1 .Only here in Bulgaria people are saying “yes” by shaking their heads rather than nodding which is used to express disapproval. Weird, huh?
2. Bulgaria produced about 70% of the world’s rose oil. It is used for cosmetic products, soaps, shampoos, etc. The Bulgarian Rose Valley is the home of the exquisite Bulgarian rose oil, also known as ‘attar of roses’ or ‘rose otto’, and world center for rose otto production. Good job, huh?
3. The highest mountain in the Balkan Peninsula is in Bulgaria — The Rila Mountain with its highest peak Musala (2,925 m). In Rila are situated the most beautiful group of lakes — The 7 Rila Lakes. Also, there are more than 40 mountains in Bulgaria. Impressed already?
4. The latest data shows that Bulgaria is the second country with the highest number of natural mineral springs in Europe — just after Iceland. Bulgaria is perfect for SPA! Aand… Bradley Cooper approves!
5. The latest Eurostat data shows that the prices in Bulgaria are the lowest in European Union. Almost 50% lower than the average prices in the EU. What about that?
6. Bulgarian yogurt is the best in the world, no doubt about it. This is thanks to the unique Lactobacillus bulgaricus bacteria used for its production that can only be found on the territory of the country.
7. Bulgarian song is flying in open space together with Bach’s and Mozart’s greatest works. In 1977 when the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes left the Earth the folk song “Izlel e Delio Haydutin” performed by Valya Balkanska was on board! Listen the song here. Yeah, that’s right…
8. The oldest golden treasure in the world is found in Bulgaria — The gold treasure discovered in the Varna Necropolis dates back to 5000 BC.
9. The Cyrillic alphabet was invented in the 9th century AD by none other than the two most famous Bulgarian monks ever to have lived — Cyril and Methodius. Now almost everything here is named after the two saints — schools, libraries, streets. We honor Saints Cyril and Methodius every 24 May — a.k.a. “The day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavic Literature”. It is the basis of alphabets used in various languages, past and present, in parts of the Balkans and Northern Eurasia, especially those of Slavic origin.
10. Bulgarians invented the first electronic computer, digital watch and car air bag. John Atanasoff is the scientist of Bulgarian descent who designed and developed the first electronic digital computer device together with Clifford Berry.
