Plovdiv General Information
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe, the city is contemporary of Troy. Homer, Herodotus and other ancient authors describe the life, traditions and the rich culture of the Thracians, who are the oldest population in the Balkan Peninsula. Many ancient authors speak highly of the Thrace's wine and honey. The gold and silverware and jewelry found show an exceptional skill and high artistic taste. The Thracians have been brave and freedom-loving people. Spartacus, the leader of the biggest slave uprising in the Roman Empire's history is from Thrace.

Plovdiv is located at 49o9' N and 24o45' E and is at 160 m above sea level. The city spreads over an area of about 53 square km in the Upper Thracian Plain, along the two banks of Maritza River. The favorable climate and the strategic location added to the city's thriving during almost all historical eras.

Plovdiv is center of the Plovdiv Region whose area is six thousand square kilometers. This is 5,4 % of the total territory of Bulgaria. The region comprises the central part of South Bulgaria and is divided into 16 municipalities. There are 715 thousand people living in Plovdiv Region, which is around 10 % of the population of Bulgaria. The proportion of the town-village population is 71.2:28.8 - a high urbanization ratio. The density of the district is 119 people per square km. Plovdiv is the most ethnically diversified region in Bulgaria. 47 % of the population are Bulgarians, the rest are Greeks – 23%, Turks – 20%, Jews – 7%, Armenians – 3%.

Important international routes pass through Plovdiv, which since time immemorial connect the East with Europe, the Baltic with the Mediterranean, Black Sea with Adriatic Sea. The Three European transport corridors passing through Plovdiv are: № 4 (Central Europe – Romania – Sofia – Pazardjik – Haskovo – Turkey – Asia); № 8 (Albania – Macedonia – Sofia – Pazardjik – Plovdiv – Stara Zagora – Sliven – Burgas – Varna); № 9 (Russia – Moldova – Romania – Rousse – Veliko Turnovo – Stara Zagora – Haskovo – Greece/Turkey. The six rock hills give to the city a picturesque beauty that is second to none.

Plovdiv's junction location and the rich cultural and historic heritage, have long ago determined the city as a cultural, commerce, communication and tourist center. The population of Plovdiv City is about 350,000 people. The labor force is about 230 000 people.

The winters in Plovdiv are mild, averaging +5 C; the summers are usually hot and dry averaging 36 C in July.

Administratively Plovdiv is community with six municipalities whose mayors are elected by the Municipality Council. The 51-member "Local Parliament" - the Municipality Council and the Mayor of the Municipality are directly elected.

The functional system of the municipality consists of Mayor and his deputies. Each of the deputies heads directorate - in Plovdiv they are six. There are also Principal Architect, Municipality administration - divided into directorates and a Secretary of the Municipality. They are all elected for a four years term.

The local elections are held every four years and normally do not coincide with the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Plovdiv Economy
The Municipality of Plovdiv plays a significant role in the economy of Bulgaria. The industrial production provides around 62% of the region’s income. More than 500,000,000 EUR have been invested for the last 15 years in construction of modern manufacturing plants. Leading industrial branches forming almost 90% of the industrial net income are: • Production of food and beverage and tobacco products with around 28% from the gross sales income; • Non-ferrous metals – 14%; • Metalworking industry and production of metals and machines – 11%; • Production of chemicals and chemical products – 9%; • Production of cellulose, paper, publishing houses and polygraphs – 8%; • Production and distribution of energy, gas and water – 7.5%; • Production of rubber and plastic articles – 6%; • Production of clothes and tailoring materials – 4%; • Production of articles of non-ferrous minerals – 4%.

More than 40% of the cultivated land is under irrigation, which is one of the highest agricultural developments for the country. The food processing industry is the most important industry for Plovdiv.