Burgas is the largest city in Southeast Bulgaria and its area of 253.644 km² makes it one of the largest cities in the country.
As of December 31, 2013 it had a population of 199,364 and ranked fourth in the country in terms of residents. Burgas is the major economic, transport, administrative and cultural center of Southeast Bulgaria. The city is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and region, as well as the seat of regional and national institutions.
Unemployment in the city is 11.50% and the employment rate is 46.80%.
Its proximity to the sea and the favorable living conditions in the fertile plain of Burgas attracted people to what today is Burgas as early as in ancient times. Unique archaeological finds bear evidence of the millennial history of the region: ancient settlement mounds from the Neolithic, Thracian temples and tombs, remains of Roman towns, Byzantine and Medieval fortresses, architectural reserves, ethnographic complexes, churches and monasteries.
It was in the region of Burgas that Bulgarian khans fought some of their great battles with the Byzantine Empire. The victories of Khan Tervel (8th century) at Anchialus in 708 and of Khan Kardam (who ruled in 777-802) at Marcellae in 792 strengthened the Bulgarian power. During the Ottoman Empire the city developed as an educational and spiritual center. In the 18th century the port of Burgas turned into the largest port south of the Balkan Mountains. In the early 20th century the city underwent a boom and modernization and quickly turned into a trade and industrial hub and a cosmopolitan center. More than 150 industrial enterprises were set up in Burgas during that time. The expansion and modernization of the port, the construction of an airport and a petrochemical plant gave a fresh boost to industrialization. In the decades following the Union between Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 1885 a large number of refugees moved to the city and the surrounding area. The city grew with Bulgarians, as well as with Turks, Greeks, Italians, Armenians and Jews. At the same time the city and the sea give inspiration to painters, poets and writers. Georgi Baev (1924-2007), who was born and lived in Burgas, is one of the best known Bulgarian marine artists. Petya Dubarova (1962-79) and Hristo Fotev (1934-2002) are among the poets of Burgas who are spoken of with pride even outside the boundaries of the city.
Burgas is a center of the Bulgarian fishing and fish-processing industry. Eighty percent of Bulgarian fishing is performed by Burgas-based companies. For the purpose, some of the largest cold stores in Bulgaria are located in the area of the Burgas port. For the last few years Burgas has established itself as one of the most dynamic cities in Bulgaria. Today’s Burgas is an important industrial, trade, transport, cultural and tourism center. Since 2009 the city has deservedly won several prestigious titles: Best City to Live in Bulgaria (2010 and 2010), Best City for Doing Business (2009), Greenest Major City in Bulgaria (2011), first prize for Contribution to the Development of Tourism in Bulgaria (2012).
