The city of Bourgas (population: 196 316) is the second largest city at the Black Sea cost and is a regional administrative centre. It is situated in the farthest western part of Bourgas Bay and is 390 km east of Sofia. It ranks fourth in size among the biggest cities in the country after Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. Due to the low level of the cost three lagoon-lakes were formed: Atanassovo, Bourgas and Mandren. The city is situated between the sea and the first two lakes, however it has grown so much that nowadays it almost touches the Mandra Lake.

The climate is of the moderate continental type with a definite influence of the sea. Summer is pleasantly fresh because of the constant movements of the air. The average day temperature of the air during the summer is 26.4� C, and the temperature of the sea water � 24.8� C. There are between 24 and 27 sunny days per month during the summer period with an average of 10-11 sunny hours in a 24-hour period. The winter is mild with no snow. The average day temperature of the air during the winter is 4.6� C, and that of the sea water � 7.4� C. Because of the influence of the sea the autumn is long and warmer than it is in the country, and the spring is comparatively cold and usually comes one month later than normal.