Sofia is capital and largest city in Bulgaria. It is located in western Bulgaria in the valley of Vitosha mountain. It is administrative, industrial, transport and educational center of the country. The name Sofia comes from the Greek word for "wisdom".
Sofia is located on the northern slope of Vitosha mountain. The city is surrounded by mountains (Stara Planina, Central Forest Mountain, Liulin Mountain and Lozen Mountain). In ancient times they were important roads linking the Adriatic and Central Europe with the Black and Aegean Sea and the Middle East. Thanks to its central location on the Balkan Peninsula, Sofia was a big city in the past too. In Sofia run several small rivers. The largest of them are Vladaiska River and Perlovska River. Nearby is also Iskar River – the longest river in Bulgaria. But this part of the river is not big or deep. Sofia is famous since antiquity for its numerous mineral and thermal springs. There are 15 fields with total flow of mineral water 130 l / sec. In the past 60 years were built artificial ponds and lakes. The total area of Sofia is 1 311 square km. The city is located at 550 meters altitude.