Burgas Province is located in the southeastern corner of Bulgaria on the shores of the Black Sea. It stands as the largest among Bulgaria's 28 regions, encompassing 7,748 square kilometers, accounting for 7.0% of the country's total land area. Burgas Province shares its borders with the Varna, Shumen, Yambol, and Sliven regions, while its eastern boundary meets the Black Sea. To the south, it shares a border with the Republic of Turkey.[2] Historically, the Burgas area has been inhabited since ancient times, with the earliest signs of human presence dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age.[1] Thus, the province features several historical and cultural landmarks that tend to be visited by tourists. One of them is the town of Nessebar, which has been protected by UNESCO as a museum town, archaeological site, and architectural reserve since 1956.[9] Burgas features a variety of landscapes, housing the Eastern Balkan mountain range, the Bourgas Lowlands, and the Strandja mountain.[2] In the southern part of the Burgas Province stretches the Strandja Nature Park, protecting a variety of plant and animal species. Additionally, it serves as a hiking spot due to the various trails in the vicinity.[10] Moreover, local coastal areas represent another touristic destination for people seeking water recreation and vacation spots. One such holiday area is Sunny Beach, reportedly one of Bulgaria's most extensive tourist destinations.[8]
Burgas Province, due to its position on the shores of the Black Sea, is one of the holiday destinations for European and international tourists during the summer. People visiting the area can enjoy sand beaches, the sea, and a variety of water recreation. Among the visited areas for summer vacationing is Sunny Beach, initially established in 1958 as a weekend retreat for Bulgarian families. Over the years, it has evolved into the country's largest tourist destination. It contributes significantly to the local economy and offers a wide range of recreational activities, gambling options, sports, and music venues. Additionally, there are two water parks near the resort, with plans for a third near Kosharitca. Sunny Beach hosts various events, including the Decade of Symphonic Music, as part of the International Folklore Festival, fashion shows, and beach competitions.[8]
People visiting Sunny Beach tend to venture to Nessebar, situated to the south. The city holds a rich historical legacy as a strategic trading city and a member of the ancient Delian League. The city's architecture—displaying various periods from the Middle Ages to the Byzantine Empire—portrays the Balkan region's evolving architectural styles. Nessebar played a pioneering role in the development of currency, producing some of the world's earliest coins in the 5th and 3rd centuries BC. Today, the city hosts numerous festivals and events. Additionally, Nessebar houses several churches, including the Church of St. Sofia, Church of Virgin Eleusa, Church of St. John the Baptist, and Church of St. Stephen, each with distinct architectural and historical significance. Recognized as a cultural treasure, Nessebar was designated a museum town, archaeological site, and architectural reserve in 1956 and earned a spot on the World Heritage List in 1983. The Old Town is presently a destination for walks amid its narrow, cobbled streets and boutiques that sell handmade goods.[9]
People who prefer to visit forests and mountains might be interested in Strandja. Designated as a Nature Park in 1995, Strandja stands as Bulgaria's largest protected area, covering 116,136 hectares and encompassing five nature reserves: Vitanovo, Uzunbodzhak, Sredoka, Tisovitsa, and Silkosiya, the oldest in Bulgaria dating back to 1933.
The park offers hiking trails with the possibility of coastal or river walks. Most trails pass through villages and take up to eight hours to complete. The "Marina River eco-trail" might be of preference for botany enthusiasts, introducing its visitors to Strandja's tree species, namely the Strandzha Pontic Rhododendron. Other trails include the "Bulgarian Colchis eco trail," "Veleka River eco trail," and "Fire-dancers in Strandzha eco trail," suitable for mountain biking or horseback riding. Apart from hiking, the nature area hosts festivals, including the ancient fire-dancing ritual practiced on June 3rd and 4th in the village of Balgari. This night celebrates Saints Konstantin and Elena, with Nestinari dancers performing on burning coals. Another event is the Festival of Pontic Rhododendron in early May, featuring local cuisine, folklore music, workshops, and hikes, among other undertakings.[10]
Burgas Province showcases diverse topography, encompassing sections of the Eastern Balkan mountain range, the Bourgas Lowlands, and the Strandja mountain. Several short rivers, including Luda Kamchiya, Hadjiyska, Russocastrenska, Veleka, Ropotamo, and the border river Resovska, flow into the Black Sea. Numerous lakes dot the landscape, such as Pomoriysko, Mandrensko, Atanasovsko, and Bourgas lakes. The region's known mineral resources encompass brown coal, copper, polymetallic ores, Balgarite, and marble.
In the southern part of the area, as well as within the Balkan mountain range, extensive forests with preserved deciduous trees can be found.[2]
In the southern part of the province is found the Strandja Nature Park, encompassing Strandja Mountain, home to Silkosiya, Bulgaria's first nature reserve.[2] In general, Strandja Nature Park's vegetation showcases European biodiversity in the broad-leaved deciduous forests of temperate climates. Rhododendron Ponticum, a rare species preserved mainly in Strandja, forms evergreen undergrowth beneath Fagus orientalis mesophilic forests. The Strandja forests, covering 75% of the park, are tertiary relics spared from Quaternary glaciations due to mild winters, high rainfall, and isolation. Strandja features a distinctive process called inversion, where rhododendron-underlain beech forests spread onto valley slopes while oak forests extend above. The park also houses Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean ecosystems and xerothermic grasslands along the coast.[5] Concerning local animal species, Strandja Nature Park houses 164 invertebrate species of conservational importance, including 16 listed in the World Red Data Book and 10 in the European Red Data Book. With 404 vertebrate species, it reportedly ranks among Europe's richest. The park's fishing resources are exceptional, with 41 freshwater and passage fish species inland and 70 coastal species. Twenty-four of the local reptile species represent seventy percent of Bulgaria's herpetofauna. Additionally, there's a variety of bird species and 66 mammal species, which include otters and wild cats.[6]
The climate of Burgas Province exhibits transitional continental characteristics influenced by the nearby sea.[2] August is generally the warmest month, as average temperatures reach 29°C. With an average of 8°C, January is the coldest month of the year in Burgas Province. Most precipitation falls during October, which receives 66 millimeters of rainfall.[7]
In antiquity, Thracian tribes occupied the Burgas region, while during the 5th and 6th centuries BC, Greek colonists established various settlements such as Apollonia and Mesembria. The Romans later constructed the Debeltum Fortress in the area. Nessebar, along with other locations, houses the preservation of numerous medieval churches standing to this day.[2]
During the Middle Ages, the Burgas area witnessed the passage of tribes such as the Goths, Huns, Avars, and Slavs from the 4th to the 7th century. This led to the decline of Roman settlements west of the Black Sea, leaving behind urban centers, including Mesambria, Anhialo, Sozopol, and Debelt.
Byzantine efforts to halt the invading tribes included the construction of fortresses and walls along the East Balkan Mountains. Bulgarian rule over the area was established under Tsar Theodore Svetoslav, but control oscillated between Byzantium and Bulgaria until the late 14th century. Excavations in various locations, including Foros Peninsula and Rusokastro, provide insights into this historical period.[3]
In terms of Burgas city history, it was established in the 17th century on the former medieval Pyrgos site. Burgas, originally a fishing village, saw growth after Bulgaria gained independence in 1878. Its development was further propelled by introducing a railway from Sofia in 1890 and harbor enhancements in 1904. Today, Burgas reportedly competes with Varna as Bulgaria's primary port, handling a considerable portion of the country's Black Sea trade and fish catch, along with the nearby port of Sozopol. The city's economic activities include food processing (flour, sugar, and fish), engineering, and oil refining, with local mining of copper, lignite, and salt. Together with Nesebŭr, Pomorie, and Sozopol, Burgas contributes to the Black Sea Riviera.[4]
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