Social infrastructure
Sofia is the most developed city in Bulgaria in respect of social infrastructure. Despite the fact that the total number of kindergartens is not at all low, the shortage of these institutions is ostensible. The reason for this problem is the demolition, insufficient support and absence of newly-built public crèches and kindergartens.
The situation in Sofia in respect of schools is quite the contrary. There are enough schools but the children who enter them are not that many and there is a trend of decreasing number of schoolchildren in a class, which might lead to a reduction of classes or even to a close-down of schools.
The number of institutions of higher education on the territory of Sofia is the highest in comparison to the other towns in Bulgaria. Two of the most prestigious universities are in Sofia – the University of National and World Economy and the Sofia University.
As far as police stations are concerned - in Sofia there is a sufficient number of these institutions, spread throughout the different districts of the city.
The hospital system in Sofia is the best developed in Bulgaria. Hospitals and healthcare institutions in the city are provided with the necessary equipment and dispose of the biggest bed space in the country. There are many specialized hospitals here, which have some of the best prepared specialists in different fields. Among the best and most popular hospitals in Sofia are: Pirogov, Military Medical Academy, Alexandrovska Hospital, University Hospital Tsaritsa Yoanna, Tokuda, etc.
All the state institutions are located in Sofia. The buildings of the majority of the ministries are situated in the downtown area, as well as the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the Presidency. All the supreme judicial institutions and other national institutions such as the National Statistical Institute, the National Social Security Institute, etc are in the capital too.
Sofia is rich in monuments of culture. “St. Alexander Nevsky” Cathedral is a five-nave church built in Neo-Byzantine style – cross-domed basilica featuring an emphasized central dome, which is one of the main sights of the city. Another important monument of culture is the National Palace of Culture (NDK). It is a multifunctional complex, a contemporary palace – synthesis of modern architecture with plastic arts. An interesting fact, which is worth mentioning, is that its construction consumed more iron than the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. Among the other monuments of culture, which will not remain unnoticed are the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographical Museum, which are housed in the former royal palace, built in 1873, as well as the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, founded in 1904.
Sofia is the best developed town in Bulgaria in respect of sports facilities. It has seven stadiums, five sports halls, six swimming complexes, one water sports facility – Rowing Centre Pancharevo, horse riding centers, etc.
The capital houses the biggest number of operas, theatres, cinemas and entertainment facilities and their number continuously increases.
The green areas in the capital keep on extinguishing as a result of the intensive construction works, but there are still some parks and small gardens, where people can go for a walk, children can play, ride bicycles, etc. People living in Sofia have the chance of enjoying the mountain, located closest to the city – Vitosha, where they may find at hand ski-runs, lifts and walking alleys.
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