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South-Western Region Profile

   Area and geography: an area of 20306,4 sq.m. It is second by territory among all planning regions in Bulgaria. It has five administrative districts - Sofia-city, Sofia region, Pernik, Kiustendil and Blagoevgrad, which include 52 municipalities in total. Its north boundaries are the regions of Montana and Vraca and the region Lovec. On east the frontiers are regions Plovdiv, Pazardjik and Smolian. The south and west borders of the Southwestern region coincide with the national border. The south border is with Greece. The west border is with Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia. Thus, on its territory pass many important national highways and three of the international transport corridors.

   Climate: The climate in Southwestern Bulgaria is determined by the air-currents from the Mediterranean and the high mountains surrounding the region. Winters are much milder than in the North regions of Bulgaria. Summer temperatures are usually moderate, but they may reach the extremes of 39o C. Autumns are mild and pleasant in this region. The multi-coloured forests in the autumn add to the picturesque landscape. Autumn showers in principle are more frequent than in spring. May, October, and November are the rainiest months.

   History: The rich history of the Southwestern region determines its important and leading role through the centuries. The region’s history is related to ancient Thracian settlements in the present district of Blagoevgrad. Moreover, the town itself was an important roadside fortress in the past. During the second half of 18th and the beginning of the 19th century the Southwestern region developed as a big centre of craftsmanship and commerce. After the Berlin Treaty, a part of the region remained within the borders of Turkey and for this reason it turned into the cradle of resistance and people’s unity.

   Population: At the end of 2003 the population reaches 2 110 037 people, or 27 % of the total of the country. In 2003 the natural growth is - 4,9‰, while the medium for the country is - 5,7‰. The structure of the city centers includes the capital – Sofia, three large cities with population over 40 000 people (Blagoevgrad, Pernik, and Kustendil) and three with population over 25 000 people (Dupnica, Sandanski, Samokov, and Petrich).

   Employment rate: The coefficient of employment of the population is with the highest value in the country - 49,1% in the second quarter of 2004.

   Unemployment rate: The level of unemployment in the region during the second quarter of 2004 is 9,3% and it is the lowest for the country. But still there are some municipalities where the unemployment is 35%.

   Distribution of employment: The Southwestern region has the highest percentage of the labour force in the field of services - 72,6%. Less people work in the agricultural sphere due to the recent priority development of the heavy industry. The employment is mostly oriented to textile, clothing, food and beverages industries. This is a consequence of the establishment of small and medium-szed enterprises in these fields. The employment in the tourist and trading sector is also high.

   Industry: Well-developed machine production, metal products; ferrous and non-ferrous metals; chemical products and fibres; machines, equipment and reliable technics; food and beverages and textile industry. The mining industry and the production of electricity are also presented in the region.

   GDP: The Southwestern region has the biggest contribution for the forming of the national GDP, as in 2002 it formed 39% from the total GDP. The net income from sales of the enterprises in the non-financial sector of the economy is 44 996 mil. leva during 2003 or about 45% of the total for the country.

   Development of the regional economy: Most important for the economic development of the region are the fields of lignite and brown coal, iron-ore and copper ore, marble and pits for building materials.

   Infrastructure and urban development: The settlement network in the Southwestern region includes 953 settlements. The road infrastructure (including three international transport corridors) is well-developed ensuring fast and reliable access to the main inhabited areas. Modernization of the railway transport and reconstruction and expansion of the air transport are under way. The development of the communications is defined by the leading role of the capital in the technical introduction of modern communications.There is also a great potential in the region for production of pure (green) energy from alternative sources – geothermal and hydro energy, biomass, wind and solar energy etc.

   Environment: The territory of the Southwestern region is contaminated by the action of various polluters such as different enterprises from the heavy industry. Nevertheless, the environmental conditions are constantly improving. The air quality fixed norms are maintained. There is high availability of water resources from Struma, Mesta, and Iskar rivers. Hydrothermal resources are widely presented in the planning region and are used for development of balneology, medicative tourism, greenhouse production, geothermal heating, bottling of mineral water. The Southwestern region is also rich in various types of soil, which is crucial for cultivating perennial plants. Despite some environmental problems, correspondent with the worldwide environmental deterioration, the biodiversity of the region is advantageous for its development.

   Protected territories and landmarks: The region fully comprises in its territory two of the three national parks, Rila National Park and Pirin National Park, and minor part of the third one. In addition, on the territory of the Southwestern region are located 19 preserves, 7 protected places, 70 landmarks.

The region can be seen as beneficial in relation to its economic development and the concentration of governmental institutions, financial and research institutes, international organizations, and large foreign investors in Sofia. The presence of unique nature, rich cultural and historic heritage, good climate, strategic geographical location of the Southwestern planning region, and the strong industrialization predetermine the importance of the region in the development of the tourist sector in Bulgaria.
The concentration of highly educated population (due to the well-structured academic and research infrastructure) in the region, and in particular, in the regions of Sofia city and Blagoevgrad, is a condition for the growth of investments and development of high technological production. The educational structure of the employment shows superiority of labour force with specialized secondary education (35,5%) and university education (33,3%).
There are certain conditions which can further make the region technological and innovative center. The emphasis is on the development of the applied studies and the business sector, encouragement of the public-private partnerships for development of high technological business and transfer of technologies. Most of all, more investment in the development of this region is a crucial initiative.

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