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Geography and population

Varna District is situated in the Northeastern part of Bulgaria. Its territory amounts to 3.44% of the territory of the country. It is composed of 12 municipalities with a total population of 465.012, which is 5.4% of the whole population of the country
The population is concentrated in the city of Varna - 314,539 people.

The city of Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria and the largest city in the northeastern region. It is situated on the Black Sea, extending into the Bay of Varna. The city was built on a large, even 18 meter high terrace in the far northwestern curve of the bay which juts out 7 km into the mainland.

Infrastructure

Varna District has the highest rate of digitization of the telephone network in Bulgaria (33%). Both Bulgarian mobile operators have offices in the city.

Logistics-roads, railroads, airports
Varna International Airport provides maintenance of airplanes, passenger and cargo (over 10,000 tons per year) services. The duration of the flight to Sofia is about 40 minutes with two regular flights a day.
Port of Varna is the largest port complex in Bulgaria. Its strategic location makes it a gateway between Europe and the Middle East. It is connected directly with Russia, Georgia and Ukraine by ferry and Ro-Ro lines. Shipping companies operate regular lines to Istanbul, Athens and other cities in the Western Mediterranean. By railway (Varna - Rousse) and the corriodor "Rhein-Main-Danube" the city is connected with Western Europe.
The port integrates four connected parts: Port Varna - East, Port Varna - West, Port Balchik and the port of the Thermoelectric Power Station. The well-developed infrastructure is connected with Port Lesport and the ferry complex as well. At Port Varna are available 20 ship terminals for general cargo, oil and chemical products, timber, etc., 2 container handling terminals for 20' and 40' containers and a passenger terminal. In November 2001 a modern facility for grain handling began operation. The port complex has at its disposal 70,000 sq. m in-door and 400,000 sq. m open-air storage area.

Current priority industry sectors
The economic profile of the Region includes: machine-building, shipbuilding, chemical industry, sea and air transport, tourism, food processing and wine industries. The industrial zones of Varna and Provadia are composed of over 100 enterprises, shipbuilding and repair, diesel engines, communications, sea-navigation, medical and household goods, textile and ready-made clothes, furniture and metallurgy. Food and wine industries produce over 50,000 tons per year. Fruits and vegetable conserves, sugar, salt, beer, soft drinks, fresh and processed meat and milk products are processed. Concentrated in Devnya and Beloslav are large scale chemical industries. The plants produce soda ash, cement, polyvinilchloride, fertilizers, detergents, washing and cleaning products, glass and sanitary glass, household chemical products. Port Varna is the second largest port (after Bourgas port) in Bulgaria. The ferryboat Varna - Ilichovsk is a direct bridge to Ukraine.
Agriculture: Prevailing in the region are grains and fodder cultures, vineyards and orchards. Main priorities are restoration of the vineyards (20 000 dka), creation of orchards (20 000 dka), rehabilitation of the irrigation systems, creation of small grain-depots, reconstruction of the stock-breeding farms, establishment of stock-exchanges and Agrobusiness centre.

Tourism and Culture

Last but not least, Varna region is a major scientific and cultural centers in the country. There are 9 universities, 4 of them in the city.
Within Varna are among the most prestigious resorts on the Black Sea coast. Tourist Complex Golden Sands, Sts. Constantine and Helen, "Riviera" and "Sunny Day" share the reputation of the most famous resorts in the world. Cnernomorets is an area south of Varna with steep banks covered with thick forests. The complex has many bungalows, chalets and rest stations. Natural and historical landmarks around Varna, including protected areas "Aladzha Monastery, Kazashko" Place Ecopark - university botanical garden and nature park "Golden Sands" create additional conditions for recreation and tourism. Resort complexes located near Varna have over 40 000 beds, representing one third of hotel facilities in the country. The tourism business is making about 10 percent of national income produced in the area.
Vinytsa famous neighborhood is located 10 km northeast of Varna. The wooded area around the neighborhood is a favorite place of the inhabitants of the town for walking and picnics and in the neighborhood has many private hotels, rest houses and restaurants. Cape Galata is attractive geographical entity with high rocky shores. At closeness is the Galata district, where many private hotels and holiday houses. About Asparuhov bridge, near the neighborhood Asparuhovo are the remains of Asparuhovo stronghold. Bridge is very popular especially with organized there bundji jumps. Not far away is the site Dzhanavara. It is basilica of  the early chrristian period. Fossil forest is one of the biggest attractions of Varna. It is located 20 km from the city. City Devnya connects through a water channel in Varna lake. In the vicinity are the remains of the ancient city Martsianopolis - the second largest in the ancient city after Filipopolis (nowadays Plovdiv). Petrich fortress rises against the shared station, near the railway line Varna - Sofia. Fort was built in the fifth century, then destroyed, and built in 13-14 century. The fortress was an important bearing point during the battle of Vladislav Varnenchik in 1444. Rocks around the fortress are ideal for rock climbing.