Location

Plovdiv region is located in the central South Bulgaria. It is the fourth biggest region in Bulgaria. Plovdiv region is divided into 18 municipalities. City of Plovdiv is the biggest municipality with 340 000 inhabitance. The smallest is town of Laki with 4 100 inhabitance. Over 70% of the inhabitance is located in the region administrative centre - city of Plovdiv.

Transport

All international main roads that connect Bulgaria with the rest of the world pass through the region. The main thoroughfares connecting Eastern Bulgaria with Western Bulgaria are here, as well as the highways Trakia and Maritsa, and the roads to Rodopi Mountain and the Turkish border. An operational railway and bus transport go through the district. A duty-free zone, Customs, cargo and passenger airport are in service to the district inhabitance.

Economics

The nice climate and geographical location give excellent possibilities for economical development in the region. The agriculture of the region benefits from Maritsa river and its tributaries.

Plovdiv is a main agricultural-industrial region in Bulgaria. It has a big diversity of industries that help the development and wealthness of the inhabitance. The biggest part in the industry success has the food industry. After it are electrical and thermo energy production, machinery construction, cellulose-paper production, wood production and treatment.

Another important direction is the balneology. About 30km away from city of Plovdiv is town of Hisar. It is a national balneological centre. With national significance is the balneological resort - Narechenski bani. It is suitable for treatment of the nerve system.

Education

Six universities are functioning at the moment - Plovdiv University, Agricultural University, University of food technology, Academy for music and dance, Medical university, Technical University /Plovdiv branch/.

Tourism

A lot of historical and cultural sights traditionally attract tourists from al over the world. Close to town of Asenovgrad is Bachkovski Monastery, one of the most popular old monasteries with essential historical significance in Bulgaria. One of the few left Medieval fortresses on our lands is Asenova fortress. In a small valley in the South-eastern part of Sredna gora is set town of Hisar. It is famous with its healing mineral springs. The thermal formation in Hisar consists of 22 springs. The hottest springs are Parilikite and Momina banya. Balneological complexes, sanatoriums and relaxation houses are built. Plovdiv region is well-known for its many Thracian tombs. They are unexpendable treasury that provide lots of surprises to the archaeologists that explore them. The most famous one is Kazanlashka tomb. It is of world significance, acknowledged by UNESCO. The unique archaeological excavations of the Thracian culture attract a lot of tourists not only from Bulgaria, but from abroad. At about 10-12km away South from city of Plovdiv is the splendid Rodopi Mountain. The close proximity to the the city and the easy access, make the mountain a preferred place for relaxation and tourism.

Internet websites: http://www.pd.government.bg/en/index.php