Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country located in Southeast Europe, situated on the eastern Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, and Romania to the north, with the Black Sea forming its eastern coast. The nation's capital and largest city is Sofia, and its economy is historically tied to its strategic position as a crossroads between the Balkans and the Aegean Sea. The country's culture is a blend of Slavic traditions and Byzantine influences, evident in its rich history and architecture.