Economy

Prior to World War II Bulgaria was one of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in Europe. After the war the economy expanded considerably, due in large part to massive investment by the Soviet Union. Bulgaria had a centrally planned economy, especially during the Communist rule, and the government owned a number of industries. During 1990–91, however, the government began instituting measures to establish a market-based economy, by redistributing land and selling state corporations to private owners. The bulk of Bulgaria's foreign trade is with other eastern European countries.

The economic production of Bulgaria is accounted for in terms of NMP, or net material product, which refers to the total value of goods and services used in the process of production in one year.

Bulgaria's basic currency unit is the lev.

Manufacturing

employs slightly more than a third of the nation's workers, and accounts for nearly half of Bulgaria’s NMP. The metallurgical and chemical industries—producing mainly iron and steel, machinery, electrical and transportation equipment, fertilizer, drugs, and petroleum products—are the largest. Bulgaria also produces electronic equipment and parts, which are increasingly important exports. In addition, textiles and processed foods are of major significance. Major industrial complexes are located in and around Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Dimitrovgrad, and Ruse.

Service industries account for about a fifth of Bulgaria's NMP and involves around one third of the workforce. Service industries provide community, social, and personal services to the citizens of Bulgaria, and include such activities as education, health care, stores, restaurants and hotels, and transport and communication.

Agriculture

Farming provides a livelihood for about one-fourth of the population. More than half the area of Bulgaria, amounting to almost 15 million acres (6 million hectares) is covered by farmland. During 1946–91, most farmland was in cooperatives or government-owned state farms, but some was set aside for private use. In 1991 the Bulgarian government began to sell all the state-owned and collectivized farms to private individuals. Wheat, barley, corn, oats, rye, rice, tobacco, and sugar beets are the chief crops. Bulgaria also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables, which include apples, grapes, potatoes, pears, tomatoes, and watermelons.. A major specialty crop is roses, which yield attar of roses, an essential oil used in making fine perfumes. Much of Bulgaria's crop production is exported, usually after some local processing. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and chickens are the most widely raised farm animals, and cow’s milk is one of the major farm products.

Mining

Bulgaria has relatively few mineral resources. Copper, lead, and zinc are mined in small quantities. Iron ore, coal, and some petroleum and natural gas are produced, but quantities fall far short of meeting domestic needs. Other minerals found in Bulgaria include kaolin, pyrite, salt, and sulfur. There is a nuclear power plant at Kozloduy, which supplies some of the power required by the country, the rest being imported from other countries.

Trade

Bulgaria trades chiefly with Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A large bi-annual trade fair is held in Plovdiv. Bulgaria also receives financial aid from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which was founded in 1990 to help rebuild the economies of Eastern European countries.The chief imports of Bulgaria include fuels, industrial equipment, metals, and such raw materials as iron ore and coke. Bulgaria’s main exports are cigarettes and tobacco, grapes, machinery, rose oil, and wine.

Transportation and Communication

Bulgaria has a fairly extensive system of paved roads, which link major cities. The length of the roadways amounts to 22,660 miles (36,470 kilometers) of which only about a fourth are paved. Railways, which cover almost 2,700 miles (4,300 kilometers) of track, are the chief means of transporting freight; however, trucks are handling an increasing share of the traffic. The Danube is used for inland shipping, with Ruse as the primary river port. Varna and Burgas, on the Black Sea, are the nation's principal maritime ports. Sofia's airport is the nation's busiest. Bálkan, the national airline, provides domestic and international flights; a number of foreign airlines also provide international service.. There are additional airports at Burgas, and Varna.

Unlike in the Communist era, there is now no censorship in Bulgaria. State-owned and privately owned radio and TV networks broadcast in Bulgaria. International and national news is provided by the official news agency of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.