Bulgaria and Albania.

Map   Questions.

Bulgaria. The People's Republic of Bulgaria is situated to the south of Rumania, on the right bank of the Danube. It numbers over 8,000,000 people, mainly members of the South Slavonic group. They speak the Bulgarian language, which has much in com­mon with Russian. There are also a small number of Turks in some parts of the country.
The Balkan Mountains extend across the centre of the country from west to east, finally reaching the Black Sea. They are not very high (not above 2,400 metres) and have convenient passes. Their northern slopes are covered with forests, composed mainly of beech. The steep southern slopes are almost woodless. There is coal and other minerals in these mountains.
North of the Balkan Mountains lies a hilly plain that slopes gradually towards the Danube. The climate here is temperate con­tinental with slight frosts in winter. The plain is under cultivation, with wheat, maize and sugar-beet prevailing.
The relief changes to the south of the Balkans. Here tower thick-wooded mountains intersected by deep valleys. The tallest peaks reach a height of 2,900 metres. Along the river banks and sea coasts

Fig. 58. Rose-picking in Bulgaria.

stretch low-lying areas. Summers here are hot and rather dry win-3 warm, with the average temperature above 0°C. Plants of the evergreen type are found here. High-grade tobacco and various vegetables are cultivated, and there are many orchards and vine­yards Tobacco, grapes, fruits, canned vegetables and canned fruits are the country s chief exports. Bulgaria is celebrated for its rose plantations. From the petals of these flowers a highly valuable oil is obtained (Fig. 58). Water reservoirs and hydroelectric pole-stations are being constructed along the mountain streams The main mineral resources of the country are concentrated in these southern regions: brown coal, iron ore, lead, zinc and other metals. Some ores and metals are exported.

A formerly backward and agrarian country, Bulgaria today  possesses numerous coal and ore mines, various factories and mills producing metals machinery, chemical fertilizers, and food-stuff As compared with the pre-war  level,  the  industrial output  has increased   sharply. There are many state farms equipped with

Fig. 59. Sofia: Russian Boulevard.
up-to-date machinery. The peasants are united into large-scale co­operative farms.

The capital of Bulgaria, Sophia (700,000 inhabitants), is situated in the west of the country, in a hollow amidst the moun­tains (Fig. 59). It is a developed industrial centre. An important railway connecting Western Europe with Asia Minor (with the Strait of Bosporus) passes through Sophia.
Albania. The People's Republic of Albania, a small country with a population of only 1,600,000, lies on the western coast of the Balkan Peninsula, on the Adriatic Sea. The Albanians are descen­dants of the ancient inhabitants of these regions. The ruins of an­cient Greek and Roman towns and fortresses are still preserved in the country.
The greater part of Albania is occupied by almost impassable mountains that reach a height of 2,700 metres. Oak forests cover the lower slopes, while at higher altitudes grow mixed and coniferous forests. Timber exploitation is in practice here. There are meadows on the upper slopes where flocks of sheep and goats graze in summer. Mules, donkeys and horses are used as pack animals in these regions.
Closer to the coast the mountains recede inland, leaving the coastal belt level and marshy in places. The climate here is Medi­terranean. Summers are hot and dry and winters warm, the average January temperature being about 9°C above zero The rainy season is late autumn and winter. There grow forests of evergreen oak and dense thickets of brush. Groves of olive trees loom green. Apple, pear, orange and lemon trees are cultivated. Corn, wheat, and to
a smaller extent, rice and tobacco are grown on the fields. On the irrigated lands cotton  is cultivated.
Before World War II Albania was the most backward country in Europe. Under the power of the people industrial output has in­creased as compared with the pre-war level. Small quantities of asphalt, oil, and ores (copper, chrome and others) are produced. Thanks to the help of the Soviet Union and other socialist states a number of plants and factories have been constructed. On the mountain streams hydroelectric power-stations now exist. Numerous highways and the first railways in the country have been built. Commercial ties are maintained mainly by sea. The majority of the peasants are united into agricultural co-operatives.
The capital of Albania is Tirana (120,000 inhabitants). It lies in a broad valley amidst picturesque mountains, 40 kilo­metres distant from the Adriatic Sea.
In the older part of the town the streets are narrow and crooked, the houses small and surrounded by stone walls. The new part stands out for its wide streets and two or three-storeyed houses. Tirana is an important industrial and cultural centre of the country.
Questions and Assignments.

• What are the common features and points of difference in the
  geographical positions and natural features of Bulgaria and Albania?
• What features characterize the economic activities of the
  population in each of these countries? Mark the natural resources
  and capitals of each country on the outline map.