Yambol is a town standing on the banks of the Tounda River. It dates back to Roman times when it was called Dianapolis. The town boasts Roman baths, a medieval fortress, the Saint George Church of 1737, the Saint Nicholas the Miracle Maker Church, the Roofed Market (Bezistena) of the 16th Century, Churshoum Pazar and the Eski Mosque. In the vicinity of the town, is the famous archeological sight, Kabile, which remains one of the few Thracian towns that existed in pre-Roman times.

In the village of Kabile you can visit the Birth of the Holy Virgin Convent. Fifteen kilometers to the southeast is the Bakadjika locality and the Saint Alexander Nevski Monastery founded in the 19th Century.

ECONOMIC AND GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTIC
The Middle parts of Tundja valey spread over the most of the district. The hilly plain relief predominates - 100 - 150m above the sea level. The North areas of Tundja valey are characterized by trans-continental climate while the south parts have typical continental - Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperatures are 12-12,50 C. The Tundja River, the fourth of its size with an earth embankment, flows through the district. Mineral water wells are found near the village of Stefan Caradjovo.
Agricultural lands take 76.9 % of th whole district territory and the forests - 15.5 % of it. The wood resources include elm-tree, yoke-elm, willow, poplar, oak tree

POPULATION
The permanent district population till 31.12.1999 comes to 167 649 and comprises 2% of the country population. The town residents are 109 514 and the village inhabitants are 58 135 (65,32% town population and 34,68 village population). The towns Yambol, Elhovo, Straldja and Bolyarovo function as essential economic, transport and communal centres.

INDUSTRY
Yambol district industry relies on considerable capacity of various branches. The existing industrial enterprises have preserved good production capacities with all facilities functioning and highly- qualified staff employed. The town industrial zone has been gas supplied. The industrial field of the district involves the following branches: Food, wine and tobacco industry, machine-building and metal -working industry, chemical, textile and dress - making industries. 52 enterprises with foreign participation have been registered till 31.12.1999. The expansion and development of small and medium- sized private enterprises play big role in the industrial development of the region and the economic processes acceleration. The key target is reconstruction of the existing industrial potential drawing national and foreign investments to guarantee the stable production increase, the renovation of the final products in order to raise their competitive ability in the home and foreign markets.

AGRICULTURE
The total area cultivated land in Yambol county is 258039,2 hc, as having been estimated till 31.12.1999, with irrigation and drainage systems built on it. The region is known as one of the biggest producers of agricultural products in the country. The main crops grown are bread and fodder wheat, barley, maize, sunflower, grapes, industrial crops. Lifestock is mainly used for production of meat (pork and beef) and milk (cow and sheep). The possibilities for future rapid development of agriculture lie in the increase of the number and quantity of vines, brewing barley, the cattle breeding for milk production, in binding the invesments made in food, wine and tobacco industry with investments in agriculture, in timely renewal and expansion of technically equipped systems, building a new forage store-house etc.

FORESTRY
Forest areas take 16,5% of Yambol county territory. Annual afforestation of 6900 hc new forest has been planned. There are all facilities available to promote game shooting tourism. There are eight shooting lodges built. The perspectives in the forestry development are building a game shooting holiday - house.

HISTORIAL PAST
The town is famous for its history dating from ancient times. The archaeological findings are related to the year 6000 BC. to the time of Roman Emperor Diocletian reign when the castle, called Diospolis, was built with location of the present modern town. The best preserved historical sites, dating back to XV century are the bazar "Bezisten" and the mosque "Esky Djamia" that have been restored and are functioning at present. The town has another contribution to the world progress - Yambol is the native place of the artist of world popularity George Papazov and John Popov. The computer inventor - Joh n Atanasov has family roots in the district.