Vratsa Province
Encyclopedia
Vratsa Province is a Bulgaria
n province
located in the northwestern part of the country, between Danube river in the north and Stara Planina mountain in the south. It is named after its main town - Vratsa
. As of December 2009, the province has a population of 196,829 inhabitants, on territory of 3,619.7 km².
of 243,036 according to a 2001 census
, of which were male
and were female
.
As of the end of 2009, the population of the province, announced by the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, numbered 196,829 of which are inhabitants aged over 60 years.
The following table represents the change of the population in the province after World War II
:
Religious adherence in the province according to 2001 census:
, Byala Slatina
, Mezdra
and Kozloduy
, and 116 local post offices. They offer universal post services including express mail and international courier services EMS, SKYPAK and DHL
. In the town of Vratsa there are branch offices of Mobiltel
, Globul and Vivatel. The water supply system was envisaged to be improved and sewerage was mostly built, but there is a program for modernization all over the province, including the smaller villages. The nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, in the northern part of the province, is the major supplier of electricity in Bulgaria.
. The distance to the major cities is as follows: Vratsa - Varna 414 km, Vratsa - Plovdiv
217 km; Vratsa - Pleven
108 km; Vratsa - Burgas
416 km. The international road E79 passes through the province. The major European port and ferry complex Oryahovo
-Bechet
, on the river Danube, is situated in Oryahovo municipality.
.
and one medical college exists in the province. The vocational schools have their main disciplines mostly in agricultural techniques, mechanics and electrotechnics, chemical technologies, civil engineering and construction, language school and mathematical secondary school. The total number of primary schools in the province is 54, 14 of them situated in the municipality of Vratsa and all state-owned. There is only one private school, Europe Schools for English Language and Management.
of international importance, and the Vratsa Gorge near the town of Vratsa.
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 province
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
located in the northwestern part of the country, between Danube river in the north and Stara Planina mountain in the south. It is named after its main town - Vratsa
Vratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
. As of December 2009, the province has a population of 196,829 inhabitants, on territory of 3,619.7 km².
Municipalities
The Vratsa Province contains ten municipalities (singular: oбщина, obshtina - plural: oбщини, obshtini). The following table shows the names of each municipality in English and Cyrillic, the main town (in bold) or village, and the population of each as of December 2009.| Municipality | Cyrillic | Pop. | Town/Village | Pop. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borovan | Борован | 6,107 | Borovan Borovan Borovan is a village in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is the administrative centre of Borovan municipality, which lies in the central part of Vratsa Province... |
2,646 |
| Byala Slatina | Бяла Слатина | 27,104 | Byala Slatina Byala Slatina Byala Slatina is a town in Northwestern Bulgaria. It is located in Vratsa Province. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 12,433 inhabitants.-External links:*... |
12,433 |
| Vratsa | Враца | 75,842 | Vratsa Vratsa Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants.... |
61,011 |
| Kozloduy | Козлодуй | 22,269 | Kozloduy Kozloduy Kozloduy is a town of 13,871 inhabitants in northwest Bulgaria, located in Vratsa Province, on the river Danube. The city was liberated from Ottoman rule on 23 November 1877 by the Romanian Army under the command of the Imperial Russian Army... |
13,934 |
| Krivodol | Криводол | 10,460 | Krivodol Krivodol Krivodol is a town in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is the administrative centre of Krivodol municipality, which lies in the western part of Vratsa Province, halfway between Vratsa and Montana and 130 kilometres north of Sofia... |
3,282 |
| Mezdra | Мездра | 22,622 | Mezdra Mezdra Mezdra is a town in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is located on the left bank of the Iskar River just north of its gorge through the Balkan Mountains.... |
10,896 |
| Miziya | Мизия | 7,466 | Miziya Miziya Miziya is a town and municipality in Vratsa Province, northwestern Bulgaria near the Danube river. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 3,354 inhabitants.... |
3,354 |
| Oryahovo | Оряхово | 12,314 | Oryahovo Oryahovo Oryahovo is a port city in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is located in a hilly country on the right bank of the Danube, just east of the mouth of the river Ogosta, a few more kilometres downstream from where the Jiu flows into the Danube on Romanian territory. The town is... |
5,400 |
| Roman | Роман | 7,342 | Roman Roman, Bulgaria Roman is a town in northwestern Bulgaria near the city of Pravets and about 90 km northeast of the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. It is located in Vratsa Province and is known for the big steel factory, producing 100,000 tons of steel a year. The raw materials come from the Kremikovtsi factory... |
3,157 |
| Hayredin | Хайредин | 5,303 | Hayredin Hayredin Hayredin is a village in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is the administrative centre of Hayredin municipality, which lies in the northwestern part of Vratsa Province... |
1,584 |
Demography
The Vratsa province had a populationPopulation
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 243,036 according to a 2001 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, of which were male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
and were female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
.
As of the end of 2009, the population of the province, announced by the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, numbered 196,829 of which are inhabitants aged over 60 years.
The following table represents the change of the population in the province after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
:
Religious adherence in the province according to 2001 census:
| Census 2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| religious adherence | population | % |
| Orthodox Christians | 229,452 | 94.41% |
| Muslim Muslim A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable... s |
4,223 | 1.74% |
| Roman Catholics | 1,116 | 0.46% |
| Protestants Protestantism Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the... |
394 | 0.16% |
| Other | 995 | 0.41% |
| Religion not mentioned | 6,856 | 2.82% |
| total | 243,036 | 100% |
Gas, water, electricity and telecommunications
The regional road system consists of 1277 km of the republican road system. Predominating are the 4th class roads. Their maintenance and control are under the responsibilities of the municipalities. The rehabilitation of these roads is a priority of the regional policy. Mezdra is a key railway station connecting the major cities in Bulgaria. The passenger's transport is ensured by 116 buses and 26 trolleys. The telecommunication network consists of 4 regional post stations - VratsaVratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
, Byala Slatina
Byala Slatina
Byala Slatina is a town in Northwestern Bulgaria. It is located in Vratsa Province. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 12,433 inhabitants.-External links:*...
, Mezdra
Mezdra
Mezdra is a town in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is located on the left bank of the Iskar River just north of its gorge through the Balkan Mountains....
and Kozloduy
Kozloduy
Kozloduy is a town of 13,871 inhabitants in northwest Bulgaria, located in Vratsa Province, on the river Danube. The city was liberated from Ottoman rule on 23 November 1877 by the Romanian Army under the command of the Imperial Russian Army...
, and 116 local post offices. They offer universal post services including express mail and international courier services EMS, SKYPAK and DHL
DHL
DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
. In the town of Vratsa there are branch offices of Mobiltel
Mobiltel
Mobiltel , commonly known as M-Tel , is the first and largest GSM mobile phone operator in Bulgaria. M-Tel was founded in March 1994 by Mr...
, Globul and Vivatel. The water supply system was envisaged to be improved and sewerage was mostly built, but there is a program for modernization all over the province, including the smaller villages. The nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, in the northern part of the province, is the major supplier of electricity in Bulgaria.
Roads, railroads and airports
The administrative capital of the province is Vratsa in the southern parts, about 116 km from SofiaSofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
. The distance to the major cities is as follows: Vratsa - Varna 414 km, Vratsa - Plovdiv
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia with a population of 338,153 inhabitants according to Census 2011. Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC; it is one of the oldest cities in Europe...
217 km; Vratsa - Pleven
Pleven
Pleven is the seventh most populous city in Bulgaria. Located in the northern part of the country, it is the administrative centre of Pleven Province, as well as of the subordinate Pleven municipality...
108 km; Vratsa - Burgas
Burgas
-History:During the rule of the Ancient Romans, near Burgas, Debeltum was established as a military colony for veterans by Vespasian. In the Middle Ages, a small fortress called Pyrgos was erected where Burgas is today and was most probably used as a watchtower...
416 km. The international road E79 passes through the province. The major European port and ferry complex Oryahovo
Oryahovo
Oryahovo is a port city in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province. It is located in a hilly country on the right bank of the Danube, just east of the mouth of the river Ogosta, a few more kilometres downstream from where the Jiu flows into the Danube on Romanian territory. The town is...
-Bechet
Bechet
Bechet is a city in Dolj County, Oltenia, Romania, on the river Danube, opposite the Bulgarian city of Oryahovo.- External links :*...
, on the river Danube, is situated in Oryahovo municipality.
Workforce
The economically active population is 48,892, employed as follows: in the services sector - 27,685, in the industry - 19,020, in the agriculture - 2,187. The population has increased since the year 2000, and are mostly in private labour employment. The rate of unemployment is higher than the Bulgarian average, and the aim of the provincial policy is to implement programs to resolve this problem. The labour force distribution in the basic economic sectors is the following - in the industry - 38.9%, in the agriculture - 4.5 % and in services - 56.6%. The decrease of the number and relative share of the employees in the public sector is matched by an increase in the private sector. The proportion of workforce in state and private sectors is 44.2 % to 55.8%. The higher level of education stipulates a higher employment rate. In the province predominates the number of employees of secondary education. On the labour market, the number of specialists of higher education decreases in favour of those without education. The average salary level for the province is 297 levsBulgarian lev
The lev is the currency of Bulgaria. It is divided in 100 stotinki . In archaic Bulgarian the word "lev" meant "lion".It is speculated that Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union will adopt the Euro in 2015 .- First lev, 1881–1952 :...
.
Current priority industry sectors
The natural peculiarities of Vratsa Province contribute to the development of agriculture, lumber industry and electricity production. Major companies are the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, of national importance; Chimco AD - fertilizer factory, Beloizvorski cement - cement factory and brewery; Ledenika AD - joint stock company; Centromet AD - centrifugal casting; Vratitsa LTD - yarns, raw and finished fabrics, sewing articles; OMK Holding - machining and machinery, tooling equipment, foundry, special production; Hemus-M AD - limestone, slabs, tiles, blocks, columns; Sunnytex AD - production of household linen, weaving etc.; Metizi AD - steel wires, ropes and their products, spare parts; Variana LTD - concrete articles, greyiron cast, metal safes; Enemona Holding - civil engineering.Sectors for development
The main projects are related to the development of the transport infrastructure, water supply and sewerage, agriculture - vegetables, cattle breeding, silk-worm breeding, mushroom cultivation, development and strengthening of the existing industrial plants, development of alternative forms of tourism - rural, ecotourism, cultural, religious, spaeology, mountaineering, hang gliding etc. The long-term strategy for the regional economy is to promote small and medium enterprises as an alternative way to develop the industry.Schools, universities and job training
Because of the close distance to the capital Sofia (site of the main universities in Bulgaria), only one local centre of New Bulgarian University, one pedagogical college - branch of the Veliko Tarnovo UniversityVeliko Tarnovo University
The St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo is a Bulgarian university based in the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It was established on 15 September 1963 as a pedagogical institute. The first four disciplines were Bulgarian Philology, Russian Philology, History, and Arts...
and one medical college exists in the province. The vocational schools have their main disciplines mostly in agricultural techniques, mechanics and electrotechnics, chemical technologies, civil engineering and construction, language school and mathematical secondary school. The total number of primary schools in the province is 54, 14 of them situated in the municipality of Vratsa and all state-owned. There is only one private school, Europe Schools for English Language and Management.
Financial institutions
At present, there are 15 branches of Bulgarian banks. The insurance companies have their 12 branches in the province.Hospitals
The medical services are provided in 6 hospitals - 2 of them in the main city of the province, Vratsa. As a result of the reforms in health care, there are also private medical services available, as well as stomatological services.Culture, recreation and resources
Three hotels are available within the province - Valdi Palace, Hotel Tourist in the town and Vratsa, and Hotel Istar in the town of Kozloduy. In the surroundings of Vratsa - 12 kilometres inside the mountain there is a modern centre for recreation with facilities such as sauna, fitness suite and others. Within the territory of the province is the Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park that offers excellent opportunities for recreation; there is Vrachanski Karst reserve, the cave LedenikaLedenika
Ledenika is a cave in the Northwestern parts of the Balkan Mountains, 16km away from the Bulgarian town of Vratsa, its entrance being at 830m above sea level. It features an abundance of galleries and impressive karst formations including stalactites and stalagmites, dating back a thousand years....
of international importance, and the Vratsa Gorge near the town of Vratsa.
External links
- Pictures from the cave Ledenika near Vratsa
- Cities and villages in Vratsa Province
- Pictures from Vratsa and villages