Bulgaria

 
Pronunciation: /bʌlˈgɛːrɪə/
  • a country in SE Europe on the western shores of the Black Sea; population 7,204,700 (est. 2009); official language, Bulgarian; capital, Sofia.

Part of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th century, Bulgaria remained under Turkish rule until the late 19th century, becoming independent in 1908. Bulgaria fought on the German side in both world wars. A communist state was set up by the Soviets after the Second World War, and a multiparty democratic system was introduced in 1989. In 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU

Origin:

named after the Bulgars (see Bulgar)