TARGOVISHTE - Geography and history
One of Bulgaria's smallest regions
Situated in North-eastern Bulgaria, Targovishte region has as its neighbours the regions of Ruse, Razgrad, Shumen, Sliven and Veliko Tarnovo. It is one of Bulgaria's smallest regions in terms of area, its 2 558 km2 representing only 2.3% of the national territory. Moreover, it is also one the country's smallest regions in terms of population size, with 139 600 inhabitants (in 2002) or only 1.8% of the national total. The region's population density of 54.6 inhabitants per km2 (in the same year) is considerably below the national average of 70.7 inhabitants per km2.
Within its 5 municipalities, there are 196 settlements. The regional centre, the city of Targovishte, is the largest city, followed by the municipal centres of Popovo, Omurtag, Antonovo and Opaka. The regional centre emerged only in the 16th century but by the end of the 18th century it was already an important economic centre. Until 1934, Targovishte City was known under the name of Eski Djumaya.
The region extends over the hilly parts of the Danube Plain, which gives it its undulating relief. The climate is moderately continental. While water resources are scarce, several mineral springs have been found to the southwest of the city of Targovishte. The supply of minerals is also limited, with only deposits of building materials having thus far been detected. The forests are mainly deciduous and the soil types are not very fertile, although they are suitable for tobacco growing.
Potential for agricultural development
The main components for further industrial development are in place here, although they are in need of modernisation. The share of the active population is slightly below the national average (43% in 2002). There is also potential for the development of multi-sectoral agriculture, although to date this has not been fully harnessed. Specific efforts will be required to stimulate agricultural production, including special incentives for private owners.
There is a steady decline in the region's population. The migration of ethnic Turks is causing depopulation of vast areas and is contributing to the disturbing demographic situation.
The most acute problem which the region faces, however, is its high unemployment rate (28.8% in 2002, one of the highest in Bulgaria), therefore the creation of new jobs is of primary importance here. The water shortage causes irrigation problems.
While road density at 205.6 km per 1 000 km2 is higher than the national average of 173.7 km per 1 000 km2 (in 2002), the roads themselves are not in a very good state of repair, particularly in rural areas. The Sofia-Varna railway crosses the region, as does a main road running in the same direction. Part of the national-gas network also runs through here.
Problematic demographic situation
Both a negative rate of natural increase and the migration of ethnic Turks from the region have contributed to the downward trend in the size of Targovishte region's population. Infant mortality at 18.1% (in 2002) is moreover almost the highest nationally. The degree of urbanisation is also lower, with half of the region's inhabitants living in cities, whereas nationally the share of the urban population is just over two-thirds.
The employment rate was 30.6% people in 2002, below the national average. This results in Targovishte region having one of the highest unemployment levels. Consequently, per capita GDP is lower than that generated in most other regions.
Industry is concentrated in the regional and municipal centres, where machine tools engineering and ceramics, together with the wood-working and food and beverages industries, are found.
The share of arable land in the region's overall area (35.9% in 2002) is higher than the national average and a variety of crops are grown here. Particularly important among these are industrial crops (sunflower, tobacco), cereals (wheat, maize, barley), and vines. Agriculture contributes 31.2% to the regional value added, a figure which is substantially higher than the national average of 13.4% (in 2001).
The regional hospital in the city of Targovishte and the municipal hospitals in the cities of Popovo and Omurtag provide 7 beds per 1 000 inhabitants, a figure which is close to the national average. At the end of 2002, the region counted 372 physicians, 67 dentists and 694 personnel with intermediate level of medical education and personnel graduated in medical colleges with level "specialist".
There are general and vocation schools in the regional centre and the municipal centres, as well as in the larger villages.
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 45 698 of which 87% for households.
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