District Montana

Montana Region covers the central regions of Northwestern Bulgaria. It is bounded by Vidin, Vratza and Sofia Regions; to the north it reaches out to the Danube and borders Romania and to the southwest it borders Serbia. The territory of the municipality covers parts of the hilly Danubi an Plain, the fore-Balkan Mountains and of the proper Balkan range.

The landscape is predominantly hilly but in the northern parts it is plain; in the south one can find the higher ridges of the Chiprovtzi-Berkovitsa Mountains and Koznitza.

Water transport is a significant factor for the development of the region. The harbor of Lom is the second biggest river port in Bulgaria after Ruse. The Danube River is connected through the so-called "Europe Channel" with the rivers of Main and Rhine and connects the North Sea with the Black Sea. Some of the bigger rivers crossing the region are the Ogosta, the Lom and the Tzibritza. There are mineral springs near Varshetz and the villages of Zamphirovo, Spanchevtzi and Barziya. T

he Balkan Mountains shelter reserves with age-old spruce trees – Usketo and Gorna Koriya; the protected area of Kopren (with the Kopren ecological path), Mishin Kamak cave, waterfalls.
In the plain part of the region plant growing is well developed, there are favorable conditions for automated tillage and artificial irrigation. Ogosta dam is near Montana – it is one of the biggest artificial lakes in the country.

The area of the Chiprovtzi-Berkovitsa Mountains has been a prominent gold-mining area ever since ancient times. Ore mining was also well developed. The carpet industry developed as a craft in the 17th century. Chiprovtzi carpets are famous for their unique motley colors and design. Typical of them are floral ornaments, the basic colors being winy red, red and dark blue.
There are favorable conditions for development of balneological tourism, ecotourism and water sports. Traces of pre-historic settlements, medieval fortresses and churches were found in the region.