Kyustendil Province

Kyustendil Province is a province in southwestern Bulgaria, extending over an area of 3084.3 km² (constituting 2.7% of the total territory of the Republic of Bulgaria), and with a population of 163,889. It borders on the provinces of Sofia, Pernik, and Blagoevgrad; to the west, its limits coincide with the state borders between Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia, and between Bulgaria and the Republic of Serbia. The administrative center of the Province is Kyustendil.

Geography

The region features diverse surface relief — fertile valleys and canyons, separated by hillocks and mountains. The northern and western parts of the territory form the so-called "Kyustendilsko kraishte" (Kyustendil Cornerland) and include parts of the cross-border Milevska, Chudinska, Zemenska and — to the east — Konyavska mountains. To the south, the Kyustendilsko kraishte reaches as far as the valleys of the Dragovishtitsa and Bistritsa[disambiguation needed] rivers, as well as the Lisets mountain. The southern part of the region includes massifs of the Osogovo, Vlahina and northwestern Rila mountains, embracing the Kamenitsa, Kyustendil and Dupnitsa lowerlands.

The region is divided in two under-districts: Kyustendil in west and Dupnitsa in east. In Dupnitsa region there are the geographic areas of Gorno pole (Upper field), Dolno pole (Lower field), and the area Razmetanitsa where the Emperor Samuil of Bulgaria killed his brother Aron and his family.

The region abounds with granites, clays, fossils, and ores. Polymetal ores are excavated in Osogovo; brown coals in the Bobov dol mines. Clays deposits are located at the villages of Chetirtsi, Yahinovo and Dragovishtitsa. The region, however, is most famous for its numerous mineral water springs: hot mineral water springs in Kyustendil, Sapareva banya, the villages of Nevestino and Chetirtsi. A marvel of nature, found in the region are the Stobski piramidi (Stob pyramids).

For the most part, the climate is transcontinental, but at higher altitudes it is mountainous. The main drainage river is Struma whose subsidiaries are the Treklyanska, Dragovishtitsa, Bistritsa, Slokoshtitsa, Novoselska, Dzherman and Rila rivers. Subterranean water levels are relatively high. Near the village of Kamenichka Skakavitsa, the Golemi dol river forms a 70-meter-high waterfall. The Dyakovo, Bersin, Drenov dol and Bagrentsi artificial lakes (dams) are chiefly used for irrigation purposes. Soil composition is most favorable for the traditionally developed fruit-growing.

Forest vegetation is mostly deciduous, although coniferous forests are present. The Gabra natural reservation (area: 89,5 metric hektars) houses the last remaining black-pine trees.

Population

Kyustendil province had a population of 135,664 according to the 2011 census, of which 7001489000000000000♠48.9% were male and 7001511000000000000♠51.1% were female.

The following table represents the change of the population in the province after World War II:

Kyustendil Province Year 1946 1956 1965 1975 1985 1992 2001 2005 2007 2009 2011 Population 199,936 193,571 197,096 198,876 190,714 181,347 162,534 152,714 149,187 145,577 136,686 Sources: National Statistical Institute, „Census 2001“, „Census 2011“, „pop-stat.mashke.org“,??

Ethnic groups

Ethnic groups in Kyustendil Province (2011 census) Ethnic group Percentage Bulgarians   92.9% Gypsies   6.4% others and indefinable   0.7%

Total population (2011 census): 136 686
Ethnic groups (2011 census):

Of 130,615 persons:

• Bulgarians: 121 351 (92,91%)
• Gypsies: 8 305 (6,36% )
• Others and indefinable: 959 (0,73%)

Ethnic groups in the province according to 2001 census:

• Bulgarians: 152,644 (7001939000000000000♠93.9%)
• Roma (Gypsy): 8 294 (7000510000000099999♠5.1%)
• Others and indefinable: 1596 (7000100000000000000♠1%)

It should be noted that most of the Gypsies live within the city limits of Kyustendil, the provincial center of Bulgaria with largest concentration of Gypsies, where they are 5,179, constituting 12.2% of the population. Most of the rest are to be found in the second largest city of Dupnitsa, where they are 2,333.

Language

Mother tongues in the province according to 2001 census:

• 153,242 Bulgarian (7001943000000000000♠94.3%)
• 7,929 Roma (Gypsy) (7000490000000000000♠4.9%)
• 1363 others and unspecified (6999800000000000000♠0.8%)

Religion

Religions in Kyustendil Province (2001 census) Religious group Percentage Orthodox Christian   95.1% Protestant Christian   0.6% Muslim   0.1% Roman Catholic Christian   0% others and indefinable   4.1%

Religious adherence in the province according to 2001 census:

Census 2001 religious adherence population % Orthodox Christians 154 637 7001951000000000000♠95.1% Protestants 928 6999600000000000000♠0.6% Muslims 231 6999100000000000000♠0.1% Roman Catholics 76 5000000000000000000♠0% Other 1 013 6999600000000000000♠0.6% Religion not mentioned 5 649 7000350000000000000♠3.5% total 162 534 100%