Botevgrad

Botevgrad
Coat of arms
Botevgrad Location of Botevgrad
Coordinates: 42°54′N 23°47′E / 42.9°N 23.783°E / 42.9; 23.783Coordinates: 42°54′N 23°47′E / 42.9°N 23.783°E / 42.9; 23.783
Country	Bulgaria
Province (Oblast)	Sofia
Government
– Mayor	Georgi Georgiev
Elevation	395 m (1,296 ft)
Population (2004-12-15)
– Total	24,015
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
– Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal Code	2140
Area code(s)	0723

Botevgrad (Bulgarian: Ботевград; pre-1934 Orhanie (Орхание); pre-1866: Samundzhievo (Самунджиево)), is a town in western Bulgaria. It is located in Sofia Province and is close to Pravets. Botevgrad is situated at a 47-km-distance from Sofia.

Geography

Botevgrad and its hinterland are located in an elliptical valley with a total area of 5,066 km². The municipality covers parts of the Western Stara Planina mountain — Razhana, Murgash, Bilo and Golyama Planina and some parts of the Northern Balkan. Vitinya Pass connecting Northern Bulgaria with Southern Bulgaria and the proximity of the capital contribute to its strategic location. Botevgrad municipality borders the following municipalities: Pravets, Etropole, Gorna Malina, Elin Pelin, Svoge, Mezdra and Roman.

The characteristic clock tower in the centre of the town is arguably its most recognizable symbol

Nature

The region of Botevgrad municipality is quite rich in natural resources. The relief is remarkable for its variety. The municipality covers the following geographic parts: a part of Botevgradska Kotlovina (the valley of Botevgrad), some parts of Botevgradski Predbalkan and four of the Balkan shoulders — Razhana, Golyama Planina, Murgash and Bilo. Kotlovinata Zhleba (Fillet Hollow) is situated between the main Balkan Range and the Northern Balkan.

The bottom of the hollow is the acumulative river terrace of Bebresh river and its tributaries. The low oval hills inside the hollow contribute to the countryside variety. Mount Murgash — 1687 m tall is the highest point of the highest mountain range to the south and south-west. Many rivulets run down the slopes of the heights. Prohoda Vitinya or Vitinya Pass connecting South Bulgaria with North Bulgaria is located on the territory of Botevgrad municipality.

Economy

The EPIQ group, which specialises in the design and production of added value electronics and electromechanical systems used in the automotive and consumer electronics industry, operates two production plants in the town. The Bulgarian division of EPIQ accounts for 70 percent of the group's turnover.

GE Pharmaceuticals operates a drugs factory and in 2006 Siemens opened a plant for the production of high voltage transformers.

Sport

Botevgrad has one of the best^{[citation needed]} basketball teams currently in Bulgaria-Balkan. Also, there is a football club with the name "Balkan"-PFC Balkan Botevgrad.^{[citation needed]} The city has many sport fields-both for football and basketball. Other sports are also very popular - volleyball, swimming, chess and tennis.^{[citation needed]}

Twin towns

Botevgrad is twinned with:

• Saransk, Russia
• Holbæk, Denmark

Gallery

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  Central Botevgrad

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  Court Hall and garden

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  Botev monument and garden

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  Clock tower

External links

• Botevgrad's Municipal Site
• News About Botevgrad
• Botevgrad's Portal Site
• Pictures from Botevgrad
• 360 degree virtual Botevgrad picture of the centre