Location

Haskovo region is situated in central part of South Bulgaria and its territory extends on 5 543 sq. km. or 5% of the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The region includes 261 populated areas, organized in 11 municipalities – Haskovo, Dimitrovgrad, Svilengrad, Lubimets, Harmanli, Madzharovo, Simeonovgrad, Ivaylovgrad, Topolovgrad, Mineralni bani and Stambolovo. The population of Haskovo region is 270 096 people, which represents 3.46% of the country’s population. In the cities lived 70.6% of inhabitants and in the villages 29.4% of inhabitants.

Haskovo region is characterized with favorable mild climate, beautiful clear nature and unique flora and fauna. The relief is varied, the territory of the region includes parts of the Upper-Thracian lowland, as well as East Rhodope and Sakar mountain. The water resources of Haskovo region formed mainly from Maritsa river and its feeders – Harmanliyska, Varbitsa and Byala rivers. Arda river pass through a part of the region. It is the biggest river in Rhodope Mountains. A large part of the region’s territory /about 38%/ is presented by forests. In the higher parts there are coniferous trees.

transport

Favorable factor of the region is regional and national border with two neighboring countries – Greece and Turkey. Two key transcontinental roads cross the territory of Haskovo region. The first road connects West and Central Europe with Istanbul and Asia, the second one – North Europe with Mediterranean. The distance from Haskovo to the Greek and Turkish border is about 60 km., to Sofia – 230 km., and the entire road network is 1 882 km.

history

The lands of Haskovo region are a cradle of a rich and ancient culture. The Thracians, the legions of the Roman empire, the Slavs and the proto-Bulgarians have left an imprint, but also and all the nationalities, that lived at these lands.
There are vestiges from the early Neoliths and the New stone age near the mound “Chavdarova cheshma”, Simeonovgrad municipality and the mounds near Dimitrovgrad and the villages Bulgarin, Dinevo, Pyasachevo, Bolyarski izvor ets.
The gravestone Thracian mounds, the numerous complexes of sanctuaries, the necropolises, the fortresses and the dolmens in Sakar Mountain and in the Eastern Rhodopes are all bright proofs of the active presence of Thracian population at these places. The monumental cupola tomb near Mezek village and the big tomb, covered with wall paintings near Alexandrovo village, dating back to the 4th century BC, are evidence of exceptional high culture of the population, living in the area of that time.

economics

Haskovo is described as region with good developed structure, good market traditions, a skilled labour and comparatively good developed sector of small and big enterprises.
The big companies in that region are major movable strength of the local economy, while others small companies contribute to the success of business environment and for create optimum conditions for accelerated development. For progress of industry in Haskovo region is approve of private companies which are created with Bulgarian capitals and they find good realization at the world and home market.

Natural landmarks and historic monuments

Haskovo

1. Natural landmark: Field  of snowdrop
2. Natural landmark: Boaza
3. Thracian  domical  vault – village Aleksandrovo
4. Church of the Virgin Mary – town of Haskovo
5. The oldest mosque  - town of Haskovo
6. Paskals house
7. Shishmanov's house
8. Hisarya fortress of the Middle Ages
9. Asenova fortress – village  Klokotnitsa

Dimitrovgrad

1. Preservation area Zlato pole is the only one of the damp zones along Maritsa River, it is oasis for  rare flora and fauna and animals species
2. Nymph Sanctuary – Thracian sanctuary at village Kasnakovo
3. Drag down marsh between villages Golyamo Asenovo and Byal Izvor

Svilengrad

• In 1525 a bridge was built over Maritsa River. It connects both parts of Svilengrad and is one of the most remarkable monuments in Southeast Europe. It is declared national monuments and is under the protection of UNESCO. The bridge is 300 m long, 6 m wide has 20 arches
• Medieval castle at the Kaleto area
• Thracian tomb near Mezek village dating the centuries II-III BC.
• The medieval Bulgarian necropolis in Svilengrad
• The rock churches in Mihalich and Matochina  villages
• The Thracian hill

Mineralni bani

1. Well kept reserve Boraka  in village Sarnitsa
2. Natural sights in the municipality – the rock formations Orlova  skala in village Sarnitsa
3. Protected place  Aida in village Spahievo
4. Natural sights in the municipality  - the rock formations Ogledalnata skala
5. Natural sights in the municipality – the rock formations Pobit kamak
6. Remain of the old castle Kaleto
7. Remains of the Thracian time are the Sharapanite

The pictures are taken from www.haskovo.bg