"In the history of civilizations as in the history of mankind, childhood is the decisive factor" - Jacques Le Golf - a French historian.

The favourable climate and the rich natural diversity of sea, mountains, rivers, lakes and natural plains has established conditions for the development of civilizations thousands of years before the new millennium. The most ancient inhabitants of the Eastern Balkans are the Thracians. These multitudinous people give the following gods to the world history: Dionysius, Hefest, Arthemida, Kibela, Ares and others. Orpheus and Spartacus are also Thracians. Many Thracians take part in the Trojan War and are described with admiration by Homer in his epic "The Iliad".

In IV c. B.C. part of the territory of the present day Bulgaria is conquered by the Helenian-Macedonians lead by Philip II and his son Alexander the Macedonian. Thracian troops, lead by Alexander the Great reach the lands of Egypt, Persia and India.

In I c. B.C. the Thracian lands are conquered by the Roman Empire and become its provinces. The Thracian fortresses become part of the Roman defense system and the towns - part of the administrative system of the Empire. The major highways of Bulgaria follow in fact the traces of the ancient Roman roads. The Romans build many new towns. Some of the Thracians adopt the Latin language and the culture of the Empire.

Since IV c. B.C. the Balkan Peninsula is under the reign of Byzantium. During the great movement of people dozens of tribes pass through the territory of Bulgaria and leave their traces. Some of them travel west and take part in the formation of the modern European nations (The Goths). However, from all these pilgrims the greatest is the influence of the Slavs. At the beginning of VII c. they have colonized almost the whole Balkan Peninsula, reaching even Peloponnesus. In the last quarter of the century the pre-Bulgarians invade the region. The Bulgarian State is established in 681 with the union of pre-Bulgarians, Slavs and Thracians, led by khan Asparuh. There is historic evidence proving that the pre-Bulgarians are not a primitive nomadic tribe but people of Turkic origin with long-established state traditions and culture.

In 681 Bulgaria signs its first Peace Pact with Byzantium. During the Middle Ages on the map of Europe have existed only three states - Western Roman Empire, Bulgaria and Eastern Roman Empire. During the reigns of tsar Simeon the Great (893-927), tsar Kaloyan (1197-1207) and tsar Ivan II- Assen (1218-1241) Bulgaria is among the greatest forces on the Old Continent.

In 1396 Bulgaria becomes part of the Ottoman Empire like most of the countries on the Balkan Peninsula. The Middle Age Bulgarian state perishes thus saving the Middle and Western Europe. In 1978 Bulgaria is liberated with the help of Russia but many of its lands are given to its neighbours.