLkjDNjE/s400/bulgarian+slivatree+25+3+09+yambol+city+farming+begins+3.jpg] Delicious accounts: [] [] ** <span style="display: block; font-size: 150%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
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