Bulgaria is a country located in Southeastern Europe that has a population of over 7 million people. Some key facts about Bulgaria include: - It has been an independent nation since 681 AD, though it lost independence twice before becoming a republic in 1878. - Major cities include Sofia, which has over 1.3 million residents and serves as the capital and cultural/economic center. - Bulgaria has a diverse landscape that includes mountain ranges like the Rila and Pirin as well as beaches along the Black Sea coast. - The country has a long history and culture dating back over 1,000 years, using the Cyrillic alphabet and preserving its name over that time period. Traditional cuisine includes dishes