SHUMEN - Geography and history
Cradle of the Bulgarian State
Shumen region extends over parts of the Eastern Danube Plain as well as over the Lower-Balkan and Balkan mountain ranges, making its relief predominately hilly to mountainous. Its area of 3 390 km2 represents 3.1% of Bulgaria's total area. It is divided into 10 municipalities, the main ones being Shumen and Veliki Preslav and 151 settlements.
The region has a population of 201 890 (2002 data), equivalent to 2.6% of the national total. With a density of 59.6 inhabitants per km2, this is slightly below the national average of 70.7. The ethnic composition of the population comprises mainly Bulgarians and Turks in almost equal proportions, while in addition there are some Romanians also living here.
Some 1300 years ago, in 681, the first Bulgarian state was founded in this location. The first two capitals of the state, Pliska and Veliki Preslav, were situated here. Significant archaeological remains of both cities are an important feature of Bulgaria's cultural heritage.
The climate is moderately continental. The Golyama Kamchiya River is the most significant river in the region. It is on its upper reaches that the Ticha Dam has been constructed, which is of great importance for the region's water supply. There are a number of mineral springs near the city of Vurbitsa, and around the village of Marash.
A wealth of raw materials
The region possesses a rich wealth of kaolin and quartz sand, which form the basis of some major production lines in the regional economy. Bulgaria's few manufacturers of aluminium products and freight trucks are located in Shumen. There is also a solid manufacturing and technological base.
Furthermore, wine and brandy are produced in Veliki Preslav, both of which are famous far beyond the boundaries of Bulgaria.
There are a number of protected areas and sites here, including the national archaeological ruins of the first Bulgarian capitals, Pliska and Veliki Preslav, as well as the ancient Bulgarian rock bas-relief, known as the Madara Rider. These sites, which are under the protection of UNESCO, represent rich potential for cultural tourism.
Unemployment is the major problem which the region faces, while in the municipality of Kaolinovo, where open-cast mining of kaolin used to be undertaken, the damage to vast agricultural areas is the heaviest burden. Water shortages in some municipalities ranks also among the unresolved problems of the region. The road network is in poor condition, particularly in some mountainous areas, which hinders regular transport connections between settlements in winter.
Mixed economy dominated by processing industry
The natural population growth was negative in 2002 in Shumen region, although the birth rate (9.3 per thousand) is higher than the national average and the death rate (14.5 per thousand) is slightly over the corresponding average.
In 2002, the labour force in the region is 2.5% of the national total, and the employment rate was 34.2%, which is below the Bulgarian average. The unemployment rate, equal to 28.2% in 2002, is above the national average of 16.8%. Per capita GDP is below average and foreign investment per inhabitant is substantially below average.
Industry plays a leading role in the regional economy. It accounts for 21.0% of the regional value added (in 2001). One of the most important enterprises is Alumina Ad-Shumen, which manufactures aluminium products. Porcelain is manufactured in Novi Pazar and Kaspichan, and there are brewery and tobacco companies in Shumen. Arable land covers 42.5% of the region's area (in 2002) and cereal crops, vines and vegetables are all grown here.
The Sofia-Varna and Ruse-Varna railways cross the region, as do the Sofia-Varna, Ruse-Varna and Ruse-Karnobat-Bourgas highways. With 591 km of roads, this gives a similar road density figure to the national one (in 2002).
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 63 497 of which 86% for households.
The University of Shumen is situated in Shumen City and there are another 156 educational establishments throughout the region. During the school year 2002/2003, there were 6 634 students and 652 teachers in colleges, universities and equivalent higher schools.
Medical services are provided by seven hospitals and 116 polyclinics. At the end of 2002, the region counted 607 physicians, 95 dentists and 1 201 personnel with intermediate level of medical education and personnel graduated in medical colleges with level "specialist".
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