BULGARIAN HISTORY AND USEFUL FACTS, ACTIVITIES SUGGESTIONS
Despite a turbulent history, Bulgaria is the oldest surviving state in Europe to have kept its original name (since AD681) and most of the population are descendants of the Bulgar invasion of the south Danube around that time. On two occasions during the Medieval period, the Bulgarians managed to establish empires, which existed in a state of armed conflict with Byzantium. The First Empire is reckoned to have lasted from the time of Kurt (584–642) until John Vladislav’s defeat by the Byzantines in 1018; the second was the result of an opportunist revolt in 1185, led by John and Peter Asen, who managed to take advantage of an internal weakness at Constantinople (this collapsed in 1280). Bulgaria’s territory in Macedonia was then overrun by the Serbs – then the rising power in the Balkans. Their dominance was short-lived, however, as the Ottoman Turks arrived in the 1350s. Within 40 years, the country had been completely absorbed into the Ottoman Empire. Bulgaria was a stable province of the Empire, until the rise of Russia as a major player on the European scene under Catherine the Great in the 18th century; Russian strategy hinged upon its self-proclaimed role as protector of the Orthodox Christian communities within the Ottoman Empire.
In the 19th century, Bulgarian nationalists began to organize, noting the decline of the Ottoman Empire and in expectation of eventual independence. Following an uprising in 1876, Bulgarian volunteer forces, with strong Russian support, defeated the Turks and were able to establish an independent state under the terms of the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878. The remaining years of the century were fairly chaotic, as the restored monarchy and newly-formed political parties jostled for position. The most important developments were the emergence of a strong socialist movement and the politicization of the rural population, organized around the Bulgarian Agrarian Union. King Ferdinand was the dominant figure in Bulgarian politics up to World War I, although was discredited thereafter, due to his support for the Germans.
The popular Agrarian leader, Aleksandur Stambolyiski, imprisoned by Ferdinand, formed a reformist government that lasted until 1923, when it was overthrown in a right-wing coup. The government of Alexander Tsankov, which replaced Stambolyiski’s administration, established a royalist-militarist government with King Boris as head of state. The Communists had launched several unsuccessful uprisings but their chance came towards the end of World War II, when – having been relatively unaffected by the fighting – Soviet forces entered the country in 1944. King Boris conveniently died and the Soviet-backed Fatherland Front seized power. The monarchy was abolished and a republic declared. The Front, dominated by the Bulgarian Communist Party, took 70 per cent of the vote in a national plebiscite.
By the end of 1947, the Communist Party had completed its takeover of the country, instituting a Soviet-style constitution and abolishing all opposition parties. Subsequently, Bulgaria’s dominant political figure was Todor Zhivkov, under whose leadership Bulgaria became the staunchest of Moscow’s allies. In 1989, under intense domestic and international pressure, Zhivkov resigned. The first multi-party elections for 44 years were held in June 1990; the ruling Communists had restyled themselves the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and won an absolute majority in the 400-seat National Assembly. Throughout the first half of the 1990s, Bulgaria was wracked by political instability and labor unrest, as the country was plunged into economic crisis. Five governments held office during the next six years.
The main opposition to the BSP was presented by the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), whose leader, Zhelyu Zhelev, held the presidency between 1990 and his fall as UDF leader in early 1996. His successor, Petar Stoyanov, went on to win the presidency in October 1996; the following April, the UDF also secured control of the National Assembly. A welcome period of political stability followed. But in 2001, Bulgarian politics were turned upside down by the former King Simeon II, who had not only returned to his former realm (to a rapturous welcome after 50 years in exile, in 1996) but set up a political party modestly entitled Simeon The Second National Movement. The ex-monarch evidently struck a chord with the Bulgarian people and, in June 2001, the Movement won a resounding victory at the National Assembly elections. The Movement for Simeon II (NMS) governed in alliance with the mainly ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). The old two-party mould that dominated Bulgarian politics throughout the 1990s has been fractured but not completely broken - the BSP's Georgi Parvanov won the presidential election in 2001.
The priorities of the government were much the same as those of their predecessors. Having successfully avoided significant involvement in the post-Yugoslavian imbroglio – a major worry for successive Bulgarian governments – the government concentrated upon a ‘national strategy’ of securing EU and NATO membership. The country became a NATO member in 2004. In April 2005, Bulgaria signed the Accession Treaty with the perspective to enter the EU in 2007. However, a substantial number of reforms were neccessary in order to meet the conditions.
The Socialist Party, led by Sergei Stanishev, won the latest election in summer 2005, but did not win enough seats to form a government on their own. The liberal NMS, which led the former coalition came second and the mostly ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) third. Mr Stanishev has said that EU membership is his government's top priority. He has also promised to intensify the campaign against corruption and organized crime.
Government
Legislative power is held by the 240-seat National Assembly, whose members are directly elected for maximum four-year terms by proportional representation. The Assembly elects a Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers assists the President of the Republic, who as head of state wields supreme executive power and who is also directly elected for a five-year term.
• GDP: US $23.74 billion (2004).
• Main Exports: Food stuffs, tobacco, wine, attar (oil) of roses, metals, chemicals, petrochemicals, electronics and machinery.
• Main Imports: Foodstuffs, fuel products, chemicals, machinery and textiles.
• Main trade partners: Russian Federation, Germany, Italy and Greece.
Economy
In general, Bulgaria has suffered the usual problems experienced by centrally planned economies adjusting to market conditions. Successive governments have followed the path taken by other former Communist governments, under which most of industry and agriculture was privatized, trade liberalized and reforms of the fiscal and banking systems instituted. However, some key privatizations (tobacco, telecoms, banking) have already - or are - experiencing difficulties, possibly threatening the stability of the government. The value of the Bulgarian Lev was fixed to the Deutschmark by the currency control board created in 1997; it is now linked to the Euro. The economy grew at a healthy 4.3 per cent in 2004; inflation has been brought down to single figures. In 1990, Bulgaria joined the IMF, which has had a major influence on the country’s economic policy, along with the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Bulgaria has applied to become a full member of the EU and expects to join in 2007.Special interest tours
Most towns and cities have a national history and ethnographic museum. Visits to the old museum towns and ancient monasteries provide an excellent opportunity to experience Bulgaria’s rich historical and cultural traditions; some museum towns, such as Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv, offer painting and photography courses.
Wintersports
Bulgaria is a fast-growing skiing destination and the country’s three major ski resorts have been improved in recent years. Snowfall is consistently heavy from December until April. The ski areas may not be as extensive as the Alps, but for novice and intermediate skiing, Bulgaria offers excellent conditions. Off-piste skiing is good and cross-country skiing is becoming increasingly popular, with many trails leading through pine forests. (For details of the main ski resorts and facilities, see Winter Resorts in the Where to Go section.)
Watersports
The Black Sea coast has over 370km (232 miles) of coastline with sandy beaches. Owing to its low salt content, it is ideal for swimming. A wide range of watersports, including water-skiing, sailing and surfing are available. Whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking are possible on the Rivers Arda, Ossam, Stackevska and Struma during springtime. The quieter waters of the Danube are particularly suitable for canoeing and kayaking.
Hiking
There are over 35,000km (21,749 miles) of waymarked paths in Bulgaria. One- or two-week trips through the wild mountains can be arranged. Guides are provided and accommodation is usually in mountain chalets, guest houses or camps. (See also National Parks in the Where to Go section.)
Outdoor pursuits
Organized mountaineering and climbing trips can be arranged by specialized companies in the areas of Vratsa, Veliko Tarnovo, Trojan, Maliovitza and Roussenski Lom. The steep rocks of the Pirin, Rhodope, Rila and Stara Planina are popular with expert climbers. Bulgaria has twice hosted the orienteering World Championships and a national orienteering cup takes place annually on the Shoumensko Plateau. Numerous companies also offer organized caving trips to the country’s numerous caves and spectacular subterranean rock formations (many of which have ancient cave paintings). Horse riding has traditionally been popular in Bulgaria and there is a choice of one- or two-week tours available; possible itineraries include the Danube Valley, the Balkan, Rila and Stara Planina mountains and the Valley of Roses. It is also possible to travel the country by horse and cart. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Rhodope mountains provide excellent trails, while cycling along the Black Sea coast is a popular family activity.
There are also generally good facilities for tennis and mini-golf in the major resorts.
Cruises
Luxury cruises along the Danube sailing through seven countries in two air-conditioned river liners, each accommodating 236 passengers, is available. This interesting tour includes transit to Passau or Vienna, to begin either a two- or three-week cruise to Rousse in eastern Bulgaria, with excursions at all points of call. Afterwards, there is a choice of touring Bulgaria by coach, or staying on the Black Sea Riviera, or at a mountain resort inland. The return trip home is by air.
Health spas
Bulgaria has many mineral water spas and increasing interest is being shown in spa holidays. There are over 500 springs.
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Useful Facts and Travel Tips
Bulgaria (Bulgarian Tourist Sites and things to do, Historical overview)Czech Republic (Prague Sites listed in UNESCO, Prague embassies and consulates list, Places recommended to visit and things to do)
Russia (Russian tourist attractions, Brief history of Russia)