VARNA - Geography and history
The maritime heart of the country
Varna Region, with the city of Varna as its administrative centre, is situated in Northeastern Bulgaria. Within its 12 municipalities, there are 158 settlements. With a total area of 3 820 km2, representing just 3.4% of the national territory, Varna Region ranks among Bulgaria's medium-sized regions. It borders Bourgas Region to the south, Shumen Region to the west, Dobrich Region to the north and the Black Sea to the east.
In population terms, Varna Region's 460 001 inhabitants (in 2002), equivalent to 5.9% of the national total, make it the 3rd largest of Bulgaria's 28 regions. The average population density at 120.4 inhabitants per km2 in 2002 is well above the national average (70.7 inhabitants per km2). Although the natural population growth was negative in 2002, as the death rate (12.0 per thousand) is higher than the birth rate (9.3 per thousand), this trend is less marked here than elsewhere in Bulgaria, and the age structure of the population is somewhat better than the national situation. Infant mortality (12.6 per thousand in 2002) is under national average, and the urban population accounts for over three-quarters of all inhabitants.
The relief is undulating. It extends over several plateaux and contains a number of archaeological landmarks, including the Halcolite necropolis, which is over 8 000 years old. In the 6th century BC, the Greeks colonised the Black Sea littoral and founded the settlement of Odessos (present-day Varna). During the period of Ottoman rule, the city and the region functioned as an important manufacturing, trade and military centre.
The climate is moderately continental with some influence from the sea. The major rivers are the Kamchiya and the Provadiyska.
Explored mineral deposits comprise quartz sand, rock-salt, limestone, manganese ore, natural gas and the mineral springs at Varna.
Advantageous geographical location
Varna region has an advantageous geographical location, situated as it is on the Black Sea. Climatic conditions are favourable for the development of resorts and for many types of recreational activities. The resort complexes of Zlatni Pyasatsi (Golden Sands), St. Konstantin and Elena, numerous holiday homes and camp sites have been built along the Black Sea littoral. The natural phenomenon known as Pobitite Kamani is also situated not far from Varna. Furthermore, fertile soils along the littoral encourage agricultural production. Varna region also possesses a skilled labour-force and opportunities for attracting foreign investment and implementing cross-border co-operation with countries in the Black Sea-Caspian Sea basin. The transport infrastructure is also reasonably well developed.
Nevertheless, as a result of the ongoing restructuring of industry and agriculture, the number of unemployed people has grown. Since 1995, there has been a clear trend that the size of the population is decreasing. Some environmental problems have been noted in and around the industrial complex at Varna-Devnya.
A number of landslides have occurred along the coast recently, which suggests a serious unfavourable natural process has set in which may require either extensive coastal defence works to protect against erosion or reconsideration of land use in this fragile zone.
Developed industry and famous resorts
Varna region has its own power generation capacity and the utility company Varna TPP is one of the largest in the country. British Gas has also discovered petroleum deposits in the region. Any regular exploitation of this resource should meet the city's demand for many years ahead.
Industry is represented by machine tool engineering and metal processing, ship-building and ship-repair, the chemical industry, food and beverages production, cement production and the textile industry. Till now, the region has been one of Bulgaria's largest recipients of foreign investment. Capital investment has already been made by Belgium, Turkey and other countries.
Arable land accounts for 44.3% of the total area (in 2002), with the main crops being cereals, fruit and vegetables, viticulture, and oil-bearing crops. Stock-breeding is very diversified.
The age structure of the population is quite favourable compared to national average, as the relative share of population below the age of 25, equal to 29.7% of the total population (in 2002) is above the national average, while the share of population above the age of 65, equal to 14.6% of the total population, is below the national average. Some 6.5 % of the total Bulgarians labour force are employed here (2002 data), and the unemployment rate of 15.1% in 2002 is below the national average.
Varna Region's 711 km of roads (of which 58 km are highways) give a density of 186.2 km per 1 000 km2 (in 2002). Among the major roads are the Rousse-Kaspichan-Varna and Sofia-Targovishte-Varna roads as well as the panoramic highway Constanza-Varna-Bourgas-Istanbul. The first railway line in Bulgaria, built in 1886 from Varna to Rousse, crosses the region, as does the Sofia-Gorna Oryahovitsa-Varna line. Varna is an international commercial port with specialised berths and a ferry port from Varna to Ilychovsk (Ukraine). One of Bulgaria's three international airports is located in the city of Varna.
All settlements are connected to both electricity and water networks. In addition to primary, secondary and vocational high schools throughout the region, Varna city has three universities (medical, economic and technical) and one military navy college. Media and cultural activities are centred here too.
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 188 449 of which 82% for households.
Medical services are provided by several hospitals, more than 140 clinics, health centres, and spas. At the end of 2002, the region counted 1 912 physicians, 332 dentists and 2 280 personnel with intermediate level of medical education and personnel graduated in medical colleges with level "specialist".
During the school year 2002/2003, there were 28 829 students and 2 129 teachers in colleges, universities and equivalent higher schools.
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