BURGAS (sometimes written Burghaz, Bourgas or Burgas, and, in the

See also:

• MIDDLE

middle ages,

See also:

• PYRGOS

Pyrgos)  , a seaport, and capital of the department of Burgas, in Bulgaria (Eastern Rumelia), on the gulf of Burgas, an inlet of the Black Sea, in 42° 27' N. and 27° 35' E . Pop . (1906) 12,846 . Burgas is built on a low foreland, between the lagoons of Ludzha, on the north, and Kara-Yunus, on the west; it faces towards the open sea on the east, and towards its own harbour on the south . The principal approach is a broad isthmus on the north-west, along which runs the railway to Philippopolis and Adrianople . Despite its small population and the rivalry of Varna and the Turkish port of Dedeagatch, Burgas has a considerable transit trade . Its fine harbour, formally opened in 1904, has an average depth of five fathoms; large vessels can load at the quays, and the outer waters of the gulf are well lit by lighthouses on the islets of Hagios Anastasios and Megalo-Nisi . In 1904, the port accommodated over 1400 ships, of about 700,000 tons . These included upwards of 800 Bulgarian and Turkish sailing-vessels, engaged in the coasting trade . Fuel, machinery and miscellaneous goods are imported, chiefly from Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom; the exports include grain, wool, tallow, cheese, butter, attar of roses, &c . Pottery and pipes are manufactured from clay obtained in the neighbourhood .