Sofia

Sofia is the capital and the largest city of Republic of Bulgaria. Sofia means wiseness in Greek language and in Ancient Greek language. It has 1.3 million people. It is the 15th largest city of the European Union.^[3] Sofia is in the west of Bulgaria.

Sofia София
Alexander Liberator depicted in metal in front of the National Assembly Square in central Sofia Eagles' Bridge detail
Flag Coat of arms
Motto(s):  Расте, но не старее (Grows but Does not Age)[1]
Sofia Position of Sofia in Bulgaria
Coordinates: 42°42′N 23°20′E
Country	Bulgaria
Province	Sofia-Capital
Settled by Thracians	7th century BC
Government
• Mayor of Sofia	Yordanka Fandakova (GERB)
Area
• City	1.349 km2 (0.521 sq mi)
Elevation	550 m (1,800 ft)
Population  (Census 2011 (City and Urban), Forecast for 2012 (Metro)[2])
• City	1,270,284
• Density	944/km2 (2,440/sq mi)
• Urban	1,359,520
• Metro	1,380,000 (Metro area) 1,495,000 (Metro region)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	1000
Area code	(+359) 02
Website	www.Sofia.bg

Sofia is one of the oldest capital cities in Europe; the history of Sofia dates back to the 8th century BC.

Many of the major, biggest universities, cultural centers and institutions, and many businesses of Bulgaria are concentrated in Sofia.

Sofia has Sofia University called Kliment Ohridski, to the name of Kliment, the student of Cyril and Methodius, National Library is located in Sofia, the National Theater, National Palace of Culture of Bulgaria in German-Berlin style having a big garden with waterfalls.

Political institutions are located in Sofia as the Parliament of Bulgaria and the Ministries, together with the Presidency.

Many big cinemas are located in Sofia, historical and new.

However the previous capital is Veliko Tarnovo, and Sofia became a capital after the Liberation of Bulgaria that is celebrated on 3rd of March.

At 550 m (1,800 ft) above sea level, Sofia is the third highest capital in Europe (after the Andorran capital Andorra la Vella and the Spanish capital Madrid). It has a humid continental climate (Dfb in the Köppen climate classification).

References

1. "Sofia Trough Centuries". Sofia Municipality. Archived from the original on 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
2. Sofia Master Plan Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, Sofia Metro Area - 1,280,000 in 2001 and 1,450,000 in 2020, equal to 1,378,000 in 2012; Sofia Metro Region - 1,435,000 in 2001 and 1,540,000 in 2020, equal to 1,495,000 in 2012
3. "Population table by permanent and present address as of 12 June 2006" (in Bulgarian). Head Direction of Residential Registration and Administrative Service. Retrieved 2006-06-15.

Other websites

Media related to Sofia at Wikimedia Commons

• Sofia complete accommodation guide Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine