The county of Pazardzhik is situated in southern Bulgaria, in the central part of the Upper-Thracian valley, to the north of the Rhodopa mountain and along the huge valley of Maritza river. The county has a favourable transitive continental climate, characterized by strong summer droughts. The climate is transitive, between the moderate continental climate of the Danube plain and the the transitive continental climate of south-east Bulgaria. The county has plenty of water resources. The main catchment basin is that of the Maritza river and its major tributaries – Topolnitza and Luda Yana rivers. Important water sources are also the subterranean and underground waters. They are direct results from the precipitation and are arranged in several layers of the water-catching underground horizons. The favourable climate and excellent environmental conditions have predetermined the evolution of the town throughout all these years, gradually turning the town into the administrative and industrial centre of one of the most prosperous counties in the Republic of Bulgaria. The whole territory of the county is criss-crossed by vital transport routes of the Republican Route Network. The natural landmark of the town of Pazardzhik is the “Svoboda” isle, in the Maritza river. Now it is used as a recreation park with sport facilities, and is a perfect investment opportunity, for the municipality is trying to turn the park in an thriving entertainment park. The town of Pazardzhik also boasts good bus and railway connections to the rest of the country. It is a major stop on one of the main highways in Bulgaria, namely Sofia – Plovdiv. The county of Batak is situated in the western part of the Rhodopa mountain, on a territory of 667 square kilometres, comprising 15 % of the total area of the Pazardzhik province. Some 90 % of that area is forested. The features of the environment (like untouched nature, varied relief, existence of natural reserves, various natural phenomena, huge water resources, varied flora and fauna) and the location of the town of Batak provide the perfect conditions for the development of hunting, angling, rural, alpine and hobby tourism, as well as excellent opportunities for winter and water sports. Recently the photo hunting has become extremely popular. The county encompasses the villages of Nova Mahala, Fotinovo and the town of Batak itself, deaning as an administrative centre. The total population amounts to 8000 people. The town is located in the western part of the Rhodopa mountain, at the foot of the so called Batashka mountain, at 1036 metres of altitude. The population of the town is 4000 citizens. At this altitude all the typical features of the mountainous climate are manifested. In this area the following reserves are found: Golyam Beglik – on a territory of 415 hectares, overgrown with century-old coniferous trees; Dupkata – under the aegis of UNESCO. The latter is a natural phenomenon of national and world importance with its plethora of rare plants and animals. The dams of Batak, Beglika, Golyam Beglik and Shiroka Polyana are placed in tiers from north to south with an increasing altitude, and are becoming principal tourist destinations in the Batak micro-region. The town of Velingrad has a population of 26 573 people, situated in the beautiful environment of the western Rhodopa mountain at 800 metres altitude and is the largest mineral water resort in the country. It was formed by the unification of three villages: Kamenitza, Ladzhene and Chepino, back in 1948. The town of Velingrad is located in the most splendid part of the western Rhodopa mountain – the Chepino valley, at altitudes ranging from 700 to 1800 metres. The wonderful nature is augmented with the mild and pleasant climate. The sunny days amount to 74 % of the total days in the year. Here the fogs are rare. The county boasts the the longest sunshine during the year. The resort is specialized in medicative treatment of different maladies. In terms of abundance of mineral water and their variety, the town of Velingrad firmly holds the first place in Bulgaria. These requisites have helped the town to become one of the largest balneological resorts in Bulgaria, with a total capacity of some 300 000 visitors and tourists per annum. The town of Velingrad has huge unexplored opportunities as a winter ski resort. Its surroundings are extremely picturesque with rich coniferous and deciduous forests, beautiful glades and crystal clear rivers. The following neighbourhoods are renowned for their splendour – Yundola, Belmeken, Kurtovo, Kladova, Chernovrah and others. Tempting places for anglers and sportsmen are the “Batak”, “Dospat” and “Belmeken” dams. The hunting and game-raising reserves offer excellent opportunities for hunting and angling tourism. The town of Panagyurishte is situated in a small valley in the real Sredna Gora mountain. The population is estimated at 21 228 people. It is located 91 kilometres to the east from the city of Sofia, 43 kilometres to the north of the town of Pazardzhik and 37 kilometres to the south of the village of Zlatitza. The name of the town is of Greek origin, meaning “Honest law-court”. The town of Panagyurishte is the Bulgarian emblem for fighting for national freedom. The town has good communications with the rest of the country via buses and railway. The village of Varvara consists of two parts, the upper part,simply named Varvara, which is also the older one, is situated at the foot of the Rhodopa mountain, on the northern slope, known as Alaback, and the lower part, which came into existence after the railway Pazardzhik – Ladzhene was laid down (Ladzhene is now part of the town of Velingrad), is situated in the Thracian plain in the Chepinska river valley, and is named Varvara railway station. Here the nature and the climate make a rare combination of plain and mountain features, thus offering excellent requisites for development of rural tourism. The local population has adamantly preserved the traditions and customs, one being the famous mummer festivals.
