The Balkan mountains run laterally through the middle of the country from west to east. The mountainous southwest has two distinct alpine type ranges—Rila and Pirin, which border the lower but more extensive Rhodope Mountains to the east, and various medium altitude mountains to west, northwest and south, like Vitosha, Osogovo and Belasitsa. Musala, at , is the highest point in both Bulgaria and the Balkans. The Black Sea coast is the country's lowest point. Plains occupy about one third of the territory, while plateaux and hills occupy 41%. Most rivers are short and with low water levels. The longest river located solely in Bulgarian territory, the Iskar, has a length of . The Struma and the Maritsa are two major rivers in the south. Climate Bulgaria has a varied and changeable climate, which results from being positioned at the meeting point of the Mediterranean, Oceanic and Continental air masses combined with the barrier effect of its mountains. Northern Bulgaria averages cooler, and registers more precipitation, than the regions south of the Balkan mountains. Temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas. The lowest recorded temperature is , while the highest is . Precipitation averages about per year, and varies from in Dobrudja to more than in the mountains. Continental air masses bring significant amounts of snowfall during winter. alt=Köppen climate types of Bulgaria|left|thumb|314x314px|Köppen climate types of Bulgaria Considering its relatively small area, Bulgaria has variable and complex climate. The country occupies the southernmost part of the continental climatic zone, with small areas in the south falling within the Mediterranean climatic zone. The continental zone is predominant, because continental air masses flow easily into the unobstructed Danubian Plain. The continental influence, stronger during the winter, produces abundant snowfall; the Mediterranean influence increases during the second half of summer and produces hot and dry weather. Bulgaria is subdivided into five climatic zones: continental zone (Danubian Plain, Pre-Balkan and the higher valleys of the Transitional geomorphological region); transitional zone (Upper Thracian Plain, most of the Struma and Mesta valleys, the lower Sub-Balkan valleys); continental-Mediterranean zone (the southernmost areas of the Struma and Mesta valleys, the eastern Rhodope Mountains, Sakar and Strandzha); Black Sea zone along the coastline with an average length of 30–40 km inland; and alpine zone in the mountains above 1000 m altitude (central Balkan Mountains, Rila, Pirin, Vitosha, western Rhodope Mountains, etc.).
the balkan mountains run laterally through the middle of the country from west to east the mountainous southwest has two distinct alpine type ranges—rila and pirin which border the lower but more extensive rhodope mountains to the east and various medium altitude mountains to west northwest and south like vitosha osogovo and belasitsa musala at  is the highest point in both bulgaria and the balkans the black sea coast is the country's lowest point plains occupy about one third of the territory while plateaux and hills occupy 41% most rivers are short and with low water levels the longest river located solely in bulgarian territory the iskar has a length of  the struma and the maritsa are two major rivers in the south climate bulgaria has a varied and changeable climate which results from being positioned at the meeting point of the mediterranean oceanic and continental air masses combined with the barrier effect of its mountains northern bulgaria averages cooler and registers more precipitation than the regions south of the balkan mountains temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas the lowest recorded temperature is  while the highest is  precipitation averages about per year and varies from in dobrudja to more than in the mountains continental air masses bring significant amounts of snowfall during winter alt=köppen climate types of bulgaria|left|thumb|314x314px|köppen climate types of bulgaria considering its relatively small area bulgaria has variable and complex climate the country occupies the southernmost part of the continental climatic zone with small areas in the south falling within the mediterranean climatic zone the continental zone is predominant because continental air masses flow easily into the unobstructed danubian plain the continental influence stronger during the winter produces abundant snowfall; the mediterranean influence increases during the second half of summer and produces hot and dry weather bulgaria is subdivided into five climatic zones continental zone (danubian plain pre-balkan and the higher valleys of the transitional geomorphological region); transitional zone (upper thracian plain most of the struma and mesta valleys the lower sub-balkan valleys); continental-mediterranean zone (the southernmost areas of the struma and mesta valleys the eastern rhodope mountains sakar and strandzha); black sea zone along the coastline with an average length of 30–40 km inland; and alpine zone in the mountains above 1000 m altitude (central balkan mountains rila pirin vitosha western rhodope mountains etc)