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Burgas

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Burgas is a major city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria.

Burgas Bulgaria by Sentinel-2 20190831
Burgas Bulgaria by Sentinel-2 20190831

It sits at the westernmost point of the large Burgas Bay. The city is the fourth largest in Bulgaria, following Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna. About 210,396 people live in the city itself. If you count the whole urban area, the number rises to 226,092. It serves as a vital hub for culture, transport, and industry. The city is also the capital of the Burgas Province.

Nature plays a huge role in the life of the city. Burgas is surrounded by three large lakes: Burgas, Atanasovsko, and Mandrensko.

Lake-mandrensko-dinev
Lake-mandrensko-dinev

These lakes are part of a famous bird path called the Via Pontica. This path is the second largest migration route in Europe. Every year, up to 100,000 waterbirds gather here to rest. You might see many different species, including pelicans and storks. Some of these birds are very rare and protected globally.

Industry and travel make the city a very busy place. The Port of Burgas is the second largest port in the country.

Neftochim-vaya-dinev cropped
Neftochim-vaya-dinev cropped

Nearby, the LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas is the largest oil refinery in southeastern Europe. The city is also a center for the fishing industry. For travelers, Burgas Airport is the second most important airport in Bulgaria. Many large roads and European routes pass right through the city. This makes it easy for people and goods to move around.

Burgas has a history that stretches back 3,000 years.

Bronze-Alexander Severus-Deultum AE25 Moushmov 3583
Bronze-Alexander Severus-Deultum AE25 Moushmov 3583

Long ago, the Thracians lived here and left many ancient finds. The Romans also built a military colony called Deultum nearby in AD 70. Later, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire both ruled the area. In the 17th century, a small settlement called Ahelo-Pirgas grew in the city area. By the mid-19th century, the town became a strong center for trading grain.

Illustration from Views in the Ottoman Dominions by Luigi Mayer, digitally enhanced by rawpixel-com 12
Illustration from Views in the Ottoman Dominions by Luigi Mayer, digitally enhanced by rawpixel-com 12

The city has changed a lot over the last century. In 1890, a railway line opened to connect Burgas to Plovdiv. This helped the city grow very quickly through industry. By 1913, the city already had a clear layout and many buildings.

Burgas Plan 1913
Burgas Plan 1913

Old photos show streets like Alexandrovska Street in 1906.

Burgas-alexandrovska-street-1906
Burgas-alexandrovska-street-1906

Today, the city continues to grow with new plans for residential areas. It remains a bright spot on the Bulgarian coast.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Burgas Bulgaria by Sentinel-2 20190831.jpg
Burgas Bulgaria by Sentinel-2 20190831.jpg
File:Uzungeren.jpg
Uzungeren.jpg
File:Lake-mandrensko-dinev.jpg
Lake-mandrensko-dinev.jpg
File:Bronze-Alexander Severus-Deultum AE25 Moushmov 3583.jpg
Bronze-Alexander Severus-Deultum AE25...
File:Illustration from Views in the Ottoman Dominions by Luigi Mayer, digitally enhanced by rawpixel-com 12.jpg
Illustration from Views in the Ottoman...
File:Burgas-alexandrovska-street-1906.jpg
Burgas-alexandrovska-street-1906.jpg
File:Burgas Plan 1913.jpg
Burgas Plan 1913.jpg
File:Neftochim-vaya-dinev cropped.jpg
Neftochim-vaya-dinev cropped.jpg
File:Paraplaner in Burgas.jpg
Paraplaner in Burgas.jpg
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