Bulgaria Capitals

Sofia is the capital, largest, and most populous city in Bulgaria. It is the primary economic and administrative center of the country. It is located in the western part of the country on the foot of the Vitosha Mountain in the Sofia Basin. By 7000BC Sofia had already been settled. The city became the capital of Bulgaria during the reign of the Ottoman empire and thereafter. It was massively bombed by the allied forces during the World Wars because of its association with Nazi Germany. After independence, it regained its status as the capital of the independent Bulgaria.

Sofia covers a metropolitan area of about 4,066 square miles and an urban area of 3,244 sq mi. The city proper has an estimated population of 1.3 million people while the urban environment has a population of 1.6 million. The metropolitan population is approximately 1.7 million. The ration of men to women is 1000:1002 while the birth rate stands at 12.3 for every 1000 people.

The city of Sofia, and the nearby coastal and mountain resorts are some of the most visited places in the country. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the city’s landmarks and symbols. It was constructed in the late 19th century and can accommodate about 10,000 people. The largest museum collection in the country is within the city including the National Historical Museum in Boyana. Mount Vitosha in the city’s outskirts offers a serene environment to camp and enjoy with friends away from the city.

The city experiences a humid continental climate classified as Dfb under the Köppen climate classification. The city’s average annual temperature is about 10.6 degrees Celsius. During the winter the temperature can drop to −15 degrees Celsius, especially in January. Fog and snow are common during this period. The city is located at 1,640–7,510 feet above the sea level. The summer is, therefore, a bit cooler than other parts of the country. Between July and August, the temperature can rise to 35 degrees Celsius, subjecting the city to heat waves. The annual average precipitation is 22.91 inches.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Sofia
Languages	Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Romani 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.)
Ethnic Groups	Bulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Romani 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.)
Religion	Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Jewish) 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4% (2011 est.)
Government	Parliamentary republic
Independance	3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)
Area	110,879.00 km²
Water Area	2,390.00 km²
Land Area	108,489.00 km²
Population	7,144,653.00 A fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations
Location	Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey
No. Bordering Countries	5
Bordering Countries	Greece 472 km, Macedonia 162 km, Romania 605 km, Serbia 344 km, Turkey 223 km
GDP(PPP)	$143,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$20,100.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Germany, Italy, Turkey, or Romania.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are clothing, footwear, iron and steel, and machinery.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Germany, Russia, and Italy.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include machinery and equipment, metals and ores, and chemicals.
Climate	Temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain	Mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast
Learn More	Bulgaria

Bulgaria Capitals

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