Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria’s post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain t

Bulgaria is located in southeast Europe, it is situated in the Balkan Peninsula. The countries surrounding it are: Romania- to the north, Turkey and Greece- to the south, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia- to the west. On the east it is bound by the Black Sea.

Bulgarian People

Around about 85% of the Bulgarian population is classified as ethnic Bulgarian. There are also other smaller groups of people such as Turks, Roma (known as Gypsies), Armenians, Greeks, Macedonian Slavs and of course there are now a growing population of expats from abroad such as Brits and Germans etc.

All young Bulgarians find it important to have a very neat appearance, western and european fashions are very popular. In the towns and villages a very strange clash appears- one of old and new together. There are old baba's and dyado's (grandmother's and grandpa's) walking the street with their goats in tow and then a very fashionable young couple walks along in their designer jeans! In Rural Bulgaria most families share a big house, for example if there is a 3 storey house then the grandparents stay at the bottom, their grown children stay on the second floor and then their children will stay at the top! In urban areas most people stay in small flats.

Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria’s post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain th

Bulgaria is located in southeast Europe, it is situated in the Balkan Peninsula. The countries surrounding it are: Romania- to the north, Turkey and Greece- to the south, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia- to the west. On the east it is bound by the Black Sea.

Bulgarian People

Around about 85% of the Bulgarian population is classified as ethnic Bulgarian. There are also other smaller groups of people such as Turks, Roma (known as Gypsies), Armenians, Greeks, Macedonian Slavs and of course there are now a growing population of expats from abroad such as Brits and Germans etc.

All young Bulgarians find it important to have a very neat appearance, western and european fashions are very popular. In the towns and villages a very strange clash appears- one of old and new together. There are old baba's and dyado's (grandmother's and grandpa's) walking the street with their goats in tow and then a very fashionable young couple walks along in their designer jeans! In Rural Bulgaria most families share a big house, for example if there is a 3 storey house then the grandparents stay at the bottom, their grown children stay on the second floor and then their children will stay at the top! In urban areas most people stay in small flats.

Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria’s post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain t

All young Bulgarians find it important to have a very neat appearance, western and european fashions are very popular. In the towns and villages a very strange clash appears- one of old and new together. There are old baba's and dyado's (grandmother's and grandpa's) walking the street with their goats in tow and then a very fashionable young couple walks along in their designer jeans! In Rural Bulgaria most families share a big house, for example if there is a 3 storey house then the grandparents stay at the bottom, their grown children stay on the second floor and then their children will stay at the top! In urban areas most people stay in small flats.

Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria’s post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain t

Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria’s post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain t

Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria’s post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain these services. Furthermore, the transition to a market economy resulted in food and water shortages, high inflation and increased unemployment. Residents of Bulgaria’s large cities are burdened by housing shortages and rising rents. Things were made increasingly bad when the Lev (national currency) collapsed in late 1996 and early 1997, only 10 years ago Bulgarians still had to stand in a queue for about 6 hours waiting for one loaf of bread!

Now that food is easily available there are many popular traditional dishes favoured by all here, these include things such as "Shopska Salad," which is a salad unique to Bulgaria normally featuring tomato, cucumber, peppers and white goats cheese (sirene). Another summer favourite is "Tarator ," this is a cold yogurt and cucumber soup which can be served as a starter instead of salad, often it is even served up in a glass. In Sofia the capital you are likely to find many stalls selling something called "banitsa," which is a flaky sort of pastry which can have any filling, one of the more popluar is yellow cheese (kashkaval).

The Bulgarian literacy rate is hitting 98%, as education is free and compulsary. Students firstly attend Primary School when they are 7 years old for 4 years, they then progress to Middle School for 3 years and then Secondary School can range up to 5 years depending on personal choice, compulsory education ends at the age of 18. Most students continue their education past secondary school and attend various universities. There are many instit