Burgas, Bulgaria

Burgas
Data
Oblast:	Burgas
Population:	212,837 (15.12.2004)
Altitude:	30 m
Postal code:	8000
Area code:	056
Geographic coordinates:	42° 30' north 27° 28' east
Mayor
Yoan Kostadinov

Burgas (or Bourgas, Bulgarian: Бургас Greek: Pirgos, Πυργος) is the second largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is also the fourth largest city in the country, following Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. It is the capital of Burgas Province. Burgas is an industrial and tourist center. Burgas International Airport is a connecting point to major Black Sea resorts in Bulgaria like Sunny Beach, Nesebar, Sozopol, Dyuni, Elenite, etc.

Population (2001 est): 209,487

History

Alexander Severus coin celebrating the Flavian colony of Deultum.

Burgas is a successor of the Roman city of Deultum (later named Develt), founded by Emperor Vespasian as a military colony for veterans.

Besides Deultum, the present-day city expands over the area of three other ancient settlements: Kastiacion, Skafida and Rossokastron. In the Middle Ages a small fortress called Pirgos was erected in the place and was most probably used as a watchtower. It was only in 17th century that a city named Ahelo-Burgas grew in the present-day area of the city. It was later renamed to Burgas and had only about 3,000 inhabitants at the time of the Liberation. Soon it became a major center on the Southern Black Sea coast and a city of well-developed industry and trade. A number of oil and chemical companies were gradually built. Salt and iron are also mined here and traded far beyond the borders of the country. In 1903 the railway station in Burgas started functioning as well, giving an additional boost to the city's expansion.

Higher Education Institutions

Burgas, Bulgaria

Burgas Bay, Bulgaria

• Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov University
  • School of Technology
  • Aleko Konstantinov School of Hospitality
  • School of Medicine
• Burgas Free University