Haskovo Province is a district in Bulgaria, located in the
southern part of the country, which borders Greece and Turkey.
On the territory of the Haskovo region there is the Kapitan
Andreevo border crossing, the Kapitan Petko Voivoda border
crossing - Ormenion and the Ivaylovgrad - Kiprinos border
crossing. The district occupies about 5% of the country's
territory with an area of 5,543 km2 - parts of the Eastern
Rhodope Mountains and the Upper Thracian Plain, as well as part
of the Maritsa River. The administrative center of the district
is the city of Haskovo, and its population, according to data
from the 2021 census, is 211,565.
The postal codes of the settlements in the Haskovo region
are from 6300 (for the city of Haskovo) to 6599. Its vehicle
code is X.
Municipality of Dimitrovgrad
Bodrovo, Brod, Briast, Velikan,
Voden, Varbitsa, Golyamo Asenovo, Forest Spring, Dimitrovgrad, Dlagnevo,
Dobrich, Dolno Belevo, Zdravets, Zlatopole, Kasnakovo, Fortress, Krum,
Malko Asenovo, Merichleri, Radievo, Raynovo, Svetlina, Skobelevo,
Stalevo, Stransko, Chernogorovo, Yablekovo
Municipality of
Ivaylovgrad
Beli Dol, Belopoltsi, Belopolyane, Boturche, Brusino,
Bubino, Bialgradets, Vetrushka, Vis, Glumovo, Gorno Lukovo, Gornoseltsi,
Gorsko, Gugutka, Dolno Lukovo, Dolnoseltsi, Drabishna, Zhelezari,
Zhelezino, Ivaylovgrad, Kazak, Kamilski dol, Karlovsko, Kobilino,
Kondovo, Konnitsi, Kostilkovo, Lambuh, Lensko, Mandritsa, Meden beech,
Nova livada, Odrintsi, Oreshino, Pashkul, Plevun, Planinets, Pokrovan,
Popsko, Pastrook, Rosino, Sborino, Svirachi, Siv denets, Slaveevo,
Sokolentsi, Khuhla , Cherni rid, Chernichino, Lachuliga
Lyubimets
municipality
Belitsa, Vaskovo, Valche Pole, Georgi Dobrevo, Dabovets,
Jerusalem, Lozen, Lyubimets, Malko Gradishte, Oryahovo
Municipality of Madjarovo
Borislavtsi, Gaberovo, Golyama Dolina,
Gorni Glavanak, Gorno Pole, Dolni Glavanak, Dolno Sadievo, Efrem,
Zlatoustovo, Madzharovo, Malki Voden, Malko Bryagovo, Malko Popovo,
Rumelia, Ryzhenovo, Selska Polyana, Senoklas, Topolovo
Municipality of Mineralni Bani
Angel voivoda, Boyan Botevo,
Briastovo, Vinevo, Karamantsi, Kolets, Mineral baths, Sirakovo,
Spahievo, Sesam, Sarnitsa, Tatarevo
Municipality of Svilengrad
Varnik, Generalovo, Dervishka mound, Dimitrovche, Kapitan Andreevo,
Kostur, Levka, Lisovo, Matochina, Mezek, Mihalich, Mladinovo, Momkovo,
Mustrak, Pashovo, Pastrogor, Ravna gora, Raikova mound, Svilengrad, Siva
reka, Sladun, Studena, Chernodub , Shield
Simeonovgrad
Municipality
Dryanovo, Kalugerovo, Konstantinovo, Simeonovgrad,
Navesen, Piaschevo, Svirkovo, Troyan, Tyanevo
Municipality of
Stambolovo
Balkan, Byal Kladenets, Vodentsi, Voivodenets, Gledka,
Golobradovo, Golyam Izvor, Dolno Botevo, Dolno Pole, Dolno Cherkovishte,
Zalti Bryag, Zimovina, Kladenets, Kralevo, Lyaskovets, Majari, Malik
Izvor, Popovets, Pchelari, Patnikovo, Rabovo, Svetoslav , Silen,
Stambolovo, Tankovo, Tsareva Polyana
Municipality of Topolovgrad
Bulgarska Polyana, Vladimirovo, Dobroselets, Captain Petko Voivoda,
Kamenna Reka, Knyazevo, Marmor, Oreshnik, Orlov Dol, Planinovo,
Prisadets, Radovets, Sakartsi, Svetlina, Sinapovo, Srem, Topolovgrad,
Ustrem, Filipovo, Hlyabovo, Chukarovo
Harmanli Municipality
Biser, Bogomil, Bolyarski Izvor, Branitsa, Bulgarin, Varbovo, Dositeevo,
Dripchevo, Ivanovo, Izvorovo, Kolarovo, Leshnikovo, Nadezhden,
Ovcharovo, Oreshets, Oster Kamak, Polyanovo, Preslavets, Rogozinovo,
Slavyanovo, Smyrnentsi, Harmanli, Cherepovo, Cherna Mogila , Shishmanovo
Municipality of Haskovo
Aleksandrovo, Bryagovo, Voivodovo,
Vglarovo, Garvanovo, Golemantsi, Gorno Vojvodino, Galabets, Dinevo,
Dolno Vojvodino, Dolno Golemantsi, Elena, Zornitsa, Klokotnitsa,
Knizhovnik, Kozlets, Konush, Koren, Krivo Pole, Ljubenovo, Malevo,
Monastery, Dairy, Maslinovo, Momino, Nikolovo, Nova Nadezhda, Orlovo,
Podkrepa, Rodopi, Stamboliyski, Stoykovo, Teketo, Trakiets, Uzundzhovo,
Haskovo, Shiroka Polyana
The first settlements on these lands were organized by the Thracian tribes during the late Bronze Age. Archaeological excavations have revealed remains of fortified settlements that date back to the 5th century BC. from the era of the Thracian kingdom. In the 1st century, the area was under the control of the Roman Empire. At the end of the 4th century, after the division of land ownership of the Roman Empire, the area passed into the Eastern Roman Empire. In the 8th century, the area was conquered by the First Bulgarian State and the town of Haskovo was built; a city that was supposed to have fortification functions and at the same time secure the main road that runs through the area. The city was part of the defensive fortresses of the empire.
It is located in the eastern part of the Thracian lowland, along the river Maritsa. To the east it reaches the foot of Sakar mountain, and to the west and northwest to the northern hills of the Eastern Rhodopes. The region includes 261 settlements organized into 11 municipalities - Haskovo, Dimitrovgrad, Svilengrad, Lyubimets, Harmanli, Madzharovo, Simeonovgrad, Ivaylovgrad, Topolovgrad, Mineralni Bani and Stambolovo.
The climate in the area is extremely favorable, as it is under the influence of the Mediterranean. It is especially emphasized in the southern part of the district and along the Arda River - in Ivaylovgrad, Lyubimets, Madzharovo, etc. It is characterized by mild winters and non-permanent snow cover, hot summers - temperatures often reach 40˚ C. Spring comes early - at the beginning of April, and autumn is longer and warmer. Droughts are common in summer.
In the field of industry, the region of Haskovo has the potential for
the development of both the textile, tailoring, food industry and
mechanical engineering traditional for the region, as well as high-tech
production. The industry is characterized by a well-developed industry
structure, well-established market traditions, a skilled workforce and a
relatively well-developed sector of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Conditions favoring investment in production activities on the
territory of the district are:
The existing material base -
currently unused buildings, premises and workshops, which, after
reconstruction and making the necessary investments, can be used for
offices and production purposes;
The availability of qualified labor.
The good vocational schools in the region and the branches of the UNSS
and the University of Veliko Tarnovo, located in the city of Haskovo,
guarantee a high qualification of the workforce;
The good level of
the infrastructure serving the business - telecommunication services
(including mobile communications and Internet delivery), electricity and
water supply, transport infrastructure;
The good level and reasonable
prices of the delivery of other services for business (banking and
insurance services, legal and financial consulting, accounting services,
etc.);
The traditional production of large quantities of vegetables,
fruits and tobacco is a good prerequisite for the development of
winemaking, canning and tobacco industries.
Agriculture is one of the leading industries for Haskovo region and
creates employment for a large part of the population. In the district
there are extremely favorable soil and climatic conditions for the
development of crop production. The moderate Mediterranean climate along
the Maritsa river valley is an important factor for growing a wide
variety of agricultural crops. One of the best quality grape varieties
in the country - merlot - is grown in the district. The soil conditions
are also favorable for the cultivation of tobacco and cereals. The
region is known for the production of greenhouse vegetables - tomatoes,
cucumbers, etc., and is also a traditional producer of watermelons and
melons. Strategic strengths for investing in agriculture are:
The
availability of free arable land that can be leased, as well as the
possibility of renting equipment for cultivating the land;
Good
opportunities for investments in viticulture and fruit growing - there
are large vineyards and fruit orchards;
The suitable terrains, labor
and warehouses, as a prerequisite for the development of ecological
agriculture - cultivation of herbs, spices, mushrooms and essential oil
crops;
Issuing certificates for ecologically clean production, which
will stimulate the development of organic farming;
The proximity of
the "Neokhim" plant, specializing in the production of chemical
fertilizers, as well as the well-developed network for the distribution
of preparations for agriculture;
Climatic conditions in the region,
favoring the cultivation of oriental and large-leaf tobacco, which is
the main livelihood for the population in many of the villages of the
Haskovo region;
Traditions in the field of gardening. On the
territory of Haskovo region, investments can be made to restore the
mulberry plantations
On the territory of the Haskovo Region, there are the following types
of medical facilities for outpatient care:
Diagnostic
consultation center - 2 units;
Medical center – 19 units;
Medico-dental center - 1 unit;
Group practices - 16 of which: 5 -
PMP, 5 - PDP, 3 - SDP and 3 - SMP;
AIPPMP – 165, AIPPDP – 234, AIPSMP
– 261;
Medical-diagnostic laboratories - 16 units;
Medical-technical laboratories - 39 pieces;
Hospice - 2 pieces.
Hospital medical care in the district is provided by 11 medical
institutions:
6 hospitals: MBAL AD Haskovo, MBAL EOOD "St.
Ekaterina" Dimitrovgrad, MBAL EOOD Harmanli, MBAL EOOD Svilengrad,
SBALVB EOOD Gr. Topolovgrad, SBALVB EOOD Lyubimets,
1 private
hospital MBAL "Hygia";
4 dispensaries in the process of conversion
The historical facts and the rich culture of the Haskovo region,
combined with the well-developed The historical facts and the rich
culture of the Haskovo region, combined with the well-developed
transport and tourist infrastructure, are a favorable factor for the
development of tourism. An important part of the area are the healing
Haskovo mineral baths. Resort activity in them is yet to come, as the
region has traditions in the field of resort and spa activities. Haskovo
and its surroundings enjoy a rich cultural and historical heritage. The
medieval fortress of Hisarya-Haskovo and the Aseno fortress near the
village of Klokotnitsa are located in the district.
Dolmens,
cromlechs and menhirs, rock tombs, niches, pools, etc. are
characteristic of the region. Very often they are found united in
impressive cult complexes. The local population's belief in the power of
these holy places was so strong that they continued to be venerated in
later ages. One of the most interesting megalithic monuments: near the
village of Dolni Glavanak, Gluhite kamani near the village of Malko
Gradishte, near the village of Pchelari, near the village of Hlyabovo,
near the village of Ovcharovo (the only Thracian menhir preserved on
Bulgarian lands).
Another well-preserved monument of medieval
fortress construction is the Lyuitsa fortress, located 6 km west of
Ivaylovgrad.
The fortress near the village of Mezek (about 75 km
southeast of the town of Haskovo) is one of the best-preserved medieval
fortresses in our country.
A beautiful monument from the period
of Roman rule is the Roman villa "Armira" located near Ivaylovgrad.
A Thracian tomb in the village of Alexandrovo, northeast of the town
of Haskovo, has wall paintings from the second half of the 4th century
BC.
Its geographical location on the border with Greece and Turkey is
extremely favorable and represents an important factor for the
development of cross-border cooperation in the region. Two international
roads pass through the district. The first connects Western and Central
Europe with Istanbul, and the second - Northern Europe with the
Mediterranean. Near Svilengrad, one of the municipalities in the
district, is one of the main border crossing points in Bulgaria, through
which the road to Turkey and Greece passes.
Excellent bus and
rail connections through the territory of Haskovo municipality to the
entry-exit border points of Bulgaria facilitate successful trade with
Greece and Turkey.and