Today Varna is one of the most dynamically developing regions of the country in terms of both economical and social respect. It is a large port city - main port for both naval and commercial shipment. It is also a large industrial, scientific, and cultural centre of Bulgaria. The city is international, therefore, it has higher business activity and enjoys great potential, including joining the European Union expected in 2007. Currently the population is estimated to be approximately 360 thousand people.
The city is surrounded by numerous gardens, wineries, and broadleaf boskets. Virtually all the territory is occupied by private country houses and small farms. Varna also represents a world-known tourist centre, which was proclaimed a seaside resort back in 1926; it enjoys great popularity among both the local residents of Bulgaria, and the tourists. The city is international, therefore, it has high business activity and enjoys great potential, including joining the European Union expected in 2007. Currently the population is estimated to be approximately 360 thousand people. Local people also call Varna “the Black Sea pearl of Bulgaria”. The beaches of Varna stretch for over 10 km. Each year the most famous Bulgarian resorts - St. Konstantin and Elena, the Golden Sands, and Albena - welcome around 100 thousands of Bulgarian people and around 60 thousands of foreign tourists.
50 thousand foreigners have their short business trips to Varna each year. In August every 10 seconds a car runs along the Sofia-Varna Highway; it proves quite considerable popularity of Varna as a tourist destination. During the summer season, railway station of Varna provides services to some 40 thousand passengers with trains going in all the directions; every day the international airport offers its services to 3,500 passengers. Busy highways and roads make one’s trip to Varna quick, easy, and convenient. Varna is one of the most important transport hubs of the South-Eastern Europe. Seagoing ferries connect the city with Georgia, Ukraine, Turkey, and other countries.
One of the city’s places of interests is a dolphinarium; it is the only facility of the kind on the Balkan Peninsula. In the Primorskiy Park the greatness of old trees and wide pedestrian alleys is favourably combined with cosy restaurants, bars, and disco clubs located at the very seaside; it turns the park into a very attractive and unique centre of entertainment for youngsters and the tourists.
The climate of Varna is warm, with 4 seasons vividly present; the warm period is relatively long; average summer temperature is + 26°С; vast beaches, sea breeze, and clean air.
