NBTA - New Balkan Tours Agency

NBTA - New Balkan Tours Agency
The local houses are unique for Bulgaria. Today’s Smolyan is a modern economic, cultural and tourist centre. The favourable climate and mountain charm make ...

The mountain is about 80 km long and up to 40 km wide. The most beautiful and of definitely Alpine character is the relief of the northern part of Pirin. Forty peaks rise at a height of more than 2,600 m. The climate of Pirin results from the high altitude above sea level and the dominating air masses coming from south-west and west. Its average height above sea level is 1,487 m, and its total area is 2,629 sq. During the Pliocene the mountain was covered with glacier several times. The lower boundary of everlasting snow was about 2,000 m above sea level. As a result the today’s glacier exaration shapes have been obtained, namely troughs, cirques, collars. From the Timok river valley up to Emine horn on the Black Sea coast the length of the mountain range is 555 km. Its width in the eastern part is up to 50 km and it occupies about 10 % of the territory of Bulgaria. The highest elevation is Botev peak, 2,376 m above sea level. The average altitude above sea level is 795 m. The relief of the mountain from west to east is structured by chains and folds which have been further shaped by the external earth forces. There are predominantly beech and oak tree forests. The tourism infrastructure in the Balkan Range is very well developed. However, it is closely related to that of the Fore-Balkans. There are more than 100 tourist huts, homes and shelters in this mountain system.RHODOPESThe Rhodopes are a huge mountain massif in the Balkan Peninsula. The mountain, buried in age-old forests and greenery, is cut up by a complex, labyrinth-like system of valleys. The length of this huge mountain range is 240 km from west to east and 100 km from north to south. The highest peak is Golyam Perelik, 2,191 m and the average altitude above sea level is 785 m. Climate is formed under the climatic influence of the Mediterranean Sea. The average annual temperature in Western Rhodopes is 5-90 C and in Eastern Rhodopes it is considerably higher. The thick snow cover lies over the western parts of the mountain for about five months.The Rhodopes have been inhabited since the dawn of European civilization and are famous for their legends and myths, cultural and folk traditions. Homer called this vast land “The snowy mountains of the Thracians”. Tourism is developed well here and the mountain hotels and huts have hospitably opened the doors for visitors. Straddling the river Cherna, it is surrounded by centenarian forests and lofty cliffs reflecting in the clear waters of the Smolyan lakes.Smolyan has had an eventful history. The local houses are unique for Bulgaria.Today’s Smolyan is a modern economic, cultural and tourist centre.The favourable climate and mountain charm make the Smolyan area the perfect place for holiday and recreation during all seasons.