Geography and Natural Resources of Bulgaria

Landscapes and Waterways

Bulgaria is a country with a lot of mountains, plains, and rivers. On one side of the rectangular-shaped Bulgaria, there is a coast along the Black Sea. The varied landscapes and the sea have made the country good for farming, raising animals, and forestry. Important crops include cereals, grapes, potatoes, silkworms, roses, and tobacco.

Geographical Information

Area: 42,785 square miles
Latitude and Longitude: 44°12’50” to 41°14’12” N, 22°21’35” to 23°36’37’’ E
Population (1956 census): 7,613,709
Population (1962 preliminary data): 8,046,000
Population Density (1956): 179 people per square mile
Major Cities

The largest cities in Bulgaria are Sofia City Tour Istanbul, Plovdiv, Varna, Russe, and Burgas, according to the 1956 census.

Population Changes

In 1946, 74% of the population lived in rural areas, and 26% in urban areas. By 1956, this had shifted to 65% in rural areas and 35% in urban areas.

Ethnic Diversity

1984:
Bulgarians (Slavs): 86.8%
Turks: 10.2%
Gypsies: 1.3%
Jews: 0.5%
Others: 1.2%
1952:
Bulgarians (Slavs): 91%
Turks: 6%
Gypsies: 2%
Jews: 0.04%
Others: 0.96%
Languages and Minorities

The main language is Bulgarian (Slavonic). Turkish is spoken by the Turkish minority, and Old Spanish is spoken by the Jewish minority, among other languages. The numbers of the Turkish and Jewish minority groups have decreased under the Communist regime due to emigration.

Religion

The exact percentage of religious followers is not available due to the Communist regime’s stance against religion. Despite discouraging religious practices, the regime uses the church for propaganda. The majority of the population is considered Greek Orthodox, with Islam as the second-largest religion. There are also small percentages of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and others.

Mining and Natural Resources

Coal (1962): 20,800,000 tons
Iron (1962): 628,000 tons
Copper (1962): 93,000 tons
Lead and Zinc (1956): 1,500,000 tons
Oil (1961): 207,000 tons
Bulgaria has rich mineral resources, including coal, iron, copper, lead, zinc, and oil. Varna, near the Black Sea, and the Pleven district are significant locations for mineral deposits, particularly crude oil discovered in 1962. The country also boasts around 400 mineral springs, with famous ones like the baths of Hisara, Merichleri, and Separevo.

Geography and Natural Resources of Bulgaria

Landscapes and Waterways

Bulgaria is a country with a lot of mountains, plains, and rivers. On one side of the rectangular-shaped Bulgaria, there is a coast along the Black Sea. The varied landscapes and the sea have made the country good for farming, raising animals, and forestry. Important crops include cereals, grapes, potatoes, silkworms, roses, and tobacco.

Geographical Information

Area: 42,785 square miles
Latitude and Longitude: 44°12’50” to 41°14’12” N, 22°21’35” to 23°36’37’’ E
Population (1956 census): 7,613,709
Population (1962 preliminary data): 8,046,000
Population Density (1956): 179 people per square mile
Major Cities

The largest cities in Bulgaria are Sofia City Tour Istanbul, Plovdiv, Varna, Russe, and Burgas, according to the 1956 census.

Population Changes

In 1946, 74% of the population lived in rural areas, and 26% in urban areas. By 1956, this had shifted to 65% in rural areas and 35% in urban areas.

Ethnic Diversity

1984:
Bulgarians (Slavs): 86.8%
Turks: 10.2%
Gypsies: 1.3%
Jews: 0.5%
Others: 1.2%
1952:
Bulgarians (Slavs): 91%
Turks: 6%
Gypsies: 2%
Jews: 0.04%
Others: 0.96%
Languages and Minorities

The main language is Bulgarian (Slavonic). Turkish is spoken by the Turkish minority, and Old Spanish is spoken by the Jewish minority, among other languages. The numbers of the Turkish and Jewish minority groups have decreased under the Communist regime due to emigration.

Religion

The exact percentage of religious followers is not available due to the Communist regime’s stance against religion. Despite discouraging religious practices, the regime uses the church for propaganda. The majority of the population is considered Greek Orthodox, with Islam as the second-largest religion. There are also small percentages of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and others.

Mining and Natural Resources

Coal (1962): 20,800,000 tons
Iron (1962): 628,000 tons
Copper (1962): 93,000 tons
Lead and Zinc (1956): 1,500,000 tons
Oil (1961): 207,000 tons
Bulgaria has rich mineral resources, including coal, iron, copper, lead, zinc, and oil. Varna, near the Black Sea, and the Pleven district are significant locations for mineral deposits, particularly crude oil discovered in 1962. The country also boasts around 400 mineral springs, with famous ones like the baths of Hisara, Merichleri, and Separevo.