Bulgaria - an ancient land, history, Cycling Bulgaria Bulgaria - an ancient land As a state established by khan Asparoukh, Bulgaria has been existing for more than 13 centuries. Thracians were the first settlers in the Bulgarian lands and their civilisation is evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds, uncovered tombs, discovered gold and silver treasures. Testimonies for the presence of life in the pre-historic ages have been preserved in the best-preserved Neolithic housings discovered world-wide - namely those off the town of Stara Zagora, in the "Bacho Kiro" cave off the town of Dryanovo and in the Magurata cave - close to the town of Belogradchik. The first written reference where the name "Bulgarians" is to be found is included in an anonymous Roman chronograph of 452 AD. Read more...   Geography and nature of Bulgaria, Cycling Bulgaria Location Situated in southeastern Europe, Bulgaria occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the North, via the Danube River, it borders on Romania, to the West - on Serbia and Montenegro and on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. To the South its neighbours are Greece and Turkey. To the East Bulgaria touches the Black Sea, which links it also to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. The Black Sea borderline is 378 km (240 miles) long. The country's total territory is 111 000 sq. km (43 000 sq. miles). Read more...   Cycling Bulgaria - general information about Bulgaria General information Coordinates: N: 41°14'05" / 44°12'15"; E: 22°21'40" / 28°36'35" Boundaries: N - Romania; E - Black Sea (coastline 378 km.); W - Yugoslavia, Macedonia; S - Greece, Turkey; Territory: 110,993,6 sq. km Population: 7 801 273 (2003) Capital: Sofia (1 182 698 people in 1992) Official language: Bulgarian Read more...