Area: 3,818 sq. km
Population: 462,013
Municipalities – 12: Avren, Aksakovo, Beloslav, Byala, Varna, Vetrino, Valchi Dol, Dolni Chuflik, Devnia, Dalgopol, Provadia, and Suvorovo
Regional Center: Varna

Varna District is situated in the north-eastern part of the country. To the north it borders on Romania and to the east is broadly opened to the Black sea. Agriculture benefits from the extremely suitable natural and climatic conditions. The district occupies first place in quantity of arable land in the country which serves as a base for agriculture development. The Black sea littoral is suitable for recreation activities, tourism and guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. There are significant territories occupied by nature parks, reserves, managed reserves and other protected areas. Availability of mineral water is a significant asset for tourism development and offers guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. It borders the regions of Dobrich, Shumen and Burgas as well as the Black Sea to the east. Climate is mild continental influenced by the Black Sea littoral. The region is generally hilly and along the river valleys of Kamchia and Provadiyska, it is plain. The seashore has wide stripes of sand towards which wooded mountain slopes run down in terraces. The coastal line is shaped by the bays of Varna, Kamchia and Sveti Yani as well as the promontories of Galata and Cherni (Black). Interesting places to visit are the dense riparian forests in the river valleys of Kamchia and Batova, Provadia River, the caves near the village of Beloslav, Orlov Kamak Waterfall at Armira River. The unique natural formation of upright stones (Pobitite Kamani) west of Varna occupies an area of 70 sq. m and resembles columns of up to 2 m in diameter driven into earth and rising up from 5 to 7 m from the ground. The area is rich in ground and karst water. There are two firth lakes beside the sea – Varna and Beloslavsko, connected in 1923 by a navigable canal. There is mineral water rich in iodine near Varna and in the Valley of Kamchia River. Both industry and agriculture are well developed in Varna Region. The Ruse–Varna railway line is the oldest one in Bulgaria. The resort complexes of St. Sands (Zlatni Piasatzi), Riviera, Sunny Day (Slanchev Den), Kamchia, pearled along the coastal line, are wonderful places for rest and the properties there offer guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. This region also offers conditions for cultural, spa and eco tourism. The cultural history of the region is millennium old. The oldest vestiges of life – pole dwellings from the chalcolythic and Bronze Age – have been discovered near the Beloslavsko Lake. Dark Hole (Temnata Dupka) Cave on its bank also preserves traces of a prehistoric life. Remains of ancient settlements, structures, necropolises, castles are found at many places in the region. The cultural monuments are evidence of the well-developed civilization in this area. A gold treasure was found in 1972 during archaeological excavations of the necropolis at Varna. The treasure dates from 32–30th c. BC and is believed to be the oldest golden works of art. The largest Roman thermals (baths) that have been found so far in Bulgaria are those in Varna. Good evidence of the medieval culture in the region are the gold treasure from the beginning of the 6th c. found in 1961, Aladzha Rock Monastery, etc. Some architectural monuments of the National Revival period are preserved too.

History

The first traces of civilization in Varna and Varna district refer to the third millennium B.C. The oldest gold treasure of human civilization was discovered in Varna in 1972. It was worked out in 4000 B.C. Herodotus wrote that Greek colonists were attracted by the hospitable sea and settled here 2,600 years ago. They found a local Thracian settlement bearing the name Odessos, which the Slavs eventually renamed Varna in the 7th century A.D. Under the Romans Odessos remained economically and culturally important. The Thermae, the largest ancient public buildings discovered in Bulgaria, date back to ancient times and are among the largest in Europe. The walls that are still preserved outline buildings that stand on more than 7 000 square meters. The Proto - Bulgarians who arrived from the North in the spring of 681 defeated the armies of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine ІV at the mouth of Danube. The Peace treaty, signed in Varna afterwards, officially recognized the existence of the Bulgarian state. Varna was marked in the historical sources by the battle in 1444 as well. The king Vladislav III Yagelo lost the battle against the Ottoman Turks which led to utter Ottoman slavery of Bulgarians, which continued about five centuries. Varna was the last city, liberated by the Russian army. That happened on 27 July 1878, and the city was finally surrendered to the Russian and Bulgarian authorities on 23 October 1878. The temporary Russian management had to build administrative machinery in a very short period of time. Removing the Turkish administrative authority, the Russians basically used the old administrative division of the country - vilaets, sandzhaks and kaazes, i.е. districts, regions, areas and municipalities. The Russian authorities accepted the province as the largest administrative unit. Varna was defined as a center of a province, and major-general Ivan Kishelski - a Bulgarian on Russian service - was appointed the first governor. In October 1878 he was replaced by the chamber-cadet N. Baumgarten. The next governor was the famous Bulgarian politician Dragan Tsankov, the fourth was Dr. Panayot Minchovich, replaced on 20 December 1880 by Vasil Stoyanov (one of the founders of the Bulgarian literary union), who remained until the admittance of the Law for abolishing the provinces. In the administrative division after 1880 Varna was designated for headquarter of a region, consisting of Varna, Provadiya, Novoselska (Dalgopolska), Balchik, Dobrich and Kurtonabor (Tervel) area. Following national liberation in 1878, the city developed quickly. Stylish buildings were erected, hence the more than 150 architectural monuments that exist today. The first cotton- spinning mill in Bulgaria began operating in 1982, the same year the Organization of the Merchant Mariners was founded. The first ship-building docks were built in 1907, and in 1912 the lighthouse on cape Galata was open to operation. In 1926 the marine baths were built. At that time arrived the first 1100 tourists, organized in groups. In 1913 Balchik, Dobrich and Kurtonabor area were removed from the territory of the region. During the administrative re-organization in 1934, when the regions were removed and the districts formed, Varna was included in Shumen district. By a Law for the division of the Republic into regions dated 1949, Varna became a region centre, comprising Varna, Provadiya, Dobrich, Balchik, General Toshevo and Tervel areas. On 18 August 1987 the ninth Common Public Meeting accepted a Decree for the new administrative division of the country, according to which the regions were liquidated and new districts formed. Firstly, Varna district comprised the territories of the former Varna, Dobrich and Shumen regions, however later the three of them were defined as separate districts.

Infrastructure

Telecommunications
• The best telecommunication network in Bulgaria.
• One of the highest rates of digitalization in the country: 44.4% for the city of Varna, 36% for the district of Varna, average figure for the country - 21%.
• The telephone lines density is 481 per 1000 city dwellers.
• The digitalization rate of Varna telecommunication network is three times higher than the average rate for the country. The digital telephone systems used are Siemens and Ericsson.
• 300 km of fiber-optic cables; MAN - ATM/STM.
• Varna is one of the main junctions of two international submarine optic cables: KAFOS - connecting Varna, Istanbul (Turkey) and Mangalia (Romania) as well as the telecommunication infrastructures of Bulgaria and the European countries; BSFOCS.
• Sea Fiber Optic Cable System) - an optic cable connecting Varna, Odessa (Ukraine) and Novorosiysk (Russia).

Water supply
• Sufficient water resource available for water supply of the towns and villages.
• Percentage of the population provided with water supply - 100%.
• Total length of the water supply network - 4 701 000 m, 120 water supply pump stations.
• Total produced water – 84,106 m3 per year.
• Major water sources: Kamchia Dam-Lake, the Springs of Devnya and the water supply systems of Zlatina, Batova and Pchelnik
• 67,5% of the towns and villages /with population over 10 000 inhabitants/ are provided with sewerage networks, the percentage being more than 90% for the city of Varna and the town of Devnya, while in the rest of the towns the sewerage network has been constructed to 30-60%.

Electricity supply network
A transit energy infrastructure of the highest class is developed on the area of the region forming an energy infrastructure corridor along the destination Kardam-Dobrich-Devnya. There are no settlements without electricity within the Varna Distrrict. Thermo-electric power station –Varna produces about 15% of the energy produced by such power stations in Bulgaria. The transmission network of 110 kV, 220 kV and 440 kV is rather dense and provides effective power supply of the region.

Gas supply
• Available gas-pipe network in the region. The system is with high pressure – 55 bar. With diameter 700 mm, property of “Bulgargas” JSC.
• The price of gas- methane from 27.03.2003 is 287.19 lv. for 1 000 cubic meters, from the distributor "Bulgargas" JSC. Caloricity of the marsh gas sold in the network of "Bulgargas" JSC is 8 000 Kkal/ m3 at 20o C.
• At the cape “Galata”, there is a methane gas field in the Black sea Shelf. The mine equipment is forthcoming in 2004 parallel with the construction of the necessary gas pipelines.

Heat supply
Toplofikatsia Plc. – Varna supplies the central heating of schools, nursery homes, houses and flats, etc. equal to 14 000 flats – 38 000 inhabitants in Varna municipality. The central heating system comprises a heating station, 426 distribution stations and 28 km of conveying network

Railway transport
• The total length of the railway network in Varna district is 307.12 km excluding the railway network within the station areas.
• 2-nd and 3-rd Republican railway lines are the basic ones: 
• 2-nd railway line Sofia – Varna has a railway length of 121.111 km and connects all the directions of Northern Bulgaria. Due to its connection to Ruse direction, passing through the territory of Varna district this line is of great importance for the cargo transportation from Ruse to Varna port. The line is double and entirely electrified.
• 3-rd railway line Karnobat – Sindel connects the North-eastern part of Bulgaria to its southern parts and appears to be an element of the VIII trans-European transport corridor concerning its railway infrastructure.

Road network
Varna district is characterized by an average road network density of 328.99 km / km2 and total length of 1256.60 km (1337.2 km including 80.60 km without surface, are in project). The total density of 358.3 is also higher than the national average and highest among the planning regions. The values for Razgrad district and Targovishte district are the highest (but bearing in mind their smaller territories). For the entire region the density of the municipal road network (179.5) is higher than the national average (162). Class “A” road “I”-2 Ruse-Varna crosses Varna, Razgrad and Shumen districts and thus connects Danube River with the Black sea coast. Class A road “I”-4 serves as a connection to the capital and the internal part of the country. Class A road “I”-7 Silistra-Shumen-Yambol-Elhovo-Lesovo passes through Silistra and Shumen districts. Class A road “I”-9 Durankulak-Varna-Burgas-Malko Tarnovo (E-87 according to the European classification) passes by Varna and Dobrich districts and serves as connection of eastern part of Romania with Turkey to the south. Hemus and Cherno more highways have the greatest significance to the development of the Republican road network on the territory of Varna district and the guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. They also represent an integral part of the pan-European road network and particularly of corridors No.7 and 8. Setting these two highways of national importance in compliance with the European standards will greatly improve the transport activity between the district and the rest of the country, the Central and West European potential markets as well as the countries of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation and the guaranteed rental in Bulgaria.
Strategic importance considering Varna-Poti ro-ro connection. There is also a Ruse-Shumen-Varna E70 road available.

Port of Varna
• Crossing point of several European transport corridors. Its cross- roads position on the Black Sea west coast and the excellent transport links make Varna a proper logistic bridge between Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Caucasus, Near and Far East.
• The structure of Port of Varna PLC includes 3 component port units : Varna East, Varna West, Balchik.
• It handles all types of cargo, including liquid. Typical cargoes for Varna are grain, containers, chemicals and general cargo. In 2001 Varna is Number One in handling of dry cargo in the country.
• Varna has the only rail ferry terminal in the Black Sea where it is possible to change the bogies of rail wagons from European to Russian standard. With this unique advantage, the terminal provides one of the shortest and the cheapest routes for the traffic between Europe and Asia.
• Varna has 2 container terminals - one in Varna East and the other in Varna West.

The International Airport Varna
Varna International Airport is the second largest in Bulgaria (after Sofia Airport). Provides first-class access to the city of Varna and the adjacent resorts. Also serves as a connection to 35 countries in the world and 101 destinations which is a huge advantage for the investors expecting guaranteed rental in Bulgaria.

• The second largest airport after Sofia.
• Connection to 35 countries and 101 cities around the world.
• Maintenance and repair of all basic types of Russian airplanes; an airport for charter flights.
• Marked seasonal busyness; depending on the share in the financial results, the traffic serviced can be divided in the following groups:
• Passenger's charter, servicing the Black sea resorts during the summer season.
• Regular international flights.
• Cargo charter flights.
• Flights of general purpose ( General aviation ).
• The vision of the Government is concession granting.
• Interest in investments has been declared by the Wiggins Group, United Kingdom; Brussels Airport; a consortium of 6 multi-national companies, among them Credit Swiss First Boston, Montgomery Asset Management, Copenhagen Airport and the Belgian BIAC.

Sea Transport
In March 2001 by a Ministerial Council Act Varna Transit Trade Zone Plc. is established with the following subject of activity: Execution of warehousing and production as per the Customs Law and Regulations for its application. This is the first zone of this kind set up by the Customs Law. The main prerequisite is the continuous increase of goods traffic through Varna. Moreover the project is linked to the construction of transport corridors 4, 8, 9 and 10. The process of choosing Varna has been affected by the availability of Ferry complex as well as the developed infrastructure and other peculiarities of the region witch is of great significance for guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. The establishing of Transit Trade Zone is also a part of the regional development strategy. The transit zone is assigned the task of increased cargo traffic and stimulated production in the region.

Economy

On the area of Varna district are situated more than 15% of the enterprises from the non-financial sector in the country and it possesses 12.8% of the long term material assets. The number of those employed is 15.4% of the national total.11% of the manufactured products from the national industry and 11.5% of revenue from sales are produced in Varna district.
The value of GDP for Varna district is 3749 leva (2003) which is 15% below the national average. The value for Varna district is significantly higher (125% of the national average) and for the remaining five districts the per capita GDP is significantly lower than the regional average. The Varna district ranks third in terms of the Gross Value Added. The services sector accounts for the biggest share of the GVA in the region (62.2%), followed by the agrarian sector (22.2%)-almost 2 times the respective national average and industry -15.6%. The highest share of the agrarian sector in GVA possesses Silistra district-43.7%, followed by Razgrad and Targovishte districts. Industry-share of production manufactured in Varna district -10.6% from that produced in the country. Share of production manufactured in the private enterprises-87.5%. Industry in Varna district is a mixture of big and small companies. The region is not excessively dependant on a small number of sectors and the mix of small and big enterprises improves the opportunities for renewal, expansion and growth. Food stuffs production, beverages, tobacco products, chemicals and fibre are of predominant importance. Machine-tools engineering including vehicle manufacture, textile and clothing industries and the construction sector are other important directions. The industrial sector is characterized by a high degree of concentration in the distant centres and in Varna-Devnya-Beloslav industrial agglomeration. Mining industry is presented by kaolin deposits, which satisfy the needs of ceramic industry in the country; salt field which is a precondition for the chemical industry in Devnya region; lime stones in same region necessary for cement production; quartz for glass production. Manufacturing industry- Varna district provides 13% of the production in the same sector for the country. Energy supply, gas supply provides 15.2% of the production in the sector for the region. Varna Thermo-electric power station is the biggest of its kind in the country and operates with imported raw materials. Favourable preconditions for emergence and development of clusters have been identified in the region. Varna district occupies leading position in establishing of cluster formations in the country. Cluster “Devnya” where several big companies have been identified-“Agropolihim”, “Devnya Cement”, “Solvay-Sodi” all of them exploiting the mineral resources of the area. Sea industry – combination of particular infrastructure, ship yard, ports, sea science and education all servicing the maritime business. Potential for establishing the following clusters: shoe industry within the municipality of Dobrich, ”Glass” cluster on the territory of Targovishte district, “Food” and “Wine production” cluster.

Agriculture is one of the priority sectors in the region favoured by the appropriate nature and climatic conditions. Agrarian sector accounts for 22.2% in the Gross Value Added structure (the national average is 11.4%). Thremmatology is well developed. Varna district possesses the highest share of arable land in the country-1113640ha, which represents 88.5% of the used farm land. Stock-breeding including breeding of sheep, goats, pigs, buffaloes. An increase in the number of cattle and buffaloes and decrease in the number of pigs and goats is observed.
Poultry breeding: the biggest poultry farm in the country is to be found in the village of Donchevo, municipality of Dobrich. Apiculture- Honey producing has become more popular recently. Fishery-favorable conditions are good for development of fish-farms and fishery. It is popular along Danube River and in the Black sea littoral. Excellent conditions for clam-breeding in the region using under water pipe constructions.

Business Environment
Number of companies in Varna district for 2003-36956 (9% more than the registered companies in 2002).The number of micro and small companies predominates. On the area of the Varna district are situated more than 15% of the enterprises from the non-financial sector in the country and possesses 12.8% of the long-term material assets. The number of people employed is 15.4% of the national total. More than 81% of all companies operate in the service sector, 14.5% in industry and some 4.4% are engaged in the agrarian sector.
Several decisive factors predetermine the leading position of Varna district - these are the location, climate, Black sea littoral, quality and quantity of arable land, built-up infrastructure, human resources’ potential, tourism development, guaranteed rental in Bulgaria, high rate of direct foreign investments, development of R&D and entrepreneurship.
The district ranks first in the country in terms of number of overnight stays, number of foreign tourists-27% of their total number.

Innovations and Technology
The Varna district ranks on the second place in the country after the Southwestern region with respect to the share of R&D costs in the regional GDP-0.2% in 2002 as compared to 0.4% national average, which is far below the objective laid down in the Lisbon strategy (4% of the GDP).The number of operating organizations in the field of R&D is quite small and concentrated mainly in Varna district respectively the city of Varna (4 on the subject of fish resources , sea research and oceanology , hydro-and aero-dynamics and metal processing). Research and production structures exist at the Research centre on Agrarian Sciences in the city of General Toshevo and Shumen. In the field of agriculture it is worth mentioning also the branch of the Institute on Stock-rearing in Loznitza municipality, the Apricot Studies Experimental Station in the city of Silistra. A market-driven trend of partnership-building between the higher educational establishments and the R&D institutes is observed, however on a limited scale and hence commercial application of the developed research products is also negligent. In a process of establishment is the technology related infrastructure ,for example –high-tech parks, technology incubators, centres for technology transfer and other structures related to technological partnership with business. Varna district is the regional leader in using modern technologies. City of Varna ranks second on the market of information technologies (after the capital).

Direct Foreign Investments
The region ranks second in the country in terms of volume of accumulated direct foreign investments (12.8%). This volume demonstrates significant increase during the recent several years. The predominant share of direct foreign investments (above 65%) has been affected on the area of Varna District.

Prerequisites for investors’ activity:
• Stable economy and predictable political environment
• Membership in NATO and expected accession in the EU on January 1st 2007.
• Bulgarian companies are applying international accounting standards.
• Bulgaria is a party to 52 international agreements on promotion of investments and 55 agreements on avoidance of double taxation.

Labour force
The total share of population at working age is 62.09 % (286 347 people) or a little higher than the average for the country (59.2 %). At the same time the share of the population under working age (16.41 %) is by 0.11 % above the average for the country (16.3%), and the share of the population over working age (21.50 %) is below the average for the country (24.5 %) by 3 %. The unemployed have a good level of qualification - about 10% of them are with higher education while another 25 - 27% has professional qualification.

IT specialists
Bulgaria takes the third place in the world in the category of certified IT specialists as a percentage of the population and the tenth place by their actual number. The certified specialists in IT, finance, health care, management, foreign languages and communications numbered 4400 in 2002. All of the country’s major Internet Service Providers are present in the city. Unlimited Internet access of 33,6 Kbps over a cable network is provided for $15 a month. Higher speed Internet connections (128 Kbps) over DSL are also available with a monthly subscription fee of less than $100 for 1200 MB of traffic. The competitive structure of the IT sector is due to the large number of software and hardware firms. Software companies are specialized in web-development, and ERP and financial software, complying with local legislation. Because of the large number of IT students the city has the potential to become an Offshore Development Centre for software, which also will increase the assets of guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. For the time being however, foreign investors have not taken advantage of this opportunity. Another free market segment is hardware production – local demand is still being satisfied predominantly through assembly of imported components.

Intelligence
The country takes the second place in the world following Israel at the international intelligence tests (MENSA International).

Associations, memberships, twin-cities and partnerships
Alborg, Denmark; Dodrecht, the Netherlands; Kharkov, Ukraine; Southern Administrative District of Moscow, Russia; Akaba, Jordan; Odessa, Ukraine; Malmu, Sweden; Turku, Finland; Bradford, England; Miami, USA; Restock, Germany; Novorossiysk, Russia, Piraeus, Greece.

Tourism

The existing thermo mineral resources, healing mud, developed medical service network, modern equipment are prerequisites for the development of multifunctional all-year-round tourist product – balneological, cultural, congress, ecological and rural tourism. The climate and the nature create favourable conditions for development of industry, trade, tourism and communications in the region. Varna is the ideal place for investments for investors, who wish to conduct activities on the Balkans and guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. The district main advantages are:
• World-known tourist centre pronounced for a sea resort in 1926.
• World-known tourist centre pronounced for a sea resort in 1926. "Golden Sands", "St.Konstantin and Elena", "Riviera", "Sunny day", "Kamchia"
• "Golden Sands", "Riviera", "Sunny Day " -Blue international flag prize given to the best beaches and yacht ports by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe.
• More than 35 000 beds in 3- and 4-star hotels. In 2002 17.82 % of the total number of beds for the country was located in Varna district.
• Great number of nights spent during 2002 - 2 917 138 representing 54.91 % of the total nights spent in the region and 28.36 % of the number for the country. 86.85 % (2 533 473) of the nights spent in the district in 2002 are realized by foreigners.
• Accommodation income amounts to 58 477 435 BGN in 2002 (60.57 % of the total amount for the North-eastern planning region).
• Basically visitors come from Germany, Great Britain, and Scandinavian countries, Russia, Poland and the Ukraine.

Varna is centre of active cultural life, especially in summer. The Palace of Sports & Culture, the Festival & Congress Centre, the Summer Theatre host many events. Among others an International Ballet Competition since 1964, the first of its kind in the world; the International Varna Summer Music Festival, which first took place in 1967, and ever since attracts famous musical ensembles. To the North and South of Varna there is a cluster of seaside resorts all with fine-sandy beaches, but differing in size and style. The largest is Golden Sands set on well-wooded terraces, the last foothills of the Balkan range reaching down to the sea. Its four kilometre beach slopes gently fall into the water. There is a wealth of sport & leisure time facilities available, all very moderately priced. Water-skiing, wind-surfing, Para-skiing, snorkelling, tennis, volleyball, mini-golf and croquet fill the visitor's day, and a choice of restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs provide evening entertainment. Many hotels have recently been refurbished and upgraded. The average air temperature in summer is 27°С, and the water temperature is 24-25°С. The complex has over 80 hotels offering 25,000 - 28,000 beds with guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. There are about 80 catering establishments. There is a Chapel, a street of craftsmen and artists, tennis courts and other sports facilities. Albena Resort is the place where the sea meets the sand. It offers sports and recreation facilities, spa and beauty facilities, numerous entertainment spots, nightlife in bars and discos, conference halls. Albena is a delight for all ages - sandy beach, crystal sea, and, as much or as little action as you need, Albena has something for everyone.
Alongside with the mineral water pools in it of interest are also the ancient belfry and chapel of the St. St. Constantine and Elena Monastery.

Natural resources

Varna District is situated in the north-eastern part of the country. To the north it borders on Romania and to the east is broadly opened to the Black sea. Agriculture benefits from the extremely suitable natural and climatic conditions. The district occupies first place in quantity of arable land in the country which serves as a base for agriculture development. The Black sea littoral is suitable for recreation activities and tourism. There are significant territories occupied by nature parks, reserves, managed reserves and other protected areas. Availability of mineral water is a significant asset for tourism development and guaranteed rental in Bulgaria.
Mineral raw materials - manganic ore found near the village of Obrochishte and Tsarkva,near the towns of Shabla and Byala and in vicinity of the village of Ignatievo; salt field near the town of Provadia; caolin deposits found on the territory of municipality of Kaolinovo; black coal field to the north-west of Kavarna; marl-dolomite limestone in the municipalities of Suvorovo and Devnya (used for cement production);building stones in proximity of the town of Shabla; natural gas in the Black Sea shelf just opposite the Galata Cape which is presently exploited by “Petreco”.
Land resources – Farm land -13781,158 km, arable land -11896,141 km, forests - 4577,914 km, water territories -244,668 km, inhabited territories -1145,420 km, raw materials exploitation territories - 253,073 km, protected areas - 33351,5 ha, 3 reserves covering area of 559.1 ha, 2 natural parks with territory of 5249.9 ha, natural landmarks 22 and covering area of 1071.6 ha.

Climate

The area, where Varna and the vicinity are located occupies the most northern part of the Mediterranean subtropical region, and the climate here is characterized as continentally-Mediterranean. The average winter temperatures vary between -2° and 8°С. Spring comes late, since the sea water warms up slowly, and generally the climate changes to warm only in May, when the temperatures reach 20°С. Summer is dry and gently warm. It is characterized by breezes, arising as a result of the openness to sea. The influence of the sea is felt in the autumn as well. It comes later but it is warmer because the sea water takes longer to cool. The rainfall in the region is of the smallest in the country. The biggest quantities of rain fall in the months of June and November (about 50 l/m2), the driest period is August -September, when the rainfall is not greater than 30 - 32 l/m2 per month. The favourable climate and geographical conditions have been major factors for guaranteed rental in Bulgaria and establishing in Varna and the nearby resort complexes - first-class sea and spa resorts.

Environment

In its greater part the potential of the natural environment in the region of Varna is well-preserved, its negative parameters being much lower than those allowed in Europe and Bulgaria. The only exception in the case is the "hot spot" area around Devnya, characterized by a great concentration of big pollution sources affecting the atmosphere and Varna and Beloslav lakes. The parameters of the seaside and the resort areas meet all the requirements for tourism and recreation, including those of EU all offering guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. In 92% of the performed monitoring the inshore waters comply with the values set by EC76/160 Directive and the national requirements. There are also prerequisites for the development of ecotourism and eco-agriculture. A great number of natural attractions, natural and cultivated preservation parks form a wide network of protected areas striving for the protection biological diversity and natural phenomena. Over 530 hectares of protected areas and preservation parks are under the aegis of Ramsar and international conventions.

District towns

Provadia
Provadia town is situated in the eastern part of the Danube Plain. Provadia town is at a distance of 46 km from Varna city and 54 km from Shoumen town. The nearest port, Varna Zapad, is at 18 km. The first railway line constructed in Bulgaria from Varna to Rousse passes through the town. A road connects the municipal center to all population centers in the region. The good climatic conditions - 10.8°C average annual temperature and precipitation of approximately 560 mm/sq. m are conducive to the recovery of viniculture and wine production in the region. Agriculture is represented by growing grains and vegetables, and stockbreeding. An eco-path, water attraction, fences and Provadia Land have been built under the Beautiful Bulgaria Project; project titled Nature and culture through the eyes of time; "Chitalishta" (arts, culture and literature center) - Internet Center Project; 6 projects under the SAPARD program have been developed. Funding is sought for a project for construction of a By-pass Road Aitos - Provadia - Varna. The properties in Provadia offer guaranteed rental in Bulgaria.
Golyamata Kanara - 33 ha of protected territory for protection of long-legged buzzard and Egyptian vulture; Shezhinska Koria - 81 ha of centuries-obligations oak forest; Slavejkovska forest - 73.5 ha of land for protection of the nesting and habitats of protected species of falcons and eagles. The stone forest near Ravna village is a natural phenomenon; the Provadia plateau is a unique landscape hosting 13 species of rare and protected plants including on Bulgaria's Red Book. The Ovech fortress - antique and medieval Bulgarian fortress with preserved remains of a metropolitan church, unique bridge structure, 30 cave tombs, 79-meters deep well dug into the rock, caves and technical facilities. 14 rock monasteries with preserved graffiti and inscriptions, two of the monasteries are underground, namely Kara Peshtera and Izmatets; 9 churches, among which the unique St. Theodore church in Dobrina village of 15 - 16 c., which was the church of the second-biggest Dobrovnishka colony in Bulgaria; about 18 Thracian mounds and 120 monuments of architecture and culture. The renaissance center of Provadia town, the Varosha old town, has been restored. There is an operating mosque, Usuf Bei, in the center of Provadia town; the early-Christian monastery near Ravna village (9 - 10 c.) was used by the rulers' court of Pliska; a lead seal of Prince Simeon the Great has been found. The town is the birthplace of the composer Svetoslav Obretenov. The national competition for young music players and singers is named after him.

Byala
Byala region is situated in the central part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The territory of the region is crossed by road I-9, which is the international road Е-87. The geographic location of the Municipality makes it a focus of tourism activities. Byala town is at an equal distance of 50 km from two large district centers - Bourgas and Varna; hence it is a crossing point of the transport connections between these cities. The economic structure of the Municipality is characterized by development of tourism and agriculture. The properties in Byala region offer guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. Types of industries - well developed shoe making industry, hotel industry, trade, tourism and viniculture.
Natural sight Belite Skali - approved by the Ministry of Environment and Water environmental protected site. The site was discovered by the Austrian Prof. Anton Preizinger, who conducted a number of paleo-geological studies and proved that Belite Skali is one of the three places in the world, where the Cretaceous/Tertiary dividing line is best observed. Further on the site was included on the Register and Cadastre of Geological Phenomena in Bulgaria. The most important components of the natural wealth of Byala town are the sea and its coast, as well as the mountain with its forest and other resources. These factors are prerequisites for tourism development. Various types of tourism are possible: elite marine tourism, including yachting, the preconditions for which are the sea characteristics, the coastline and the existence of a port complex. In the inland part of the municipality rural and hunting tourism may be developed. The coastline of the municipality is a combination of a rocky shore and beach lines with sand dunes. Most of the beaches have eastern, northeastern and southeastern exposition, which ensures better conditions for sunshine over them. The total length of the seashore in the Municipality is 14,300 m, which is 3 % of the total length of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Devnya
Devnya region is at a distance of about 30 km from Varna - the District Center. It is situated in southeastern Bulgaria. Devnya is in a small valley surrounded on all sides by small limestone hills and open only to the east to the Beloslav Lake and the Black Sea. The wealth of resources of water, salt and limestone are the basis for development of large chemical industry in Devnya. Devnya is a component of the industrial-transport and residential agglomerate of Varna-Devnya-Provadia. Its transport and communications system services not only the national, but also the international infrastructure directions. Railway, road and water transport are developed. The transport system is directly connected to and dependant on that of Varna Municipality.
Devnya is a strongly developed economic region. The properties in Devnya region offer guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. The upstream industrial sectors are production of different types of sodas, thermal energy, building materials, etc. Several successful privatization transactions have been carried out with municipal real estates and the proceeds have been invested in the municipal infrastructure. The region of Devnya is one of the hot spots in environmental terms. A program for environmental protection has been developed and is being implemented. The program includes: building a landfill for construction debris and industrial waste - non-hazardous waste; reconstruction and expansion of the waste water treatment plant; improvement of the control over polluters; more intensive environmental education of children. On an area of 700,000 sq. m under the Reka Devnya suburb the foundations and necropolises of the Roman early-Byzantine town of Martianopol are found; The Museum of Mosaics in Devnya town has been built over the foundations of an antique building with mosaics from the late 3 - early 4 c. AD. Valuable archeological monuments today are also the remains of a Roman amphitheatre of 3 c. and the early-Christian basilica. A natural sight is the largest karst springs in Bulgaria. They are grouped in several clusters in the foot of the Golyam Kajrak elevation. These springs give the beginning of the Devnya River. The water has constant temperature of about 18°C. It is used in the industrial companies in Devnya and for water supply to Devnya town and Varna city. Only the "Miraculous Spring" is visited by tourists. Near Povelyanovo suburb to the north of Beloslav Lake is the Harmankya rocky peak, on the eastern slope of which a "stone forest" has occurred - the so-called "Pobiti Kamani" (upright stones). Some of these limestone-sand formations reach up to 6 meters in height. The whole locality contains 14 groups of Pobiti Kamani. Only 6 % of the area of the Pobiti Kamani locality is visited by organized groups of tourists.

Aksakovo
Varna International Airport is located on the territory of Aksakovo region. It is only 1.5 km away from the nearest residential suburbs. The territory of the municipality is crossed by Hemous highway, which connects Varna city to the capital city of Sofia. Varna West port and Varna East port are at a close distance - 12 km and 8 km respectively. Small and medium enterprises operate in Aksakovo Municipality in the filed of trade, purchasing and processing of agricultural produce (slaughterhouses, sausage making workshops, production of yoghurt), manufacturing of aluminum and PVC joinery, concrete mortar and grout, furniture manufacturing, washing detergents production, etc. The biggest plant for production of wrap foil on the Balkan Peninsula opened in Aksakovo town. There are attractive spots for tourism and entertainment in Aksakovo Municipality, namely: Batova locality - an impressive forest massif, with several tourism huts for recreation; every year fairs with singing and dancing competitions are organized, which attract visitors from the whole region; Pobiti Kamani Nature Park is a protected area, the larger part of which falls within the territory of the Municipality; Zlatni Pyassatsi Nature Park is situated in the easternmost part of the Municipality and is of area 7.47 sq.km. The prevailing type of trees is coniferous and deciduous, such as oak, Adriatic oak, hornbeam, beech and pine. The only monastery in the region, Aladzha monastery, is in this park as well and is visited by numerous tourists. Of interest are the villages Dolishte, Oreshak, Koumanovo and General Kantardzhievo, which have been developing rural and hunting tourism in the recent years. The properties in Akasakovo region offer guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. They are situated near the resort complexes Albena, Golden Sands, Balchik and Kranevo. Kranevo holiday facility is situated on the very beach of the Black Sea coast; it has three different types of reconstructed and modernized resort bungalows. At this spot Aksakovo has 4 km wide access to the sea.

Vetrino
Vetrino is an agricultural region. Out of its total area the farming land occupies 252,616,000 sq. m, of which 206,480,000 sq. m is arable land; forests occupy 24,184,000 sq. m. Vegetables growing is the main activity; the following are grown: wheat - 68,618,000 sq. m; barley - 25,306,000 sq. m; corn - 22,481,000 sq. m; sunflower for oil - 38,607,000 sq. m. The properties in Vetrino region offer guaranteed rental in Bulgaria. There is a cow farm in Vetrino village and two poultry farms in Neofit Rilski village and in Belogradets village. Bee keeping is becoming more intensive. Perennial crops occupy an area of 2,422,000 sq. m. Grapes - both wine and desert varieties - grow well in this area. The private sector provides up to 90 % of the production and services in the area. Nine cooperatives cultivate 87,850,000 sq. m of farming land; the number of tenant farmers is increasing (about 30 people) and so is the number of individual farmers and farmers' cooperatives. Non-traditional crops are introduced, such as rape seed, fennel, lavender and coriander. There are two flour mills - in Belogradets village and Dobroplodno village; a bakery in Belogradets village; and a dairy in Dobroplodno village.
There is a protected area in the Municipality - the Golyamata Kanara karst canyon of area 0.33 sq.km. The karst canyon and the habitats of the long-legged buzzard and Egyptian vulture are under protection. A large number of cultural-historical sights have been preserved: St. Dimitar church in Vetrino village; Fountain in the yard of the former Rodopa meat processing plant; a mosque and The Birth of Virgin Mary church in Belogradets village; Eub Djelisi mosque and St. Ivan Rilski church in Dobroplodno village; a fortress of the late antiquity in Golyamo Eleme locality, Nevsha village; ethnographic collection about Bulgarians in Asia Mina in Yagnilo village; numerous other churches and chapels.

Cultural sights

The multitude of theatres, museums, art galleries, libraries and active network of community cultural clubs, the Festival and Congress Center has turned Varna into one of the most important cultural centers of Bulgaria. Six national festivals are held here every year. The International Choir Festival at the end of May is one of the most popular events. As a part of Varna Summer Festival, the international theatrical holidays are held in June. The international festival for orchestras and ensembles is also very attractive with the performance of classical pieces of music in July and August. Other cultural events of importance are: the Folk Festival with foreign participants, held in August; the International Film Festival "Love is madness" in September; the Golden Rose Festival of Bulgarian Feature Film; the Golden Dolphin International Puppet Festival in October.
The most ancient traces of human presence are the Pobitite Kamani (a fossil forest) - a unique natural phenomenon, a specific wood of hollow limestone poles, which were formed 50 million years ago. Thousands of tools have been found - microliths, which comprise one of the rarest collections of Mezolithic artifacts in Europe. In the Varna necropolis, 5 - 4 millennium BC, sensational artifacts made of high purity gold have been found among the tomb gifts and the are an evidence of the existence of a highly developed prehistoric civilization, which had come into existence much earlier than Mesopotamia and Egypt. In the land near Odessos numerous finds evidencing the Thracian presence there have been found - mounds, tomb vaults, rock necropolises, sanctuaries, bronze and stone plastic art, etc. Evidence of the further development of Odessos of the antique and Roman times are the Golden Adornments of 5 - 1 c. BC, the Roman thermae of the beginning of the 3 c., sculpture tomb slabs, etc. The following are early-Christianity monuments: the unique set of three feretories of 4 - 5 c. found in a basilica near Varna; a golden treasure of 5 - 6 c. The Archeological Museum exhibits the largest collection of specimen of the Bulgarian ceramics art and metal plastic art, as well as rich collections of golden and silver adornments found in the region. The mural paintings in Aladzha Monastery are of the same period. The town is known also with the battle lead by Vladislav Varnenchik in 1444. Collection of knights' weapons and gear date back to the same period.
Some of the symbols of Varna are: The drama and opera theatre - designed by architect N. Lazarov in 1912; The city clock tower built in 1889 -1890 after a design of architect S. Dimitrievich; The gate to the Marine Garden built in 1938; The Military Marine Club; The Aquarium. The biggest Roman public baths in Eastern Europe are in Varna - the Roman thermae of 2 - 3 c. AD. There are numerous temples in the Municipality - orthodox churches, Armenian, catholic, Muslim and other places for prayers. The Virgin Mary's Holy Assu cathedral arouses interest with its icons and mural paintings made by Russian master-artists. The oldest preserved church is the Most Holy Virgin Mary's Panagia Assu church. The St. Paraskeva church, 1785, was built initially as a private chapel in the home of a Varna trader. St. Athanasios church was built on the place of an old medieval church. The first church of the new Bulgarian history is the St. Archangel Michael church. The St. Sarkis Armenian church has been built in Asia Mina style. The St. Virgin Mary Catholic Church services the needs of the catholic community. Some of the larger museums in Varna are: the Archeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Renaissance, and the Museum of New History. At 18 km distance to the northeast of Varna city is Aladzha monastery - medieval Bulgarian rock monastery with a museum and an exhibition of medieval mural paintings. Other places of interest are the Vladislav Varnenchik Museum-park and the Military Marine Museum, the Museum of History of Medicine, the Museum of Natural Science.