2. Geography
Sofia is the nation's capital and largest city of Bulgaria.
It is situated in western Bulgaria, at the northern foot of the Vitosha mountain, in
the Sofia Valley.
It lies in the upper Iskur River valley, just south of the Balkan Mountains.
3. Climate and Demography
The city receives a very high average precipitation a year.
According to 2012 data, the city has a population of 1,241,396.
Sofia has a humid continental climate with an average annual
temperature of 10.6 °C
4. Urban Plan
The transformations of Bulgaria in 1946 and in 1990 marked significant changes in the city's
appearance. The population of Sofia expanded rapidly due to migration from the country.
Whole new residential areas were built in the outskirts of the city, like Druzhba, Mladost and
Lyulin.
5. Housing, Zones and Suburban
Areas
Politically, administratively and economically, Bulgaria is a highly centralized
state and it is divided in districts such as: Oborishte, Sredets, Vazrazhdane,
Mladost and Vitosha.
7. History and Development
Sofia first became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in 809.
After a number of unsuccessful sieges, the city fell again to the Byzantine
Empire but it was once again incorporated and it was renamed Sofia in 1376.
Sofia was originally a Thracian settlement called Serdica.
8. Environmental Issues
The biggest environmental concerns in Sofia are the transport and the air pollution.
Due to the high levels of traffic, air pollution has became a serious problem in Sofia.
For that reason Sofia offers services which include measures such as decreasing
traffic congestion, improving the efficiency public transport and strengthening the
financial position.