Sofia is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Bulgaria, with a population of 1,376,742. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of the mountain massif Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, and industrial centre of the country.
The history of Sofia dates back to the 7th century BC, when Thracians established a settlement there. It has a several names throughout its history. Sofia is the second oldest capital city in Europe, with remarkable architectural style. Historic landmarks include the 10th century Boyana Church (one of the UNESCO World Heritage protected sites), the Alexander Nevski Cathedral (one of the world's largest Orthodox churches), and the Byzantine Church of St. Sofia. More modern architecture is represented by the Bulgarian National Opera and Ballet, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Slaveykov Square's (outdoor book market), and NDK(National Palace of Culture), which is Southeastern Europe's largest cultural and congressional center.
Open Society Institute - Sofia, along with Sofia Land (Bulgarian Disneyland); Sofia Zoo founded in 1888.