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The Rhodope Mountains The Rhodopes (Bulgarian: Родопи, Rodopi, usually used with a definite article: Родопите, Rodopite, sometimes also called Родопа, Rodopa or Родопа планина, Rodopa planina; Greek: Ροδόπη, Rodopi, "red aspect") are a mountain range in South Eastern Europe, with over 83% of its area in southern Bulgaria and the remainder in Greece. Its highest peak, Golyam Perelik (2,191 m), is the seventh highest Bulgarian mountain. The region is particularly notable for the Karst areas with their deep river gorges, large caves and specific sculptured forms, such as the Trigrad Gorge. |
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The Rhodopes are spread over 14,737 square km, of which 12,233 square km are on Bulgarian territory. The mountains are about 220 km long and about 100-120 km wide, with an average altitude of 785 m. 15 reserves have been established in the region, some of which under UNESCO protection. There are many mineral water springs, the most famous being in Velingrad and Narechen. Western RhodopesThe Western Rhodopes are the larger (66% of the area of the Rhodopes in Bulgaria), higher, most infrastructurally developed and most visited part of the mountains. The highest and best known peaks are located in the region (more than 10 are over 2,000 m) including the highest one, Golyam Perelik (2,191 m). Among the other popular peaks are Shirokolashki Snezhnik (2,188 m), Golyam Persenik (2,091 m), Batashki Snezhnik (2,082 m), Turla (1,800 m). Some of the deepest river gorges in the Rhodopes are located in the western parts, as well as the rock phenomenon Wonderful Bridges. Significant bodies of water include the Chaira lakes and the dams Dospat, Batak, Shiroka Polyana, Golyam Beglik and Toshkov Chark.
The city
of Batak
is also
located
in this
part of
the
mountains,
as well
as the
popular
tourist
centres
Smolyan,
Velingrad,
Devin,
Chepelare,
the
winter
resort
Pamporovo,
the
Eastern
Orthodox
Bachkovo
Monastery,
the
ruins of
the Asen
dynasty's
fortress,
the
caves
Dyavolskoto
Garlo,
Yagodinska
and many
others.
The
highest
village
in
Bulgaria,
Manastir
(over
1,500
m), is
crouched
in the
northern
foot of
Prespa
Peak. A
number
of
architectural
reserves,
such as
Shiroka
Laka,
Kovachevitsa,
Momchilovtsi,
Kosovo,
are also
located
in the
area.
Eastern RhodopesThe Eastern Rhodopes are spread over a territory of about 34% of the mountains' area in Bulgaria, constituing a much lower part.
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The large artificial dams Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets are located in this part of the mountains. The region is rich in thermal mineral springs. The waters around Dzhebel have national reputation for healing various diseases. Belite Brezi is an important healing centre for respiratory and other ailments. Major cities in the area are Haskovo and Kardzhali, as well as the smaller Momchilgrad, Krumovgrad, Zlatograd and Kirkovo. The Eastern Rhodopes, being significantly lower, are also more populated than the western part.
Southern Rhodopes The Southern Rhodopes are the part of the mountain range that is located in Greece. The Rhodope Prefecture in the northern part of the country is named after the region. |
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