I am a little Bulgarian.
I love our green mountains.
It makes me so proud
to be called a Bulgarian.
- Ivan Vazov, (1850-1921), the "father" of Bulgarian literature
Bulgaria is divided into four major geographic regions: The Danube Plateau to the north, the Balkan Mountains (known to the Bulgarians as "Old Mountains") in the center, the Rila Mountains in the west and the Rhodope Mountains to the south. In most of Bulgaria, the climate is continental, which means there are hot summers and cold winters. The Balkan Mountains, however, block most of the cold winds that come from the Russian plains and the region in the south enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers.
Some of Bulgaria's greatest assets are the fertile soils, the natural beauty of the Black Sea coast and the mountains. The Danube Plateau is an important agricultural region which produces cereals, vegetables, sunflowers and grapes. Some of the famous Bulgarian wines are made here.