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Municipality of Strumyani |
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General information
The Municipality of Strumyani is situated in Southwest Bulgaria in the District of Blagoevgrad and includes 21 settlements. The Strumyani Municipality has a territory amounting to 362 sq.km, which represents 5, 72% of the total territory of the Blagoevgrad Region. The Municipality covers the eastern slopes of Maleshevska Mountain, the Strouma river valley and a small area of the western part of Pirin Mountains. The highest peak of its territory is the peak of Sharalia, which is 2.171 m in height.
The municipality has an important geopolitical location. It is situated at 140 km south of the capital city of Sofia, 50 km of the district centre of Blagoevgrad and 14 km of the town of Sandanski. The distance to the border with Greece is only 33 km and to Macedonia is 35 km. Many roads of national importance are passing through the Municipality’s territory. The municipal centre is split by the main road E 79, the railway line Sofia – Athens as well as by some 5th class roads. Now a direct link is being constructed with Berovo, Macedonia, which will not only improve the links between the two municipalities, but it will also improve the relations between Macedonia and Bulgaria. Communication and transport connections with Greece are relatively sound. They would improve after the construction of the Struma highway. |  |
 | | Economic profile
The Municipality of Strumyani belongs to the group of the low-developed rural areas and also to the municipalities with a potential for development of crossborder cooperation. Strumyani’s lay and soil conditions – sloped terrain, soil characteristics, earth category and climate are suitable for growing tobacco. Most of the arable lands are located along the valley of the Struma River. There are very few flat and sloping areas. The inclined areas from 11 to 20 degrees are 11,3 % of the territory. The other 87,6 % of the territory is with more than 20% inclination. The maroon soils are widespread. |
The Strumyani region is one of the hottest in the country, which makes it suitable for growing highly thermophyllic crops, tobacco, fruit, etc.
The agriculture sector in the municipality shows a constant decline in terms of the production of tobacco and potatoes. The mountain terrain of the municipality with its great percentage of common lands, pastures and meadows is appropriate for the development of stock-breeding. In spite of that, this sector of the agriculture also shows some tendencies for decline.
The municipal’s economic structure is mainly shaped by the mining and processing industry.
The development of the mining industry is determined by the existence of large marble deposits on the territory of the municipality. There is a large marble extracting and processing company, as well as many small workshops for the processing of marble some of which are recognized not only in Bulgaria, but also abroad. Quartz and granite are also being extracted here. The fluoride mineralization is not of great importance for the Bulgarian industry. Only one field has an industrial value – “Slavianka” mine used for the extraction of fluoride, which is situated near the village of Palat.
There are a great number of textile companies, tailor’s shops and wood-processing companies that provide employment for a large number of the population. The food-processing industry is presented by a small company for the production of salami. Currently in the municipality there are about 30 wholesale and retail companies.
The specific natural resources of the municipality create favorable conditions for the development of eco-tourism and sport, fishing and catering of wild fruits and herbs. A small part of the territory of the municipality includes the National Park “Pirin”, natural reserve “Sokolata”, as well as some centuries-old trees, unique rock formations and other various natural landmarks. Social environment
The population of the Municipality of Strumyani is 6 594 residents. The population is unequally distributed in 21 settlements on the territory of the municipality and it is steadily diminishing in numbers as a result of the high rate of unemployment, which is 13, 43%.
Currently there are three primary schools and one secondary school. The cultural life at the municipality is situated mainly in the libraries and cultural clubs throughout the region. The rich collection of the museum of Strumyani includes famous archeological and ethnographical pieces. The most interesting museum exhibit is the depiction of Christ’s monogram. The Municipality of Strumyani hosts the International folklore festival “Malashevo sings and dances” and the sculpturers’ symposium of Foundation “Art centre Ilindentsi”. |    |
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