Zlatograd
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Zlatograd is a town in Bulgaria, 60 km from Smolyan, its name literally translates to Gold town. It is located in a valley between the eastern and central massif of the Rhodope mountains. The Greek border lies just 5 km away from the town.
Administrative location: Zlatograd municipality is spread on a territory of 175.8 km². It has common borders with the municipalities of Kirkovo and Dzhebel (to the east), Nedelino (to the north), Madan and Rudozem (to the west) and with the Republic of Greece (to the south) - on the borderline between Bulgaria and Greece).
Relief: mountainous;
Climate: The municipality is included in the transient-Mediterranean climate region.
Mineral resources: lead-zinc ore;
Water resources:: The territory of the municipality is crossed by Varbitza river which is 98.1 km long and its catchment basin is 1202.8 km. Nedelinska and Kushlenska rivers are tributaries of Varbitza. There is a dam lake called "Zlatograd" with water capacity of 4,4.106 m . and a micro dam lake called "Hasidere" (0,4.106 m).
Soils: maroon forest leached (97.59 km²); brown forest-dark (12 km²); brown forest-transient (83.37 km²); brown forest light (117.59 km²); alluvial-delluvial (0.59 km²); humus-carbonate (11.07 km²);
Forest Fund: It covers an area of 144.60 km². The following species like beech, hornbeam, oak, birch and cornel-tree are mostly spread among the broad-leaved forests. Prevailing coniferous trees are spruce, fir-tree, white and black pine.
Environment: There is a tailings pond called "Erma Reka" which is 8 km away from the town of Zlatograd and 5 km away from the village of Erma Reka. The municipality is rich in underground resources. In the surroundings of Erma Reka there is a geothermal deposit of hot mineral water.
Population and settlements: The total number of population is 14,874 (7,285 males and 7,589 females) citizens, most of them living in the town of Zlatograd (8,444) and the villages of Starcevo and Erma reka (the total number of village population is 6,430). The municipality comprises Zlatograd and 9 more settlements.
Labour force and unemployment: The rate of unemployment is 32.64 %, which is the highest since 1990. The active population is 8,063 citizens of whom 50,97 % are employed in the public sector and 49.03 % in the private sector.
Agricultural Fund: It covers 25 km² and the arable land is 12 km². The cultures grown in the municipality are tobacco, potatoes, vegetables and strawberries (representatives of perennial plants).
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