PLOVDIV - Geography and history
The heart of Thrace
Plovdiv region is situated in the heart of Bulgaria, and is bordered by the regions of Pazardjik, Smolyan, Kardjali, Haskovo, Stara Zagora, Lovech and Sofia region. Within these boundaries it covers an area of 5 973 km2 or 5.4% of the national territory. The region is divided into 18 municipalities, within which the regional centre of Plovdiv (the second biggest city in Bulgaria by population size) and the towns of Assenovgrad and Karlovo stand out among the region's 16 main towns.
In 2002, the total population of the region was 712 702 inhabitants or 9.1% of the national total. Both in overall population terms and by population density (119 inhabitants per km2) Plovdiv Region was among the largest regions.
The region extends over parts of the Balkan mountain range, Sredna Gora, the Rhodopes and the Upper Thracian lowlands, therefore its relief may be said to be varied in character.
In former times this area was inhabited by Thracians who founded many settlements, the most prominent being Evmolpias, the site of today's Plovdiv. Under Philip of Macedonia's rule the city was called after him, before being changed to Pulpudeva by the Slavs. In the Middle Ages many of these settlements grew into important trade and manufacturing centres, including Philibe (the other name of present-day Plovdiv), and Stanimaka (present-day Assenovgrad).
The climate is moderately continental with traces of a mountainous climate in the highland areas.
The deepest Bulgarian river, the Maritsa and many of its tributaries run through the region. Thermal mineral water springs occur at Hissarya, and Narechenski Bani. Alluvial-meadow and humus soils are characteristic for the lowlands, plains and valleys of the region.
Mineral resources are of a more limited variety. Those of significance are lead-zinc ore (Laki municipality) and deposits of building materials.
Advantageous location, developed economy
A major positive feature of Plovdiv region is the considerable human resource in terms of quantity and level of professional qualification. It is also a major academic centre, with numerous educational establishments. The solid research potential of the city of Plovdiv is a further indisputable advantage of the region.
Another regional advantage is its well-developed economy with a strong services sector. Furthermore, the region enjoys a low unemployment level compared to the national average. A duty free zone plays an important role in the regional economy. The only international trade fair nationally is held here, creating further opportunities for future economic development.
Major roads of national and international importance cut through the region, and the crossroads location of the region makes it a natural economic and transport centre for South Bulgaria. It has a powerful economic impact on most of the regions in this part of the country. This circumstance, coupled with the existing broadly diversified infrastructure, is an important prerequisite for the attraction of foreign and local investors. 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 251 562 of which 85% for households.
The principal problems in the development of the region so far are related to the consequences of restructuring its industry and the agrarian sector. The existing specialisation of certain manufacturers to one or two product lines limits the capacity for flexible technological and product restructuring under present market conditions. The problems in the agrarian sector refer to the slow recovery of the region's position in rice, fruit and vegetable growing.
A potential problem is related to the misbalances in the development of the intercity industrial agglomeration of Plovdiv-Assenovgrad-Stamboliyski-Pazardjik, as well as the lack of inter-regional coordination on the implementation of projects such as the southern Bulgarian irrigation canal.
Several environmental hot spots of soil, air and water pollution have been identified within the region.
Processing industries and well-developed agriculture
While a certain ageing of the population has been noted, the age structure is fairly positive, with the population under 25 amounting to 29% of the total population (in 2002) compared to 17% aged 65 or higher. The birth rate of 8.5 per thousand is in line with the national average, while the death rate of 13.4 per thousand is just below it. Infant mortality at 16.9 per thousand live births is above average. Worth mentioning is the slightly higher than average life expectancy figure (71.3).
The region produces 7.5% of the national GDP (2000 data), which is the highest share among the regions. Services contribute more than a half to the regional value added (53.8% in 2001), while agriculture holds the smallest share (14.5%).
A distinctive feature of the regional economy is the variety of industries, the major ones being perfumery and cosmetics, the chemical industry, fur and leather industry and textile and knitwear. The major industrial centres with long-standing traditions are the cities of Plovdiv, Assenovgrad, Karlovo, Stamboliyski, Parvomay, Sopot, and Laki (mining industry).
The agrarian sector is concerned with intensive crop growing, such as cereals, fruit, vines, and tobacco. Specific features of agriculture in the region are rice growing in the municipality of Maritsa, and rose growing in the municipality of Karlovo. Arable land covers 32.6%of the area of the region (2002 figures).
The unemployment level (15.5% in 2002) is amongst the lowest rate amongst the Bulgarian regions. The employment level per 1 000 inhabitants in working age (between 15 and 65) at 521 people (in 2000) is just below average. The services sector is the major employer with 43% (in 2000), followed by industry and agriculture.
Parts of the roads of European corridors No. 4 and No. 8 will be constructed on the basis of the existing sections of the Trakiya and Maritsa highways, while other sections are pending construction. There were 1 087 kilometres of roads in the region (5.6% of the national average), representing a road density of 182 kilometres/1 000 square kilometre (2002 figures).The region also has an airport.
Major components of the business infrastructure of the region are the Plovdiv International Fair and the duty free zone in the city of Plovdiv. The city of Plovdiv is a university centre with one university and six other higher educational establishments. During the 2002/2003 school year, there were 23 570 students in colleges and universities, out of which 91% were at University or equivalent higher schools. Furthermore, 2 900 teachers were registered, representing 70% of all the teachers registered in the South Central region.
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