ABOUT PLOVDIV

Bulgaria is in the heart of the busiest and historically the most reliable transport and communication junction in Europe, a natural cross-road between the West and the East, between Europe and Asia. Plovdiv is the second biggest Bulgarian city, situated in the most prosperous region of the country, not only in terms of natural resources and economic output, but also in terms of cultural and historical heritage. The favorable climate and the strategic location contributed to its progress during all historical eras. The six rock hills give to the city a picturesque beauty that is second to none. Plovdiv is a town that has had the extraordinary destiny to witness many historical turning points. Its 8000 years of history make the city contemporary of the human civilization and one of the most ancient cities in the world. The venue was first opened for competitive events in 1988. The population of Bulgaria is 7,093,635 (July 2011 est.). The city of Plovdiv has a population of approximately 560,000 including the suburbs.