Nature
Golden Sands Resort complex, as part of Golden Sands Natural Park is a unique combination of sea, wonderful beach and natural forest. It is located at a latitude of 43" 22' N and a longitude of 27"E.
The Balkan range which gave its name to the whole Balkan peninsula meets here the Black Sea on a beach 3.5km long and 80-100m wide.
Golden Sands Nature Park is situated on an area of 1320.7 hectares, 9.2 km long and 1.2 km wide and was declared a protected territory in 1943. According to the criteria of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Golden Sands Nature Park ranks fifth category in the list of protected territories.
The resort is rich in low mineral content drinking water - three natural mineral springs and one borehole with capacity 120 l/sec which supply the hotels with water.
The climate is temperate. The average air temperature from May to September is 18 - 28°C, and the water temperature - 18-24°C. The sea breeze is always pleasant, especially at night, when it keeps temperatures cooler to ensure pleasant dreams.
The wooded areas of the nature park hug the seacoast. The territory of the park is covered with natural deciduous forests consisting of various types of oak, such as moss-capped oak, Hungarian oak, swampwhite oak, hornbeam. The primary or indigenous vegetation of the park, unlike forests with the predominance of oaks also includes eco-systems of dense-forest type.
The indigenous eco-systems with the predominance of various types of oaks - moss-capped oak, Hungarian oak, swampwhite oak, hornbeamand the accompanying silver-leafed lime, manna ash, yoke-elm, field maple, etc., occupy the hilly area in the centre of the park. These forests include almost all tree species typical for the lower forest layer (up to 1,000 m above sea level) and some of them (limes, elms) are over 100 years old. The two-hundred years old sycamore with circumference of the trunk 4m is among the landmarks of the park. Among the rich variety of grassy species most typical are the common mullein, toad flax, ribwort. Dense forest eco-systems take a very small area in the South-East part of the park. They are located in areas with higher humidity of the soil and air. These are deciduous tree species (Caucasian Ash, moss-capped oak, yoke-elm, white poplar, white fir, Mahaleb Cherry)covered with climbing plants: old man's beard, wild vines, ivy, hop andsilk vine. These forests are surprisingly similar to tropical forests. Some popular grasses arewood horsetail, oriental iris, wild orchids, cuckoo pint. Shrub eco systems - take up some steep parts of the park, in places with thin top soil layers over limy rockbase. The predominant shrubs are lilac, crown-vetch, jasmine, Christ's thorn. Grasses are mostly drought-resistant. Some rare species available here are fernleaf wormwood, fieldchamomile, and the protected species Joint-pine.
During its long term cohabitation with man the forest has changed. The native vegetation has been replaced by hornbeam brushwood. Under protection are 20 rare and endangered species (snowdrop, Caucasianprimula, orchids, etc.)
A result of human intervention are the man-made or socalled cultured eco-systems.The most common coniferous plants in the park are Austrianpine, cypressandcedar, and of the deciduous - acacia, flowering ash, and white poplar.
The flora of the Golden Sands nature park in cludes about 500 speciesofplants. Most important among them are the rare, endangered and protected species which are 21 on the territory of the park.
Two amphibious, 8 reptile, 78 avian and 25 mammal species live in the Golden Sands nature park. The water-covered areas are the cause for the presence of amphibious species. Among the variety of reptiles some protected species are Aesculapian snake, green whip snake, tortoise. Of the 78 avian species most common are blackbirds, thrushes, tits, woodpeckers, jays, common buzzards, etc. Of the predatory birds the most common are common buzzards, goshawks, eagle owls, tawny owls, etc. In the water basins nest moorhens, green-headed duck, etc.
Some typical mammals are roe deer, red deer, wild boar, squirrel, beech marten, hare, etc. Among the protected mammals listed are hedgehog, pine-martens, bats.
There is a great variety of insects too. Among the most attractive is the stag beetle, and in the open areas the butterflies - swallowtail, admiral, small tortoiseshell, etc.
Under protection are some rare and endangered species - 70 avian /common buzzard, goshawk, hawk finch, golden oriole, etc./ and 25 mammal / roe deer, wild boar, badger, etc.