With its standard language, shared culture, and state tradition the Bulgarian nationality has existed for more than 13 centuries. It developed over the centuries as an amalgamation of Thracian, Slavic and Bulgar /Proto-Bulgarian/ tribes. About 15 million people of Bulgarian origin live around the world. The population of present-day Bulgaria amounts to about 8 million. Ethnic Bulgarians, together with ethnic Turks, Gypsies, Albanians, Jews, Armenians, etc., have formed the Bulgarian nation. By their appearance, Bulgarians could hardly be distinguished from any other European living in the Mediterranean region.
