District Haskovo

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Haskovo region is situated in eastarn part of the South-Central Bulgaria. It is bounded by the regions of Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Yambol and Kardzhali. The southeastern boundery of the region coincides with the national border with Greece and Turkey.The railroad and the Sofia-Istanbul international highway together with Trakia (Thrace) highway pass through the region.

The territory of Haskovo region includes the southwestern ridges of the Sakar Mountains and the northernmost spurs of the eastern Rhodopes. The rivers that flow through the area are the Maritza, the Arda and the Sazliika. There are hot mineral water springs in the balneological resorts of Mineralni Bani and Merichlery, in Simeonovgrad and the village of Dolno Botevo. There are favorable conditions for the development of cultural, rural and ecotourism.

The most common occupation of the population is tobacco growing and the chemistry, textile and knitwear industries are also well developed.

The region has been inhabited since ancient times. Along the Maritza River valley traces of human activities were found dating back to the Neolithic, Chalcolythic and Bronze Ages. The oldest facilities built on the basis of the architectonic laws – the dolmens – can be seen the Sakar Mountains and the eastern Rhodopes, together with cult niches cut in the rocks and tombs from the Iron Age. As many as 100 Thracian mounds were excavated in the region – near the villages of Mezek (the 4th century BC), Alexandrovo, near Simeonovgrad, on the land of the villages of Madzharovo, Tatarevo, Valche Pole, Voivodovo, Gorski Izvor. In Roman times the road connecting Europe and Asian Minor passed through the region. In the 7th century the area was inhabited by the Slavs and at the beginning of the 9th century the region was adjoined to the territory of the Bulgarian state. The medieval culture was reflected in cliff churches, towers and temples. In the 18–19th centuries in the vicinity of the village of Uzundzhovo the biggest fair on the Balkans took place – the Uzundzhovo Fair. It was an important linkage for the import of industrial goods from Western and Central Europe to Asia Minor, which was the main place for wholesale trade in agricultural products, rose oil, fur and products made by local craftsmen.

After the Liberation of Bulgaria, under the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin of 1878 the land of the present-day Haskovo area remained in Turkish possession; part of it was given back to Bulgaria in 1885, while another part of it was returned in 1913.

Quick facts about District Haskovo

In Bulgarian (Native transliteraion): Област Хасково
Other transliteration(s): Khaskovo
Region: South-Central planing region of Bulgaria
District: Haskovo district
Latitude: 41.9399986
Longtitude: 25.5690002
Area Size: 5538km2
Population: 246238 people