Evidence of ancient civilizations on the territory of Bulgaria have been found all over its lands. The f avorable climate, numerous caves, sheltered mountain valleys and gorgeous mountain s , fertile plains, large forest massifs full of wild animals and birds - all these things had provided perfect conditions of living for the people from the primitive age . Some of the most dens e ly populated regions from the antiquity up to the present are Stara Planina, Predbalkan and the Rhodope Mountains .
A typical characteristic of the settlements in these areas is that they are scattered in numerous neighbourhoods. Each opportunity for foundation of a settlement in the small convenient hollows and valleys was utilized, and when there was danger for the population, people used to move out high in the mountains. Remains from the primitive people are found in almost every cave suitable for dwelling. There are a many ruins of fortresses, road fortifications, necropolises and tumuli too.
The Black Sea coastal area was inhabited by Thracians, Greek colonists engaged mainly with fishing and trade. Coastal waters hide remains of many shipwrecks and sunken settlements.
Even nowadays people are searching for the treasures of Lizimach - one of the commanders of Alexander the Great, Khan Krum and Tsar Ivan Shishman. Several settlements claim to be the birthplace of the legendary chieftain of the slaves - Spartacus and some others of the unsurpassable musician Orpheus. You can hear legends of heroic battles, love and suffering in each town and these events became basis for designations of land areas , peaks, queer rocky formations, etc.
Bulgaria , located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeast Europe , is the most stable country in the region. The country has been spared the turmoil of unrest that most of its neighbours have experienced while on the road to establishing democracies. The population of Bulgaria is approximately 7.6 million. Bulgaria is a country blessed with great geographical divers ity . Three mountain ranges run through the country (Stara Planina-The Balkans, The Pirin and the Rhodopes) offering wonderful conditions for skiing in the winter. The Black Sea borders the country to the east, with 354 kilometres (218 miles) of coast line.
The climate on the coast is warm and dry in the summer, making Bulgarian Black Sea coasts a most favourite holiday destination for many Eastern Europeans during the past 35 years. In the 1980's, a lot of Western Europeans began to discover the Bulgarian coast as a holiday destination. The average temperature of the sea water along the south coast is 25 ° C (77 ° F) in July and August.
In 2001, a new government was elected by the people of Bulgaria , the NDSV, which is headed by the former Tsar of Bulgaria - Simeon II, exiled in Spain at the age of six. Under the NDSV government, Bulgaria has made great strides on the road to European integration. Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004, while December 2007 is the target date for integration into the European Union. In 1999, the Bulgarian currency - the lev was tied to the German mark and subsequently the Euro. This has helped the stabilization of the Bulgarian currency and improved the economic conditions in the country.
We at Bulgarian Real Estate Ltd. realise that many of you may not be that familiar with Bulgaria and wonder "Why would anybody want to invest here?" We have therefore decided to ask this question ourselves and the local agents in the real estate market.
The properties are relatively inexpensive in comparison to other holiday resort areas in Europe . Steady rise of property prices with an average of 20 % took place last year alone in Bulgaria , with higher escalation along the coastal areas and in the mountain regions.
Bulgaria has one of the least expensive costs of living in whole Europe and one can enjoy the advantage of great geographical diversity there - plenty of splendid "blue flag" sand beaches on the coast and ideal conditions for skiing in the mountains in the winter.
Bulgarian history dates back over seven millenniums so the country has a remarkable cultural heritage. The climate is perfectly pleasant, with some areas relishing over 300 sunny days per year. The Black Sea Coast averages over 1,700 hours of sun during the tourist season.
Bulgaria abounds in natural mineral springs and most nature products are organic. Much of the food is grown naturally, since commercial farming is not widespread in Bulgaria . Bulgaria also has the advantage of being close - it is located in Europe so naturally it is just 3 hours or even less away from the United Kingdom , Holland and Germany . Some companies offer charter flights directly to the coastal areas.
Bulgaria is stable - Bulgaria has undoubtedly been the most stable country in SE Europe . While surrounding countries have suffered through wars and civil unrest, Bulgaria has remained peaceful. Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and is set to join the EU in 2007. Bulgaria is financially stable - in 1999 the Bulgarian currency was tied to the German mark and subsequently the Euro, thus stabilising the currency and ensuring economic growth.
During the last few years the properties in Bulgaria have registered a great rise of the market prices. This is the fastest growing asset in our small, but beautiful country. They have grown with more than 25 % and in some regions even with 50 % for the last year, mostly in Sofia , Varna , Bourgas, in sea resorts like Sunny Beach , Albena and in ski resorts such as Pamporovo, Bansko, Borovetz. Property investment in nice resorts is expected to return an average of 10 %-15 % annually, before tax.
