Burgas
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| Province (oblast) | Burgas |
|---|---|
| Population | 205,821 (2006-15-09) |
| Altitude | 30 m |
| Postal code | 8000 |
| Area code | 056 |
| Geographic coordinates | 42° 30' north, 27° 28' east |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer) |
| Mayor | Yoan Kostadinov |
Burgas (also transliterated as Bourgas; Bulgarian: Бургас, Greek: Πύργος) is the second-largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. It is also the fourth-largest by population in the country, after Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. It is the capital of Burgas Province and an industrial and tourist centre. The Burgas Lakes are located around the city.
Burgas International Airport is a connecting point to major Black Sea resorts in Bulgaria such as Sunny Beach, Nesebar, Sozopol, Dyuni, Elenite.
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History
Bourgas is a successor of the Greek city of Pirgos (Πύργος), founded by colonists from Apolonia as a military and observational post against the other important settlement in the region – Mesembria.
Besides Pirgos, the present-day city expands over the area of three other ancient settlements: Kastiacion, Skafida and Rossokastron.
In the Middle Ages, a small fortress called Pirgos (Πύργος being Greek for "tower") was erected on the place and was most probably used as a watchtower. It was only in the 17th century that a settlement named Ahelo-Pirgas grew in the modern area of the city. It was later renamed to Bourgas and had only about 3,000 inhabitants, most of them Greeks at the time of the Liberation.
Soon it became a major centre on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and a city of well-developed industry and trade. A number of oil and chemical companies were gradually built. Salt and iron are also mined and traded abroad.
In 1903, the railway station in Burgas opened, giving an additional boost to the city's expansion. Burgas, unlike many other Bulgarian cities, was not much affected by Communist-type urbanization and has kept many of its 19th and early 20th century architecture.
Modern City
Today the local port is the largest in Bulgaria adding significantly to the regional economy. Burgas also holds annual national exhibitions and international festivals and has a vibrant student population of over 6,000 that add to the city’s appeal.
Institutions of higher education
Major Attractions
- District Museum of History, Burgas
- Ethnographic Museum, Burgas
- Museum of Nature and Science, Burgas
- Art Gallery, Burgas
- Opera House, Burgas
- International Folklore Festival, Burgas
See also
External links
- Bourgas city directory - Bourgas city directory
- Airport Burgas - Burgas International Airport
- Photos from Burgas
- Pictures of Burgas
- Burgas City Official Website
- Burgas Regional Administration
- Port of Burgas Website
- Burgas Bulgaria - Travel Guide
- Internet radio HitNet
- City Art Gallery
- District Bourags - Guide to cities, villages and resorts
- Burgas information
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| Aytos | Asenovgrad | Blagoevgrad | Botevgrad | Burgas | Dimitrovgrad | Dobrich | Dupnitsa | Gabrovo | Gorna Oryahovitsa | Gotse Delchev | Harmanli | Haskovo | Karlovo | Karnobat | Kazanlak | Kardzhali | Kyustendil | Lom | Lovech | Montana | Nova Zagora | Panagyurishte | Pazardzhik | Pernik | Petrich | Pleven | Plovdiv | Razgrad | Rousse | Samokov | Sandanski | Sevlievo | Shumen | Silistra | Sliven | Smolyan | Sofia | Stara Zagora | Svishtov | Targovishte | Troyan | Varna | Veliko Tarnovo | Velingrad | Vidin | Vratsa | Yambol |
| edit | Municipalities of Burgas Province |  |
|---|---|---|
Aitos | Burgas | Sredets | Kameno | Karnobat | Malko Tarnovo | Tsarevo | Nesebar | Pomorie | Ruen | Sozopol | Sungurlare | Primorsko | ||
Categories
Cities and towns in Bulgaria | Coastal cities | Bulgarian Black Sea Coast | Ancient Greek sites in Bulgaria | Burgas Province | Ancient Greek cities | Port cities