Administrative division
Bulgaria is divided into 28 provinces and 265 municipalities. Each province bears the name of its main city. The exception is Sofia, which has two: Sofia City Province and Sofia Province.
The big cities
- Sofia – the capital, with about 1.2 million people. The city is surrounded by mountains and has a metro and mineral springs.
- Plovdiv – the second largest, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. European Capital of Culture in 2019.
- Varna – the maritime capital.
- Burgas – the southern port and the city with the nicest sea garden (people from Varna will disagree).
- Ruse – the “Little Vienna” of the Danube, with incredible architecture from the late 19th century.
- Stara Zagora – the city of lime trees and poets.
- Veliko Tarnovo – the old capital, set like an amphitheatre above the Yantra.
The regions
- Northwest – the poorest region, but with incredible natural attractions: the Belogradchik Rocks, Magura Cave, Vidin.
- North Central – Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Ruse.
- Northeast – Varna, Shumen, Dobrudzha (the breadbasket).
- Southwest – Sofia, Rila, Pirin, Melnik.
- South Central – Plovdiv, the Rhodopes, Thrace.
- Southeast – Burgas, Stara Zagora, Strandzha.
Between us
In Gabrovo people are famous for being tight-fisted. The locals tell the jokes about themselves and even have a House of Humour and Satire. It is said that the cats there have their tails cut off so the door closes faster and the warmth doesn't escape. Honestly, that is not true. I think.