Chech (region)
Encyclopedia
Chech or Chechko is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula
in southeastern Europe
in our days Bulgaria
and Greece
. Most of its population inhabits about 60 villages and is almost completely Pomak
.
The Chech region is situated in the much larger region of Macedonia
and covers the western Rhodope Mountains
and the northern slopes of Falakro
with most of its territory in our days Greece
. It is divided in two: Drama Chech and Nevrokopi Chech. The first one and partially the second one is in Greece
.
According to Vasil Kanchov
the eastern border of Chech is the Dospat River
and the western one is the river of Dabnitsa. Thus the Chech comprises the municipalities: Satovcha, Dospat and the villages in the valleys of the Dospat River
and Bistritsa river. Then all villages in the Bulgarian Chech are populated by pomaks except the villages of Satovcha and Dolen which are partially inhabited by Bulgaria
n Christian
s. The villages in the Greek Chech are organized in the Kato Nevrokopi municipality
and in the Sidironero community
. The Pomaki population of the Greek Chech was trade with Turkey
, Western Thrace
and Bulgaria
in the 20s during the refugee exchange after World War I base on nationality origin, religion and language.
in two of his works.
Italics indicates not inhabited settlement as of the 2001 census.
Historical regions of the Balkan Peninsula
This is a list of major historical regions of the Balkan Peninsula. Note that these regions come from different time periods - from ancient to modern era - and may often overlap. National borders have been drawn across those regions multiple times over centuries so usually they cannot be assigned...
in southeastern Europe
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
in our days Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Most of its population inhabits about 60 villages and is almost completely Pomak
Pomaks
Pomaks is a term used for a Slavic Muslim population native to some parts of Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. The Pomaks speak Bulgarian as their native language, also referred to in Greece and Turkey as Pomak language, and some are fluent in Turkish,...
.
The Chech region is situated in the much larger region of Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
and covers the western Rhodope Mountains
Rhodope Mountains
The Rhodopes are a mountain range in Southeastern Europe, with over 83% of its area in southern Bulgaria and the remainder in Greece. Its highest peak, Golyam Perelik , is the seventh highest Bulgarian mountain...
and the northern slopes of Falakro
Falakro
Falakro Oros is a mountain in northern Greece, in the prefecture of Drama, Greece. A ski resort is available...
with most of its territory in our days Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It is divided in two: Drama Chech and Nevrokopi Chech. The first one and partially the second one is in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
According to Vasil Kanchov
Vasil Kanchov
Vasil Kanchov was a Bulgarian geographer, ethnographer and politician.- Biography :Vasil Kanchov was born in Vratsa. Upon graduating from High school in Lom, Bulgaria, he entered the University of Harkov, then in Russia. During the Serbo-Bulgarian War 1885 he suspended his education and took part...
the eastern border of Chech is the Dospat River
Dospat River
The Dospat is a river in the Western Rhodope Mountains, the most important tributary of the Mesta.It takes its source from Bulgaria, from the 1643-metre-high Rozov vrah and flows southeast until Dospat Dam, after which it makes a turn southwest to continue generally to the south and flow into the...
and the western one is the river of Dabnitsa. Thus the Chech comprises the municipalities: Satovcha, Dospat and the villages in the valleys of the Dospat River
Dospat River
The Dospat is a river in the Western Rhodope Mountains, the most important tributary of the Mesta.It takes its source from Bulgaria, from the 1643-metre-high Rozov vrah and flows southeast until Dospat Dam, after which it makes a turn southwest to continue generally to the south and flow into the...
and Bistritsa river. Then all villages in the Bulgarian Chech are populated by pomaks except the villages of Satovcha and Dolen which are partially inhabited by Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s. The villages in the Greek Chech are organized in the Kato Nevrokopi municipality
Kato Nevrokopi
Kato Nevrokopi is a municipality and town within that municipality in the northwest section of the Drama peripheral unit, Greece. Before the 2011 local government reform, it was the largest municipality in all of Greece, covering an area of 873.552 km² . The 2001 census reported a population...
and in the Sidironero community
Sidironero
Sidironero is a village and a former community in northern Drama peripheral unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Drama, of which it is a municipal unit...
. The Pomaki population of the Greek Chech was trade with Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Western Thrace
Western Thrace
Western Thrace or simply Thrace is a geographic and historical region of Greece, located between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country. Together with the regions of Macedonia and Epirus, it is often referred to informally as northern Greece...
and Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
in the 20s during the refugee exchange after World War I base on nationality origin, religion and language.
Settlements of Nevrokopski Chech
The major settlements of the northern part of Chech are enlisted by Vasil KanchovVasil Kanchov
Vasil Kanchov was a Bulgarian geographer, ethnographer and politician.- Biography :Vasil Kanchov was born in Vratsa. Upon graduating from High school in Lom, Bulgaria, he entered the University of Harkov, then in Russia. During the Serbo-Bulgarian War 1885 he suspended his education and took part...
in two of his works.
Settlements in Bulgaria
- Satovcha MunicipalitySatovcha municipalityThe Satovcha Municipality is a municipality in Southwestern Bulgaria and is one of the municipalities in the Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :...
: BogolinBogolinBogolin is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Bogolin is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains a few kilometers away from the border with Greece. The nearest villages are Ablanitsa, Valkosel and Kribul...
, DolenDolen (Blagoevgrad District)Dolen is a village in southwestern Bulgaria, located in the Satovcha Municipality of the Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Dolen is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains...
, FargovoFargovoFargovo is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Fargovo is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :...
, GodeshevoGodeshevoGodeshevo is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Godeshevo is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :...
, KochanKochanKochan is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the municipality of Satovcha, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Kochan is located in mountainous region in Southwestern Bulgaria some 10 km away from the border with Greece in the Chech region...
, KribulKribulKribul is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.Kribul Hill on Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica is named after the village.- Geography :...
, OsinaOsinaOsina is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Osina is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains...
, PletenaPletenaPletena is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Pletena is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :...
, SatovchaSatovchaSatovcha is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is the administrative center of the Satovcha Municipality in Blagoevgrad Province.-Geography:The village of Satovcha is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains...
, SlashtenSlashtenSlashten is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Slashten is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :...
, TuhovishtaTuhovishtaTuhovishta is a village in Southwest Bulgaria, part from Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad.- Geography :...
, VaklinovoVaklinovoVaklinovo is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Vaklinovo is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :...
, ValkoselValkoselValkosel is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad District.- Geography :The village of Valkosel is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :...
, ZhizhevoZhizhevoZhizhevo is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the Satovcha Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province.- Geography :The village of Zhizhevo is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It belongs to the Chech region.- History :... - Dospat MunicipalityDospat MunicipalityThe Dospat Municipality is a municipality in southwestern Bulgaria and is one of the municipalities in the Smolyan Province.- Geography :It covers the southwestern Rhodope Mountains. 8 settlemements belong to the municipality with a total of 10 536 inhabitants .- Settlements in the municipality :...
: BrashtenBrashtenBrashten is a village in southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the municipality of Dospat, Smolyan Province.- Geography :The village of Brashten is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains...
, Ljubcha and TsranchaTsranchaTsrancha is a village in southwestern Bulgaria. It is located in the municipality of Dospat, Smolyan Province.- Geography :The village of Tsrancha is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains. It is situated in the Chech region.- Religion :... - Garmen MunicipalityGarmen MunicipalityGarnen Municipality is situated in the southeastern part of Blagoevgrad Province in Southwestern Bulgaria.It is a rural municipality, composed of 16 villages. The seat is the village of Garmen,but the most populated village is Ribnovo...
: Dolno Drianovo, Hvostiane, Krushevo, OresheOresheOreshe is a village in the municipality of Garmen, in Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria.-References:... - Hadzhidimovo Municipality: Ablanitsa, BeslenBeslenBeslen is a village in the municipality of Hadzhidimovo, in Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria.-References:...
, BlatskaBlatskaBlatska is a village in the municipality of Hadzhidimovo, in Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria.-References:...
, TeplenTeplenTeplen is a village in the municipality of Hadzhidimovo, in Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria.-References:...
Settlements in Greece
- Drama municipality: Kastanohoma (Zarnovitsa), Mirsinero (Pepelash)
- Nevrokopi municipality: Agios Petros (Peruh), Agriokerasea (Izbishta), Ahladomilea (Debren), Delta (Vitovo), Diplohori (Dablen), Eklisaki (Manastir), Erimoklisia (Kolyarba), Katahloron (Rakishten), Kremasta (Lozna), Kritaristra (Kashitsa), Lakouda (Gorna Lakavitsa), MavrohoriMavrochori, DramaMavrochori , until 1927 known as Tisovo , is an abandoned village in the Drama Prefecture, Greece.-Geography:Mavrochori is situated in the Chech region on the South-Western slopes of the Rhodope Mountains, about 1,5 km south of the Pochan River near the border with Bulgaria. The nearest populated...
(Tisovo), Melisomandra (Maloshijtsa), Mesovuni (Siderovo), Milopetra (Mazhdel), Mikroklisura (Dolna Lakavitsa), Mikromilia (Ustitsa), Perasma (Stranen) Pochan, Poliliton (Sarchan, Staredzik), Potami (Borovo), Psihron (Kosten), Shurdilovo, Virsan (Vrashten), Vrahohori (Boren) - Sidironero community: Dobryadzil, Evrenes (Pulovo), Kainchen, Kalikarpo (Lovchishta), Kesariano (Ruskovo), Klista (Kolyush), Kokino (Barhovo), Limon (Rashovo), Magnisio (Grazhdel), Oropdeio (Vladikovo), Papades (Popovo selo), Plakostrato (Glum), SidironeroSidironeroSidironero is a village and a former community in northern Drama peripheral unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Drama, of which it is a municipal unit...
, (Osenitsa), Skaloti (Liban), Stavrodromi (Orhovo), Voskotopi (Verdzhenitsa, Drazhenitsa), Vounohori (Pribojna), Vrahotopos (Kalchovo)
Italics indicates not inhabited settlement as of the 2001 census.