Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-16

/ ULGARIAN BRITISH REVIEW,
x soma On the Seaboard of the
Black Sea, within Bulgarian ter
- ritory, there are two large, well
deflned CULTS, within which have
been constructed the ports of Varna
and Burgas The Gulf of Varna is
smaller in size and more shallow than
that of the Gulf of Burgas. whose
length is 1912 knometers and in width
10 ktlometers. The town and port is
situated on the western side. 1t Is the
second largest Bulgarian town on this
coast and is the first in Importance in
relation to shipping, as the largest part
OF the imports and exports Of the coun-
try pass through this port.
Burgas cannot claim such a long,
varied and eventful history as that of
Varna and other important towns in
the kingdom which have sprung from
the folds of the antic world or from
the epochs of the dark and heroic mid
die ages, for the reason that, apparently,
1t was out of the zone of political strife
and was considered as of minor inpor-
lance as port or trading station dur
ing these various epochs.
According to records, what Is now the
port Burgas was founded some 800
years ago. History also relates that up
to the middle of the last century it
represented nothing other than q COL
lection of poor f1shermen's huts and
was considered but small, insignificant
village. However, toward the end Of the
last century it gradually came into
prominence and quickly developed. At
the time of liberation, in 1878, the town
had a population of 5000. In the years
following liberation this progress was
even more rapid, and mariners after
learning that the Gulf of Burgas was
well protected from the elements it be-
came port of call for shipping. To-
day it is the most important shipping
center for Bulgaria and Is visited by
shipping from all parts of the world,
especially from England. This growth
can be measured by the fact that the
last census taken, In 1926, gives the
popGiation as 10000. One might ask
the question, What is the reason for
this rapid development and in such a
short period Burgas should blossom into
an international port? The answer to
this question Is. according to the geo.
graphical map. the Gulf of Burgas pen
etrates far into the hinterland; there
are several highways leading to the
town, and within q short radius there
are many smaller towns and villages.
In the background of this district
spreads the wide and fertile plains of
Thrace. which cannot only feed its own
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borders, but also supply large quantities
of foodstuffs for export. which, up to
the World War, was mainly concen-
trated in and exported from the port
Of Burgas. The largest part Of the i'm
ports of the country also pass through
this port.
On account of these natural favorable
conditions. coupled with the initiative
and enterprising spirit of the popula-
ton, Burgas has been able in the last
three or four decades to grow into and
become a modern European city. With
the development of the railways, soon
after liberation. Burgas was one of the
first places to be linked up with railway
communications with the capital, and
now there are a number of branch
lines which brings it within a COM
paratively short distance of the main
agricultural producing centers. partic-
ularly the rich tobacco growing areas
in South Bulgaria. simultaneously with
development of the railway system. the
port itself was constructed upon most
modern lines, with large and spacious
wharves to accommodate shipping Of all
draughts.