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Nature Bulgaria’s nature avails exceptional capacities to diversification of the Bulgarian tourist product and new types of tourism. The network set up of 3 national and 11 natural parks, 89 reserves and 2,234 natural landmarks preconditions various types of specialised tourism.  ReliefBulgaria possesses a variety of natural forms, located in the range of altitude from 0 to 2,925 m. Its territory includes part of the lower Danube Plain, The Balkan Range part of the Alpine-and-Himalayan chain, part of the Thracian lowland and to the south the mountain structures of the Macedonian-Thracian massif. The best-known mountain ranges are Rila (highest peak Mussala 2,925 m.), Pirin (Vihren 2,914 m.), Stara Planina or the Balkan range (Botev Peak 2,376 m.), and the Rhodopes (Golyam Perelik- 2,191 m.) as well as Mount Vitosha (Cherni Vrah 2,291 m.) The mountains occupy half of this country's territory, with the high-mountain relief i.e. an altitude above 1,600 m, comprising 5 % of its entire area. The Bulgarian mountains are easily accessible and the presence of towns and villages in them that have preserved the authentic Bulgarian spirit and hospitality, gives a chance for receiving and accommodating tourists at village houses. Water  The rivers rise mainly in the highest mountains and flow into the Black Sea and into the Aegean Sea. Bulgaria has 526 rivers longer than 2.3 km. The only navigable river is the Danube, which lies along the North Bulgarian border. There are good prerequisites for the development of adventure tourism: wild waters – rafting and canoe, diving, hanggliding and paragliding in the river valleys of Vatcha, Iskar, Chepelarska, Struma, and Mesta rivers. The longest rivers on Bulgaria's territory: Iskar (368 km), Toundga (349.5 km), Maritsa (321.6 km), Osum (341 km), Struma (290 km), Yantra (285.5 km), Kamchiya (244.5 km), Arda (241.3 km), Luda Kamchiya (200.9 km) and Russenski Lom (196.9 km). There are about 330 natural lakes; the largest are the Black Sea lakes (Alepou, Arkoutino, Pomorie, Beloslav, Bourgas, Varna and the Shabla lakes), the most numerous (over 260) are the high-mountain glacial lakes in the Rila and Pirin mountain ranges. Dams have been built as a part of waterpower systems – Iskar, Arda, Batak Water Power System, Belmeken-Sestrimo, Dospat-Vucha, and a great number of smaller dams. Mineral Springs Bulgaria has some 500 deposits of mineral waters with over 1,600 water sources. These are localised chiefly at the mountain foothills. The spa resorts of national significance are Bankya, Velingrad, Sandanski, the mineral baths of Stara Zagora, Narechen, Sliven and Haskovo, as well as Kyustendil, Varshets, Pavel Banya, Hissarya, Merichleri, Momin Prohod, and Kostenets. Climatic sea-side resorts offering various recreation services are Albena, Balchik, Bourgas, Varna (Zlatni Pyassatzi – Golden Sands), Kiten, Pomorie, Primorsko, Nessebur (Slantchev Bryag – Sunny Beach) and Sozopol. Picturesque lakes hide in the folds of the Rila and Pirin mountain ranges. Reservoirs of recreational potential are to be found in the Rhodope Mountains – namely Batak, Vatcha, Studen Kladenets, at the foot of the Balkan Range – Ticha, as well as in some other places. There are good prerequisites for the development of adventure tourism: wild waters– rafting and canoe, diving, delta and para glidting in the river valleys of Vatcha, Iskar, Chepelarska, Struma, and Mesta rivers. Flora and Fauna Bulgaria is a land of roses, orchards laden with fruit and vines grown since the settlement of the ancient Thracians. Favourable climatic conditions and variety of relief are factors that account for the diversity of vegetation. The overall number of plant species is approximately 12 400. Forests prevail, taking up nearly 27 % of the territory of the country. In the deciduous forests one can find oak, beech, yoke-elm and in the coniferous - white and black pine, spruce and fir trees. Grass communities cover 14 % of the territory of the country. The mountains in Bulgaria are rich in endemic plants. Some of these are unique for Bulgaria (270 species), others - for the Balkan Peninsula (285 species). Quite a number of relict plants and communities can be observed. In comparison with most of the European countries the animal world of Bulgaria is much more varied, irrespective of the small territory. Plane regions are the richest in animal species. Along with heat-loving species inhabiting the lowlands in the southernmost part of the country, cold-loving species also can be found in the high parts of mountains. Swallows are observed almost everywhere, storks usually nest close to or in towns and villages, squirrels are numerous and can be met even in parks. All over the country there are foxes, hedgehogs, weasels, polecats, bats. Land tortoises inhabit the lowlands, wild cats and wild-boars - almost all mountains. Though rarely, otters can be found along rivers and water basins. In the planes of Northern Bulgaria one can find hares, partridges, quails, wolves, hamsters, crows, rooks, etc., and in the swamps along the Danube - wading birds such as pelican, ibis, heron, duck, and others, some of which nest nowhere else but in the Sreburna Reserve. Stara Planina Mountains is rich in birds and insects, oak woods abound in red deer, roe, badger. The valleys of Struma and Mesta rivers are characteristic habitats of a large number of heat-loving animals - reptiles, birds and insects. The bears, the woodpeckers, the vipers are typical of the coniferous forests in Rila, Pirin and the Rhodope mountains, on rocks and serees one would encounter wild goats, eagles and vultures. The highest mountain regions register the largest number of endemic species. The Black Sea Coast abounds in birds (aquatic for the most part) - pink pelican, ducks, cormorant, gulls, etc. Jackals inhabit the eastern ridges of Strandzha. |
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