Bulgaria is a Fast Growing Travel Destination in 2004, Jan 12, 2004

Washington post (January 5, 2004) announced that Bulgaria has become the most fashionable destination in Europe. It was also the fourth in the world concerning tourism development rate, immediately after Athens (because of the Olympic Games), Bahamas and Botswana. The Times newspaper (January 3, 2004) ranged Bulgaria among the 2004 tourist top-destinations in the set of Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Croatia. Yesterday Jaime Ruiz, the Executive Director of the European Tourism Commission (ETC) stated during the Third International Conference on Tourism "Bulgaria Dream Area" (held in Sofia) that Bulgaria was the fastest growing tourist destination for the year 2003.

LAND AND RESOURCES 

Bulgaria is divided into four major geographic regions. The most northerly is the plateau of the Danube, which rises from the shore of the Danube River to the foothills of the east. Its climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. The Balkan Mountains (or "Old Mountains" to the Bulgarians) are the second region. They are highest in the western part of the country and gradually diminish as they extend across the country to the Black Sea. These mountains serve to block the cold winds blowing from the plains of Russia, and the region to the south, the valley drained by the Maritsa River, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. Finally, south of the Maritsa River valley are the Rhodope Mountains, highest in the Balkan Peninsula, which form the border between Bulgaria and Greece. 

The Danube Plateau and the Thracian Valley are important agricultural regions. The former produces wheat, corn, sugar, beets, and sunflowers. The Thracian Valley grows tobacco and contains the famous Valley of Roses, devoted to the production of attar of roses, a vital ingredient in the making of perfume. 

The most important natural resources that Bulgaria possesses are the fertility of its land, which is the basis of the country's agricultural economy, and the beauty of its landscape, which has allowed an important tourist industry to develop, particularly along the Black Sea coast and in the mountains. 

Agriculture 

About half of Bulgaria's land area is suitable for agriculture. The country's chief crops are wheat, corn, other grains, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, roses, fruits and vegetables, and tobacco. Bulgarian fruits and vegetables are exported to many countries in Europe, and much of what is called "Turkish" tobacco actually comes from southern Bulgaria. Bulgarian wines have become popular in many countries in the world.