Area
110,994 sq. km. (42,885 sq. miles)
Location
Southeastern Europe
Population
7.8 million (as per estimates of 2005) and Population Density of 70.7 per sq. km.
Capital City
Sofia with a total population of 1.2 million (as per estimates of 2005).
Language
Bulgarian is the official and most popular language in the country. Cyrillic alphabet is used in Bulgaria. The minority languages include Turkish and Macedonian. Locals at the tourist hotspots largely understand and speak English German, French, and Russian.
Electricity
AC 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin European plugs are commonly used.
Currency
Lev (BGN). 1 Lev = 100 Stotinki
Notes prevalent = BGN 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
Coins prevalent = Stotinki 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50.
Currency Exchange
Currency Exchange facility is available at major banks and hotels. While exchanging the currency, you’ll be given a bordereaux receipt indicating the amount of currency exchanged, which should be kept until departure. Travellers should avoid black market for exchanging currency. Even dealing with bureaux de change, the travellers should be cautious because there’ve been numerous cases of frauds in the bureaux. The foreign currency should not be torn, mutilated or too dirty, as banks, hotels, or stores usually do not accept such currency. For more details and exchange rates, travellers are advised to consult their banks.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit/Debit/ATM Cards prevalent = All major cards, like American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa, accepted in large cities (mostly Sofia), hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, most people still prefer cash to credit cards. ATMs are located at convenient places throughout the country.
Traveller's Cheques
Travellers Cheques are also accepted at major hotels and restaurants in Bulgaria. The travellers are advised to carry travellers’ cheques in major currencies, like US Dollars, or Pounds Sterling, in order to avoid additional exchange rate charges.
Banking Hours
Banks in Bulgaria function from Monday to Friday from 0900-1600.