GARMEN
MUNICIPALITY - A POTENTIAL FOR NEW INVESTMENTS |
Hello!
The municipality of Garmen is a small municipality in the
South-western Rhodopi mountain.We do not have big industrial
factories but we do have a lot of cultural and historical
monuments that show our region’s interesting past.There
are also unique natural resources, fresh air and healing thermal
mineral water.All this combined with the perfect climate conditions
is a reasonable potential for the development of various touristic
activities you can invest into.The wealth of Garmen municipality
is its people famous for their hospitality and diligence,
people who have succeeded to preserve their originality and
their skills in creating beauty.
If you choose to invest in our municipality you will take
part together with us into the turning of this municipality
into an attractive place to live in and work in and a preferred
place for business and recreation.
When
you come here you will find not only excellent partners for
your business but you will also find out a picturesque part
of Bulgaria, an interesting mixture of past and future, traditional
and modern.
Welcome to
Garmen municipality!
Ahmed Bashev
- mayor of Garmen municipality
|
|
|
|
The municipality of
Garmen is situated in the south-western part of Bulgaria on
an area of 388,5 sq km.It includes parts of the river Mesta
valley and parts of the western mountainsides of the western
Rhodopi Dabrash ridge. To the east, north and south it borders
the municipalities of Satovcha, Bansko and Hadjidimovo and
to the north-east and south-west it borders the municipalities
of Velingrad and Gotse Delchev. The municipality consists
of 16 villages with 15 114 residents. The municipality’s
centre is Garmen village
|
|
INFRASTRUCTURE |
Transport infrastructure
The road network of Garmen municipality includes third-class roads
(34 km) and municipality roads (51 km). The main thoroughfare is
road III-197 Gotse Delchev-Satovcha-Dospat.
Of special importance for the municipality’s social and economical
development is the connection with road II -19 Simitli-Razlog-Gotse
Delchev-Drama which is a prerequisite for an active economical development
and makes the municipality more attractive for the outer business.
The importance of this connection will increase with the opening
of frontier checkpoint post Ilinden.
Water-supply
3/4 of the villages in the municipality have central water-supply
laid on and 80% of the population have an access to these public
utility services. The water-supply system consists of exterior
system 40km and interior system 65 km.
Telecommunications
Well developed: the GSM operators Mtel and Globul have covered the
whole area of the municipality. All villages are connected to the
automatic telephone dialing system. The Internet access is performed
through the net built by the cable operators.
Power-supply
The electrical network is with an even distribution throughout the
municipality area and includes all villages. The network is entirely
aerial, with a total length of 144 km and 90 km aerial main power
lines. |
|
NATURAL RESOURCES |
The
subterranean natural resources in the municipality are highly varied.
The gneisses on the land of the villages Krushevo and Dolno Dryanovo
are of great interest- they have excellent decorative features,
they could be glazed and are weather –proof. They are used
for the covering of buildings.
On the land of the villages Baldevo and Garmen there are brown coal
finds and in Garmen-kieselguhr finds.
The water resources on the territory of Garmen municipality are
formed by surface water and underground water. The surface water
is the river of Mesta and its Rhodopi tributaries Kanina and Dabnishka
river (Varbitsa). There are 17 warm mineral spa springs 1km to the
north-east of the village of Ognyanovo in the valley of the river
Kanina.
The forestry fund occupies 26 760 de cares or 69% of the municipality’s
territory. It is comparatively rich- coniferous woods are predominant
(pine, spruce, white fur) but there are also deciduous trees represented
by beech and oak.
|
CLIMATE |
The
municipality is situated in the borderline between two climate zones-temperate
continental which is the predominant one and transitory Mediterranean
which comes from the Mesta river valley. The seasons are clearly
distinguishable-a warm summer and a moderately cold winter. |
HUMAN
RESOURCES |
Population
According to the data from the Civil Administrative Municipality
Register the population of the municipality of Garmen is 14 395
people by 31st December 2004 - 7178 men and 7217 women. The density
of population is 37 people per square km. The age structure of
the population is favourable for a demographic development-3306
people (22,48%) are in an under-able bodied age, 8866 people (
60,29%) are in an able-bodied age , and 2533 people(17,23%) are
unable to work.
Employment and unemployment
According to the data from the National Statistics Institute 52,6%
of the people are employed in the agriculture from which 17,7%
in tobacco gowing.42% are employed in industry. In the utility
services sector the public sector is predominant-25%, trade ranks
second with 3%, and tourism-1%. Women are mostly employed in agriculture
and in textile industry and men are employed mostly in agriculture
and industry.
Unemployment
In October 2005 the unemployment level in the municipality of
Garmen is 9,5% or 725 people. Most of them are women and 347 men.The
long-term unemployed –for more than a year are 361 people.
|
THE
ECONOMIC IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GARMEN |
Condition
and tendencies
The number of the firms registered in Garmen is 863 and the active
firms are 236. The number of the active firms is constantly growing
during the period 1999-2005. The greatest part of the firms registered
is in the sphere of public utility services (81,82%), industry (16,06%),
and agriculture (12,12%).
We expect that the opening of the frontier checkpoint post Ilinden
will contribute for the economical growth and will influence the
business development by attracting Bulgarian and Greek investments.
|
Forestry
enterprise
The timber resources on the territory of the municipality of Garmen
is 270 270 decares or 69,6% of the municipality’s territory.97,92%
of the forestry area belong to the state forestry fund, 1,74% are
private property, 0,23% belong to religious organizations, and the
remaining 0,11% are municipality property.
Agriculture
Garmen municipality is situated in a hilly region where the local
economy is strongly dependent on agriculture as a source of incomes
and employment. 52,6% of the employed people work in farmyards.
The main part of the arable land is occupied by tobacco (6535 decares)
and maze (1200 decares). There are perennial plants too (1200 decares).
The stock-breeding has got a smaller share in the agricultural production.
Cattle-breeding and sheep-breeding are dominating. There are some
positive results in the field of bee-keeping-three registered bee-keepers
and 83 apiaries.
|
Industry
Garmen municipality is not strongly industrialized, theris not an
industrial production to worsen the environmental parametres and
the percentage of industry employed people is 41,4%.
The light industry is represented by boot-and shoe industry and
clothing industry as well as food industry- its production is released
in the municipality region-bread and non-alcoholic drinks etc. The
growth potential of this sector is strongly dependent on the agricultural
growth.
|
Tourism |
|
The
municipality of Garmen is very favourably situated to develop its
tourism. The touristic sector has got a significant growth potential
and is of big importance for the local economy. The execution of
PHAR project for trans-frontier cooperation – the rehabilitation
of road II-19 Razlog-Gotse Delchev-Drama will improve the access
to the municipality and will increasw the number of tourists visiting
our region.
Up to now there are 15 shelter utilities's with the capacity of
650 beds in our municipality.
The municipality of Garmen has got an enormous potential to develop
various touristic supply-spa-tourism, historical, cultural, rural
and eco tourism. |
Touristic
eco-paths: Kovatchevitsa- Skrebatno- Osikovo- Ribnovo;
Kovatchevitsa- Dolen and Garmen- Kovatchevitsa can bring you closer
to the preserved nature of the Rhodopi mountains and they are an
excellent resource for the eco tourism development.
Architectural reserve Kovatchevitsa(23 km away from Gotse Delchev)
can be a prerequisite for the development of historical and cultural
tourism.
|
It
is an architectural and historical phenomenon acknowledged a unique
architectural testimony together with the architectural building
school in the southwestern Rhodopi with its centre and most outstanding
representative – Kovatchevitsa.
Most of the houses are restored (keeping the old tradition) and
are ready to receive visitors. Out of these houses the more famous
ones are: Bayatevata kashta (Bayatev’s House), Zherevata,
Kapsazovata, Milchevata, Velchevata kashta (all Houses).
|
A
precious resource for the tourism’s development in Garmen
municipality are the archeological and natural objects situated
in the village of Garmen. |
Archeological
objects:
• “NIKOPOLIS AD NESTUM” – an ancient Roman
city situated in the southern suburb of Garmen village. It occupies
an area of 13 hectares. As a result of the excavations in 1980 280
meters have been cleared out. Judging from the typical shape of
the towers and the building of the fortifications as well as the
findings discovered here we can say that the fortress dates back
to the 4 century and it probably was destroyed in the end of 6th
century or the beginning of the 7th century. This city was created
by emperor Trayan. We must say that during the excavations there
have been discovered findings from other historical periods. This
fact leads us to the conclusion that the city have been inhabited
for more than 14 centuries.
• “BASILICA” –it is situated 2,5 km to the
south-east of “Nikopolis Ad Nestum”in the “Gramadeto”
area. As a result of the excavations held in 1978-1979 there was
discovered a basilica with a nave and two aisles of the Elinistic
type with an average length 24,71 m.
Natural objects:
• Rock formations “Koziya Kamak”(The Goat’s
Stone”)(0,6 hectares)- with an ancient astronomical map and
“Chernata Skala”(The Black Rock)- approximately 15 km
away from Kovatchevitsa village, declared landmarks with order 1187(
09.04.1976 of the Ministry). The point of departure for the rock
formations is Forestry “Beslet”.
• “Kayaliyskite Skali”(Kayaliyski Rocks) –
they could be a rival to the famous Belogradchik Rocks- approximately
20 km away from Kovatchevitsa village.
• A well-kept reserve “Tamnata Gora”(The Dark
Forest)– declared a reserve with order 2811(10.10.1962) of
Main Forestry Board. It is situated in the western Rhodopi Dabrash
ridge on the territory of Kovatchevitsa village, its altitude is
1500-1700m and its area is 30,2 hectares.It is made to preserve
the age –old spruce-beech-pine tree forest.
• The Deep canyon by the river of Kanina in the area “Siniya
Vir”(the blue pool) is approximately within 1,30 hour walking
distance from Kovatchevitsa.
• “Tchinarite”(the plane trees) in Garmen-venerable
tres nearly 600 years old declared landmarks with orders 17 and
96 from 08.06.1968.
• Centuries –old white poplars in Dabnitsa
• The cave “Manolova Dupka”(Manol’s hole)
near Osikovo village-the longest cave in Dabrash.
Historical
places:
“Kara tash”(order 357 from 09.02.1973) 3,1 hectares
area and “Partizanski most(gurilla’s bridge)- order
3962 from 20.12.1973, 3,2 hectares area have been declared historical
places in the municipality of Garmen.
The rural tourism
is one of the most important and leading tendencies in the touristic
supply. It is well developed in Leshten( a country house village).
Country house village
“Leshten”( 15 km away from Gotse Delchev)- there are
15 reconstructed old Rhodopi style houses for a rural tourism.
They have got telephones, TV sets, kitchenettes and modern bathrooms
and WC's available- a perfect combination of Bulgarian tradition
and modern life utilities.The two taverns available for the guests
offer delicious Bulgarian dishes and are supplied by the owners’
farms. We can offer to our guests a lot of options for leisure
activities-hunting, fishing, riding, going out for a walk to the
mountain by jeeps or carts, herb or mushroom collecting.
The balneotherapy is connected with the thermal mineral springs
in Ognyanovo(12 km from Gotse Delchev) which have got a favorable
effect on a number of diseases. The beautiful nature and the thermal
mineral water turn Ognyanovo into a most preferred spa resort
for a lot of tourists from Bulgaria and abroad.
There are two groups of thermal mineral springs 1km away from
each other. The first group consists of 14 springs known as “Gradski
bani” (town’s spa), situated in the valley of Kanina
river, and the second group consists of 3-4 springs-the so called”Selski
bani”(village’s spa) is 1km to the north-east of Ognyanovo-hence-“Ognyanovo
spa resort”. The mineral water here is clear, without any
odour and pleasant to drink. The temperature of the thermal mineral
water varies between 39° and 43°. The Ognyanovo thermal
water has got a healing effect on some gynecological diseases,
helps the functioning of the kidneys; it has got a septic effect
on the peripheral nervous system, it also has got a healing effect
on rheumatism and neuralgia, renal calculus (stone in the kidney)
and biziary calculus (gall-stones).
There are three spas in the first group and two spas in the second
group of springs.
The Ognyanovo mineral water spa resort, situated in the valley
of Kanina River can offer you a good vacation within the whole
year. The coniferous and acacia foreste surrounding the spa, as
well as the clear water of Kanina river make this region more
attractive. You can enjoy a magnificent view from the nearest
slopes to the peaks of the majestic Pirin mountain. The Ognyanovo
thermal mineral water spa resort can offer very good conditions
for the development of different kinds of specialized tourism.
The favourable geographical position, the wonderful climate conditions
and the healing effect of these thermal spas attract a lot of
tourists from the region, the country, and from Greece. There
are several resorts in the area whose capacity is approximately
500 beds.
|
Hotels
and restaurants |
In
Ognyanovo village-phone code
07523:
1. Hotel «Victoria» telephone: 31 82
2. Spa resort «Mineral springs» telephone: 21 38
3. Hotel «Elis» telephone: 20 65
4. Villa «Mary» telephone: 21 68
5. Hotel «Bohema» telephone: 31 18
6. Villa «Paradise» telephone: 20 58
7. Hotel «Delta» telephone: 20 05
8. Complex «Petreliyski» telephone: 0888 846993; 0898
564942
9 . Hotel «Chinara» telephone: 0887 791421; 0887 472387
|
In
Marchevo village- phone code 07523: |
1.
Hotel «Cherniya Kos» telephone: 30 82
2. Hotel «Meiz» telephone: 21 67
|
Country
House Village Leshten: |
telephone:
0751/2 91 07; 07527/522
telephone /fax: 07527/448
|
Kovatchevitsa
village: |
1. Spasov’s
House telephone: 02/24 30 83
2. Zhechev’s House telephone: 02/986 47 70; 07527/461
3. Kapsazov’s House telephone: 07527/443; 048 902 122; 048
969 676
4. Bayatev’s House telephone: 07523/30 44
5. Milchev’s House telephone: 07527/445
6. Velchev’s House telephone: 07527/482
|
The
potential for tourism development on the territory of the municipality
of Garmen is connected with the creation and promoting of ecotouristic
products, rural and cultural routes. The perspectives for the tourist
business are connected with the exploitation of the cultural and
historical resources available and the promoting of a regional tourist
product in cooperation with the other municipalities from the south-western
touristic region. |
|
Municipality
Administration Address: |
2960
Garmen village, district Blagoevgrad
|
telephone:
07523/20-40, 20-47 |
fax:07523/31-79 |
|
|
A
person to contact with:
|
Violeta
Boulgurova ”EU programmes and administrative register”
expert
|
Telephone:
07523/20-40 and 20-47/ 117
|
GSM:
0887 612338
|
|