CHICAGO, June 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, now offers full, navigable map coverage of Bulgaria.

By using the latest map data in navigation systems, drivers will now have access to routing along the country's entire road network of nearly 100,000 kilometres. Over 33,000 Points of Interest will guide people not only to the wealth of cultural heritage sites throughout the country, but also to ski centres in the mountains to the west, holiday resorts on the Black Sea coast - and much more in categories such as hotels, railway stations, shops, restaurants and petrol stations.

A crossroads between the East and the West where, throughout history, paths of world civilisations have met, Bulgaria borders no less than five countries. The NAVTEQ(R) map links seamlessly to the road networks in Romania, Serbia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece and Turkey for easy cross border travel.

The map also features many attributes which support efficient navigation including speed limits, stop signs and traffic signals. NAVTEQ Transport(TM) provides the transportation and logistics industries with accurate truck-specific attributes for routing large vehicles on the main road network. The data includes legal, height, width, weight, hazardous materials and time or date restrictions.

Local team - global standards

Every country has individual traits and presents different challenges. In Bulgaria a significant percentage of the terrain is hilly or mountainous and much of the network of smaller roads is very rural in nature. During winter, snow and ice on winding mountain roads proved testing for the Bulgarian team of NAVTEQ specialists who are part of a global group of around 1,100 geographic analysts based in 46 countries. As part of the verification process, the geographic analysts drive millions of kilometres each year refining the database using proprietary software and tools.

We have established a base in Sofia as local presence is a key factor in understanding and incorporating country specific nuances whilst maintaining the company's global specification and high standards: we recognise the importance of local intelligence, commented Frank Pauli, vice president EMEA map content products. For example, as part of the map building process, we collected addresses and names on an unprecedented scale for Bulgaria and the team's contacts proved invaluable in helping us complete this part of the project.

Great strides forward in Eastern Europe

NAVTEQ is committed to developing coverage of Eastern Europe and the Balkans and, in addition to Bulgaria, already has full coverage of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Expansion is continuing in Albania, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, the Ukraine and Romania.

For example, NAVTEQ is continuing to develop its coverage in Romania and now has over 167,000 kilometres of road network in its database. Featuring 62 towns and cities, the map covers the main business and industrial centres plus all the seaside resorts on the Black Sea coast. The map also features many attributes which support efficient navigation including speed limits and driver alerts, as well as NAVTEQ Transport.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data (digital location content) enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world. NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 4700 employees located in 204 offices in 46 countries.

NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Transport are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE: NAVTEQ

CONTACT: Stella Smith of NAVTEQ, +1-312-894-7614, stella.smith@navteq.com;or Bob Richter, +1-212-802-8588, bob@richtermedia.com, for NAVTEQ