Vo1D :
Bulgaria is a country located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, and it has played a significant role in European history, culture, and development for more than thirteen centuries. With its strategic position between East and West, Bulgaria has long served as a cultural, political, and economic bridge between different civilizations. The official founding of Bulgaria as a state dates back to 681 AD, making it one of the oldest countries in Europe that has kept its name unchanged. During the Middle Ages, Bulgaria was a powerful kingdom, especially under Tsar Simeon the Great in the 9th and 10th centuries, when it became a cultural and military rival to the Byzantine Empire. Bulgaria contributed greatly to European civilization during this period, particularly through the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, which was developed in the Bulgarian lands by the followers of Saints Cyril and Methodius and became the writing system of many Slavic nations including Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine. This made Bulgaria a cultural leader in Eastern Europe. Later, Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule in 1396 and remained under foreign control for nearly 500 years. However, even during this long period of occupation, the Bulgarian people preserved their language, religion, and national identity. Inspired by the European movements of national awakening and independence, Bulgaria experienced its own National Revival in the 18th and 19th centuries. This period led to the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 after the Russo-Turkish War, and the modern Bulgarian state was established. In the 20th century, Bulgaria participated in the Balkan Wars and both World Wars, which brought many challenges and changes to the country. After World War II, Bulgaria became part of the Eastern Bloc under Soviet influence and was isolated from Western Europe during the Cold War. However, with the fall of communism in 1989, Bulgaria began a new chapter, transitioning to democracy and working toward integration with the rest of Europe. Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and became a member of the European Union in 2007, strengthening its ties with other European countries. Today, Bulgaria is
2025-05-27 14:19:38