Blagoevgrad
The municipality of Blagoevgrad is located in the southwestern corner of Bulgaria and covers an area of approximately 628 km2, on which Blagoevgrad itself and 25 adjacent villages are situated. The region of Blagoevgrad includes parts of three of the biggest Bulgarian mountains - Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes and is well known under the name of Pirin region. The city of Blagoevgrad is the major city in the region and one the most important economic and cultural centers in Southwest Bulgaria. The main international routes connecting Bulgaria with Greece and Bulgaria with the Republic of Macedonia pass through it. Blagoevgrad also allows easy access to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia (approximately 100 kilometers to the north) and to all towns in the region.
The region around Blagoevgrad has abundant natural resources. The Blagoevgrad area is part of the region, known as "Pirin" which is characterized by its unique geographic location, physical beauty of the surrounding mountains, and rich flora and fauna. Three majestic mountain ranges grace the plain -- the Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes. Picturesque lakes and roaring rivers provide the region with pure, fresh spring water. The names of the local rivers Bistritsa, Glazene, Struma and Mesta echo in the songs and the folklore of the region. The Blagoevgrad municipality has an ample supply of pure mineral water, river systems and lush mountain forests. The landscape is varied and beautiful. The physical characteristics combine to make Blagoevgrad the largest and most important town in southwestern Bulgaria. It is an important cultural, administrative, and industrial center for the entire southwestern part of the country.