Bulgaria (България) sits in southeast Europe on the shores of the Black Sea, covering about 42,810 square miles (110,879 km²). The Balkan Mountains run across the middle of the country, the Rila and Pirin ranges rise in the southwest, and the east opens onto about 235 miles (378 km) of sandy Black Sea coast.
Its most famous natural landmark is the Seven Rila Lakes, a staircase of glacial lakes high in the mountains. Nearby, Musala, at about 9,596 feet (2,925 m), is the highest peak in the Balkans, and Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shelters ancient pines, including one thought to be around 1,300 years old. The lion is the national symbol.
Brown bears, wolves and chamois roam the mountain forests, while Srebarna Lake on the Danube is home to a breeding colony of rare Dalmatian pelicans. Each fall, huge flocks of white storks and birds of prey funnel along the Black Sea coast near Burgas on one of Europe's busiest bird migration routes.
Did You Know? Bulgaria's Rose Valley produces a large share of the world's rose oil for perfumes, and it takes several tons of hand-picked petals to make just 2 pounds (1 kg) of oil.
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