National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)

The Bulgarian Learned Society (BLS), which is the precursor of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), is established in 1869 in Braila, Romania. Now the Academy is located in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is autonomous and has a Society of Academicians, Correspondent Members and Foreign Members. It publishes and circulates different scientific works, encyclopedias, dictionaries and journals, and runs its own publishing house. The BAS has 9 main sections, more broadly united under 3 main branches: Natural, mathematical and engineering sciences, Biological, medical and agrarian sciences and Social sciences, humanities and art. Each consists of independent scientific institutes, laboratories and other sections.

National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography (NIGGG)

The National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography is established in 2010 after the unification of 4 structures of the Academy: Geophysical Institute, Central Laboratory for Seismic Mechanics and Earthquake Engineering, Central Laboratory of Geodesy and Institute of Geography. The Institute currently has 185 employees, of which 2/3rds are researchers and the rest are technical and support staff. The main research activities are provided in the following departments: Geophysics, Seismology and Seismic Hazards, Earthquake Engineering, Classical and Satellite Geodesy and Geography.

Department of Geography deals with the spatial differentiation, dynamics and interactions between the processes and phenomena of nature and society in Bulgaria and beyond. This type of spatial interpretation is realized by implementing a comprehensive approach of research. The work of the department is framed in three research groups: Physical Geography, Human Geography and GIS. The main areas of research are global change and environmental protection, European integration, cross-border cooperation and regional sustainable development, education and qualification.