Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It is major industrial, commercial, cultural, communication, tourist and transportation centre. The city is situated in the central part of Southern Bulgaria, in the flat Upper Thracian Plain, along both banks of Maritza River. Not far away from Plovdiv are the beautiful Rhodope Mountains. The climate is mild with Mediterranean influence, with hot summers and mild winters.
The population of Plovdiv and surroundings and is about 450,000 people. The city is the administrative, economic and cultural hub of Plovdiv Region. Plovdiv, which has originated as a settlement around seven syenite hills, is one of the most fascinating European towns. The favorable climate conditions as well as the good geographical location have contributed to its ascending development from the remote past until modern times. The city has preserved extremely valuable cultural monuments from the Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Bulgarian Revival coexisting in harmony with contemporary culture.
Plovdiv Region occupies a leading position among 28 administrative territorial units, in which the Republic of Bulgaria is divided, due to its important functions and its role in the development of the country.
The region of Plovdiv has been existing and developing as a key division of the national territory and as a small part of the Balkan Peninsula and the European domain.
Main features of Plovdiv Region:

- Situated in the central part of Southern Bulgaria, 130 km southeast of the capital Sofia, within thirty minutes drive from three different mountain ranges and just 2.5 hours from the seaside.
- It is also one of the biggest transport junctions in the country and on the Balkans. Main European motorways and railroads cross the region: The international motorway E 80-Belgrade-Sofia-Plovdiv-Istanbul runs close to the town, CE-70 railroad connecting West Europe with Far East and Asia and being part of the transcontinental transport corridor London - Calcuta.
- The key location in the geographic centre of Bulgaria ensures very good transport links (motorway and railway) to all parts of the country. Plovdiv International Airport (Krumovo) is situated in the immediate vicinity of town and operates national and international flights. The Black Sea Port of Bourgas is relatively near at a distance of 280 km, while the ports of Istanbul are 380 km away.
- The territory amounts to 11,585 sq. km.
- The most densely populated region in Bulgaria - 1.206.400 residents
- The most numerous qualified workforce - 9% of the region's population
- Very high hydropower potential
- One of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria
- The second largest university centre in the country - 6 higher education institutions
- Well-developed light and heavy industry
- Traditional agricultural centre providing excellent conditions for farming and stockbreeding
- Open to the national economic priorities the Balkans, Europe and Asia
- Availability of the complete variety of quality resources and prerequisites for the development of highly competitive productions
- Offering conditions and potentials for R&D and innovation activities
- Good communications, public power and water utilities and infrastructure
- Renowned cultural centre with long standing traditions, abounding and valuable archaeological finds and historical heritage
- Implementation of investment projects in the field of transport, ecology, water and power supply, social assistance and healthcare, cultural and historical heritage totally amounting to 150 million.
Plovdiv is the administrative and economic centre of Plovdiv Region, whose area is six thousand square kilometers (5,4 % of the total territory of Bulgaria). The region comprises the central part of South Bulgaria and is divided into 16 municipalities.- Plovdiv, Assenovgrad, Karlovo, Maritza, Rodopi, Hissar, Parvomay, Stamboliiski, Krichim, Perushtitza, Sadovo, Laki, Rakovski, Bresovo, Saedinenie, Kaloyanovo. There are 730 thousand people living in Plovdiv Region, which is 9 % of the population of Bulgaria. The proportion of the town-village population is 71,2:28,8 - a high urbanization ratio. The region covers 1/7 of the arable land in Bulgaria and 12% of the durable tangible assets. Along with the advanced industrial sector, Plovdiv Region provides excellent conditions for the development of diversified agriculture and stockbreeding.
Plovdiv is an industrial and commercial hub. It is the centre of a well-developed industrial region with 62 enterprises of national importance. A key characteristic feature of industry is its diversity. Plovdiv-based companies are active in 16 industrial sectors. The industrial production provides around 62% of the region's income. 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-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%. Several industrial areas of different capacity and specificity operate within the territory of the city.
Plovdiv plays a significant role in the economy of Bulgaria. Based in the city are also a Free Trade Zone and a Customs Terminal, Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Commodity Exchange as well as other economic subjects.
Plovdiv is famous for the prestigious International Plovdiv Fair, the largest in Southeast Europe. Its pavilions expect exhibitioners and guests from all over the World. It is a great industrial event and is taking place twice a year, between May 6-11 and September 23-28. The Fairground is the largest exhibition site in the Balkan region. It is situated on area of 360,000 sq. m. The exhibition complex consists of 24 multifunctional pavilions best equipped for the arrangement and display of all kinds of exhibits. The exhibition area amounts to 95,000 sq. m., the indoor area is 60,000 sq. m. The Fair attracts enormous interest-in 2004 over 7,000 companies from all over the world participated as exhibitors.
Plovdiv's unique location on the ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, almost a contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures. They call it 'The Cultural Capital of Bulgaria', 'The town of the Seven Hills ' , Philipopolis , Trimontcium,- so many names for one town-Plovdiv.
Remains of ancient, mediaeval, revival and modern culture coexist to make Plovdiv a synonym of Bulgarian history and a genuine world city. The Ancient Theatre, the most impressive edifice of Roman time, was excavated during reinforcement works at the southern fortress wall. It offered almost 7 000 seats once. Nowadays it is used for staging opera and theatre festivals, concerts, municipal celebrations, etc. Spread over three of the hills, the Renaissance town of Old Plovdiv was built during the 19th century. Old Plovdiv is an autonomous area within the modern town with a municipality of its own. It is declared an architectural museum reserve with over 150 monuments of culture - houses from the National Revival period. Walking around Old Plovdiv, visitors enjoy the steep, cobbled streets and lanes with bow-windows and eaves above them. Its magnificent houses are turned into museums, galleries, workshops, restaurants, and pubs.
But Plovdiv is not just a city rich in cultural monuments and traditions-it is also a modern, vibrant urban centre. Shopping opportunities are abundant with the biggest crowds taking the wide pedestrian shopping street in the city's center. There, as well as on every side street you'll find charming restaurants with great food and affordable prices. Food is of top quality as Plovdiv is the center of the main agricultural region of Bulgaria. The city also offers quality entertainment in the way of theatres, concerts and cinema, as well as many opportunities for sport activities.
The mixture of ancient history and heritage, and modern infrastructure and lifestyle makes Plovdiv a place where the visitor can sample virtually all facets of life and culture not just of Bulgaria, but also of the Balkan region. The place where the Past and the Present walk together hand in hand creating an unique and glamorous atmosphere .
You can see the civilization-beautiful parks , large modern buildings and all the technologies of the 21th Century and then...You make just one step and you enter the Past-narrow cobblestone streets and fascinating , old houses from the time of the Bulgarian national revival. From the top of the hills you can see the Rhodope Mountain . A legend says that Orpheus was playing on his lyre to search for his beloved Eurydice. Nowadays it is the great ski-resort Pamporovo with all extras you need , clean air and beautiful nature. All these features gathered in one and the famous spa-resort Hissar make the town of Plovdiv and the area one of the most desirable places for living.
Homer, Herodotes and other ancient authors describe the life, traditions and the rich culture of the Tracians, 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.
Nowadays Plovdiv is considered as the fastest growing real estate market in Bulgaria. This is something that foreign buyers of property in Bulgaria appreciate the most. The potential of the town together with the constantly rising prices makes buying property in Plovdiv one of the best investments that one can make these days. There are many strategic real estate properties someone can invest in and earn a fortune. Now is the right time to invest in property in Plovdiv