Plovdiv (in Bulgarian Пловдив) is a province located in the central southern area of Bulgaria, the capital of which is Bulgaria’s second largest city which is also called Plovdiv.
The overall population of Plovdiv County (Oblast in Bulgarian) is 755,570 people and it is administered by eighteen municipalities with an overall area covering 5,973 square kilometers.
Plovdiv is an ancient land and holds Plovdiv city which is one of the oldest cities in Europe, even older than Rome and Constantinople. Because of its rich history dating back to the time of the Thracians thousands of years before the birth of Christ Plovdiv has a wealth of historical monuments and places of interest. At every turn in this wonderful place you will come face to face with history dating from Thracian times through that of the Romans to the present day.
The location of the province means it combines rolling plains with high mountains including the Upper Thracian Plain, the Rhodopes, Sredna Gora, the Sub-Balkan valleys and Stara Planina. The main river in the region is the Maritsa and the highest peak is the mountain called Botev that stands 2,376 metres above seas level. The province of Plovdiv is also home to Bulgaria’s highest and probably most spectacular waterfall, Raysko Praskalo.
Although Plovdiv City is the main city in the province other influential and important towns and cities include Karlovo, Sopot, Klisura, Kalofer, Hisarya, Saedinenie, Rakovski, Brezovo, Stamboliyski, Krichim, Perushtitsa, Sadovo, Parvomay, Asenovgrad, Laki, Katunica and Yiagodovo.
Tourism in the province of Plovdiv is not extensive but is increasing. Because of the province having the second largest city in Bulgaria within its borders the province is seen as an important and driving part of Bulgaria’s economy. The main economy of the region is agriculture with fruits and vegetables being the largest production.
Other large economies in Plovdiv are agricultural machinery in the town of Karlovo, chemical industry and wine and spirits in Plovdiv and Asenovgrad as well as military plants in a few large towns and cities.
