How Bulgarians See Themselves—And the Rest of Europe

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Maps aren’t always about mountains and borders. Sometimes, they capture how we perceive each other—warts and all. Today’s maps are a case in point: humorous, harsh, and completely subjective. But they open a curious window into national identity, regional humor, and the collective psyche of a place.

Let’s take a look at two stereotype maps of Bulgaria. One focuses inward—how Bulgarians stereotype their own regions. The other pans outward to show how they (allegedly) view the rest of Europe.

Bulgaria According to Bulgarians

The first map zooms in on Bulgaria itself, labeling each province or area with local stereotypes. It’s rough, brutally honest, and often not politically correct.

Phrases like “The cold and poor north,” “ugly women,” “delusional Bulgarians,” and “Arrogant pricks” reflect how people from different regions jokingly (or not) describe each other. The stereotypes touch on everything from socio-economic status to dialect, crime, and even food origins (“This is where all bread comes from”).

Some parts are clearly exaggerated for comedic effect. Others might sting a little more because they touch on real economic or cultural divides. Northern Bulgaria, for instance, has long lagged behind the south in terms of infrastructure and investment. According to Eurostat, Bulgaria’s northwestern region is among the EU’s poorest in terms of GDP per capita.

Then there are the areas labeled “stolen by the Serbs” or “stolen by the Greeks”—a nod to Bulgaria’s complex history of shifting borders and lingering territorial frustrations. These references don’t reflect actual current claims but echo emotional undercurrents still present in parts of society.

Humorous maps like this often serve as a form of self-criticism—something that Eastern European cultures are particularly good at. It’s raw, sarcastic humor, not to be taken as a literal guide to regional demographics.

Europe According to Bulgaria

This map is part of a much larger series by graphic designer Yanko Tsvetkov, who’s made a name for himself by visualizing how different countries view the world through stereotype-tinted glasses.

Here, Bulgaria casts a skeptical, playful eye across the continent. Italy is “Spaghettia,” France becomes “Cheese and Other Perfumes,” while Turkey is dubbed “Kapalıçarşı,” referencing the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Spain is “Workplace (Weekdays from 10 to 5),” and Ireland? Just “Pub.”

Some labels show admiration or envy—like “Sexy Fembots” for Scandinavian women or “Money” for Switzerland. Others seem tinged with post-Soviet cynicism—Russia is simply “Big Brother.”

This map is a goldmine for understanding how humor, stereotypes, and cultural shorthand get used to process complex relationships. Bulgaria sits geographically and historically at the crossroads of East and West, Orthodox and Catholic, Slavic and Ottoman. That mix shows in the way it casts judgment: sometimes warm, sometimes cold, and often sarcastic.

Want to see more? Tsvetkov’s Atlas of Prejudice is a satirical look at the world that’s become a cult favorite among map enthusiasts. You can buy the book here (Note: this is an Amazon affiliate link).

Got thoughts about these maps? Do you find them funny, offensive, accurate, or way off? Drop your opinion in the comments—just keep it respectful. We’d love to hear how you see Europe (and your own country).