Bulgaria has many regions, which have preserved in their natural state unique natural nooks preserving a remarkable bio-diversity. Contemporary natural vegetation demonstrates considerable ecological diversity. 12,360 species have been found in its composition, of which 3,700 are higher plants. The Bulgarian endemic plants, which are to be found nowhere else in the world, number more than 250: Rila primrose, Balkan violet, Bulgarian blackberry, Rhodopean tulip etc. Forests abound with wild fruits, briars, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and mushrooms, all of them of proven flavour and of qualities that strengthen the body. There is also a great diversity of herbs and healing plants.
Bulgaria’s fauna numbers some 13,000 species, which is 14% of the total number of registered animal species in Europe. Rare mammal species are to be found in this country. Pelicans, stags, deer, does, wild goats, quails, pheasants etc. inhabit reserves and hunting grounds.
A network of 3 national parks; Rila, Pirin, and the Central Balkan have been set up with a total area of 221,252.2 hectares, 9 natural parks with over 180,000 hectares and reserves, as well as 2,234 protected territories and natural landmarks. Two of them, Pirin National Park and Sreburna biosphere reserves have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Together with 16 further biosphere reserves they offer wonderful conditions for photo-hunting, scientific and cognitive tourism and hobby tourism.
Mineral Springs
Bulgaria has some 500 deposits of mineral waters with over 1,600 water sources. These are localised chiefly at the mountain foothills. The spa resorts of national significance are Bankya
, Velingrad, Sandanski
, the mineral baths of Stara Zagora, Narechen, Sliven and Haskovo, as well as Kyustendil, Varshets, Pavel Banya, Hissarya, Merichleri, Momin Prohod, and Kostenets. Climatic seaside resorts offering various recreation services are Albena, Balchik, Bourgas, Varna, Zlatni Pyassatzi /Golden Sands/, Kiten, Pomorie, Primorsko, Nessebar Slantchev Bryag /Sunny Beach/ and Sozopol. Picturesque lakes hide in the folds of the Rila
and Pirin
mountain ranges. Reservoirs of recreational potential are to be found in the Rhodope Mountains; namely Batak, Vatcha, Studen Kladenets, at the foot of the Balkan Range, Ticha, as well as in some other places. There are good prerequisites for the development of adventure tourism: wild water rafting and canoeing, diving, delta and para gliding in the river valleys of Vatcha, Iskar, Chepelarska, Struma, and Mesta rivers.
