VIDIN - Geography and history
The Northwestern Gate of Bulgaria
Vidin Region is situated in the far northwestern corner of Bulgaria, making it the closest part of Bulgarian territory to Central Europe. It borders the river Danube and Romania to the north, Serbia and Montenegro to the south and west and Montana Region to the East. It comprises 11 municipalities, within which there are 142 settlements. With an area of 3 033 km2, this represents 2.7% of the national territory. It has the smallest population size nationally - 125 158 inhabitants (at the end of 2002) or 1.6% of the national total. With 41.3 inhabitants per km2, the population density is below the national average (70.7 inhabitants per km2). The regional centre Vidin is the largest city in the region, and is home to 57.5% of the region's population.
This part of the country was inhabited in ancient times by Thracian tribes. In the 1st century it was conquered by the Romans, who built the Bononiya Fortress at the site of the present-day city of Vidin. In the Middle Ages the Budin (Bdin) Fortress became the capital of the Bulgarian Vidin Principality which existed till the end of the 14th century. During the period of Ottoman rule, Vidin and its region served as an important military, commercial and manufacturing centre.
The diversity of its relief is due to the presence of parts of the Danube Plain, the Sub-Balkan and the Balkan mountain ranges, while its climate is moderately continental. The rivers flowing through the area (Archar, Topolovets) are small and of no economic significance.
The explored raw materials deposits are of predominantly sedimentary origin, the most important deposit being the gypsum field near the village of Koshava, not far from the city of Vidin. There is a rich variety of marble, clay and sands for building.
Advantageous transport and geographic location
This far-western gateway from Bulgaria to Europe features a number of advantages. Its transport infrastructure is well developed, with rail, road and water transport all utilised, making Vidin one of the most important transport centres in the country. There is also a civil airport in the town of Vidin.
Its geographic location, favourable climatic and soil conditions for agriculture, unique natural landmarks (such as the Belogradchik Rocks, and the Magura Cave), available skilled labour force, and its status as a Duty Free Zone are further advantages. A traditional trade fair of regional importance is held in Vidin every year.
However, the region is characterised by a deteriorating demographic structure and insufficient investment. What foreign investment has so far been attracted by in the region is concentrated in the municipalities of Vidin and Belogradchik. One of the gravest social problems is the unemployment rate, which is the highest in Bulgaria. In 2002 it was equal to 24.4%, compared to a national average of 16.8%.
Reflecting this economic hardship, GDP per inhabitant is amongst the lowest in Bulgaria. It is hoped that the construction of the new bridge on the river Danube near Vidin will enhance its attraction to investors.
Energy needs here are met by 4 small water power plants, and the region relies mainly on the national electric power grid.
Diverse economy
Due to its low birth rate (7.1 per thousand in 2002) and high death rate (21.3 per thousand), the natural population growth was negative in 2002. Infant mortality was equal to 10.1 per 1 000 live births in 2002. The region's population also contains a small group of people of Wallachian (Romanian) origin.
The region's economic base is quite diverse, with industry, agriculture and transport all playing their part. Machine tools engineering, electrotechnical products, the chemical industry, gypsum, wheat, wines and fruit for the domestic market and for export are just some of its products.
Only 1.4% of the total labour force in Bulgaria are resident here (in 2002). The share of employment in the primary sector is well above the national average (43% of total employment in 2000, compared to a national figure of 26.2%), whereas the share of employment in the secondary sector is below the national average (17% compared to 28.3%).
With 586 km of roads (in 2002), the density of 193.2 km per 1 000 km2 is slightly above the national average of 173.7 km per 1 000 km2. In 2001, 33 800 private cars were estimated to have been registered in the region. In recent years some improvement to the environment has been noted due to a reduction in harmful emissions and pollution.
All settlements are provided with water, and the demand for drinking water is fully met. There are several major mineral water springs in the city of Vidin and the village of Slanotrun.
At the end of 2002, the number of telephone posts (including the installed direct, party-line and supplementary telephone apparatus to the settlements' telephone exchanges) was 45 259 of which 89% for households.
In addition to the one regional hospital in Vidin, there are several district hospitals (in Belogradchik and Kula). At the end of 2002, the region counted 414 physicians, 105 dentists and 732 personnel with intermediate level of medical education and personnel graduated in medical colleges with level "specialist".
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