Location and Borders
Bulgaria is situated to the east of the Black Sea and to the south of the Danube River, acting as a natural border with Romania to the north. Its western border connects with Yugoslavia, and in the south, the geographical features of Greece and Turkey separate Bulgaria from the Aegean Sea. This region, known as the Balkan Peninsula, serves as a crucial link connecting southeastern Europe to Asia Minor.
Geography and Size
Geographically, present-day Bulgaria resembles a rectangular shape with somewhat wavy and irregular borders. Its location is approximately similar to the latitude of New York state in the western hemisphere, and its size is comparable to that of the state of Tennessee.
Major Cities and Ports
The capital city, Sofia, is centrally located near the Yugoslav border. Plovdiv, the second-largest city, is situated on the Thracian Plain between the Balkan and Rhodope Mountains. Varna, the primary seaport, is on the Black Sea, along with Burgas to the south City Tour Istanbul. Other significant cities include Tirnovo, Gabrovo, and Pleven in the north on the Danubian Plain, while Russe serves as a major river port on the Danube, west of the disputed region of Dobrudja.
Land Features
The Balkan Mountain Chain, also known as Stara Planina, acts as a dividing line between northern and southern Bulgaria. Above the Balkans lies the Danubian plain, with several rivers draining north into the Danube basin. Mt. Musala, the highest peak in the Balkan Peninsula, stands at 8,683 feet, located below the Balkans. The Pita Mountains give rise to three major rivers within Bulgaria’s borders: the Iskar, Maritsa, and Mesta, with Maritsa being the largest. Additionally, the Struma is another significant inland river in the southwest.
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