LOVECH - Geography and history
Between Danube and Balkan mountains
The Lovech region extends over the middle part of the lower Balkan and the northern slopes of the Balkan mountain ranges. With an area of 4 129 km2, it is 3.7% of the total area of Bulgaria. Lovech comprises 8 municipalities and borders the regions of Pleven to the North, Gabrovo and Veliko Turnovo to the East, Plovdiv to the South and Sofia and Vratsa to the West. The relief is predominantly undulating and mountainous. The abundance of natural resources such as limestone and clay has spurred production of bricks, tiles, and pottery. Although the town of Lovech is the main focal point for transport and industry, it is still one of the smallest regional centres in Bulgaria.
In ancient times the region was inhabited by the Thracian tribes. After the Roman conquest of the Balkan peninsula, the territory became a part of the Roman province of Mizia. A medieval castle was built at Lovech on the remnants of the Roman road station at Melta, and one of the main economic and trade centres in the region grew up around it in the 15th to 18th centuries.
The main rivers in the region are relatively small, but this is compensated for by the natural water springs, the largest of which is the well-known Glava Panega. These vast water resources allow the region to supply water to the adjacent region of Pleven. The soil is not particularly fertile and is suitable mainly for fruit growing. However, the soil is more fertile in the river valleys of the northern plains, where crop production is highly developed. The area is densely forested, with forests covering 44% of the territory (in 2000).
Healthy climate, unspoilt nature
The well-preserved nature and healthy mineral water are among the main positive aspects of the region. The environment is relatively undamaged by industrial pollution. One of Bulgaria's largest areas under environmental protection is situated in this region, namely the Central Balkan National Park. The mineral water springs at Shipkovo and Slivek villages, coupled with the mountain resorts of Ribarica, Teteven, and Aprilci, encourage the development of tourism in the region.
Lovech is also noted for its cultural and ethnic heritage. In the majority of the region's towns, architectural monuments of considerable historical and ethnic significance are preserved. Outstanding among the numerous historical and architectural landmarks is the Troyan monastery, which is one of the four main monasteries of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Other cultural attractions are the architectural centre of Varosha and the famous bridge by Kolio Fitcheto, both in the town of Lovech. In 2002, Lovech had 5 museums, 4 cinemas and 2 theatres.
One of the region's weak points is the lack of resources for industry and the high level of unemployment (18.6% in December 2002, compared to a national average of 16.3%). The industrial sector suffers from a lack of investment activity. The completion of the restructuring process of the local economy and the improvement of the region's infrastructure would help to overcome these difficulties in the long run.
The poorly developed road network is another disadvantage of the region. The lack of quality roads, especially in the southern part of the region, is due mainly to the mountainous terrain. Nevertheless, a part of the national road network crosses the region, the Sofia -Veliko Turnovo - Varna highway. In total, there are 748 km of roads (2002 data), with a density of 181 km per 1 000 km2. In comparison to the road network, the rail network performs only a complementary function and the low quality transport infrastructure could be improved through the reconstruction of some major roads.
The lack of land under cultivation is a disadvantage for the development of the region's agriculture, and a proper solution to compensate for this shortage would be to consolidate the existing scattered pieces of cultivated land.
Mixed economy dominated by industry
The region is one of the country's smallest in terms of population, with 165 456 inhabitants (2002 figures), which amounts to 2.1% of the national total. It is sparsely populated as indicated by the population density ratio of 40 at the first of January 2003, which is far below the national average of 71. The urban population comprises a smaller share of the total population than in Bulgaria as a whole. The population of the region is ageing rapidly, the chief factor behind this being the sustained decline in the birth rate. In 2002, it was equal to 8.5 per thousand, whereas the death rate was 17.3 per thousand. The infant mortality rate in the region is slightly higher than the national average. Overall, as with other regions in the country, Lovech suffers from a poor demographic structure and negative natural increase.
The abundance of vast pastures in the lower Balkan and the Balkan mountains favour the development of cattle and sheep breeding. The share of arable land in the region, 16.7% in 2002, is well below the national average of 29.5%. Crops and vines are grown in the northern plain areas, while fruit and potato growing prevail in the mountainous regions.
In 2001, the Gross Value Added represented 1.9% of that of the country. Agriculture had a share of 19.4%, while that of industry was 29.9% and the services were responsible for the remaining 50.7%.
Although the region has a mixed economy, the dominant sector is the industrial one. However, no particular industry could be identified as a leader in the regional economy. Machine building in Lovech and Troian, food industry in Lovech, Troian, and Lukovit, wood processing in Teteven and Troian, cement production in Zlatna Panega, and brick and tile manufacturing in Iablanica are the region's main industries.
Investment is concentrated in Lovech town and in the town of Troian, which are the region's major industrial centres. Compared to the other regions, there is an above average level of foreign investment per citizen here.
Local business is mainly sustained by small and medium sized private enterprises, with small enterprises accounting for 92.8% of the total number. Consequently, the percentage employed in the private sector at 41.4% is higher than the national figure of 31.9%.
Despite Lovech's well-developed industry, the unemployment level of 14.1% in 2002 is above the national average of 16.8%.
The health care sector is relatively well developed. The three district hospitals provide qualified health care to the population. Because of its healthy climate and clean environment there are two specialised tuberculosis clinics based here. At the first of January 2003, Lovech registered 556 physicians, out of which 21% were all-practical, 120 dentists and 882 people with intermediate level of medical education. Taken together, this represented 14% of the staff of the North Central region.
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