Veliko Tarnovo Province

Veliko Tarnovo is a province in the middle of the northern part of Bulgaria. Its capital city, Veliko Tarnovo, is of historical significance as it is known as the capital of Medieval Bulgaria. The province is divided into 10 municipalities with a total population, as of December 2009, of 275,395 inhabitants.

Other towns in the province include Gorna Oryahovitsa, which is within 10 kilometres of Veliko Tarnovo, Svishtov, set on Danube River and famous for its Tsenov Academy of Economics, and Suhindol, the hometown of Lovico — an internationally recognised label for fine wines and spirits. Another notable place is the village of Arbanasi, set between Veliko Tarnovo and Gorna Oryahovitsa. The combination of old style and modern architecture, as well as its churches and monasteries, present the spirit of Bulgaria. Real estate is among the most expensive in the country.

Population

The Veliko Tarnovo province had a population of 293,294 (293,172 also given) according to a 2001 census, of which 7001483000000000000♠48.3% were male and 7001516000000000000♠51.6% were female. As of the end of 2009, the population of the province, announced by the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, numbered 275,395 of which 7001260000000000000♠26% are inhabitants aged over 60 years.

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

Veliko Tarnovo Province Year 1946 1956 1965 1975 1985 1992 2001 2005 2007 2009 2011 Population 352,179 344,078 339,473 349,108 339,518 318,251 293,294 283,599 278,764 275,395 258,494 Sources: National Statistical Institute, „Census 2001“, „Census 2011“, „pop-stat.mashke.org“,??

Ethnic groups

Ethnic groups in Veliko Tarnovo Province (2011 census) Ethnic group Percentage Bulgarians   90.3% Turks   6.7% Gypsies   1.7% others and indefinable   1.3%

Total population (2011 census): 258 494

Ethnic groups (2011 census): Identified themselves: 233,992 persons:

• Bulgarians: 211 353 (90,32%)
• Turks: 15 709 (6,71%)
• Gypsies: 3 875 (1,65%)
• Others and indefinable: 3 055 (1,31%)

A further 25,000 persons in the Province did not declare their ethnic group at the 2011 census.

Religion

Religions in Veliko Tarnovo Province (2001 census) Religious group Percentage Orthodox Christian   87.0% Muslim   8.9% Roman Catholic Christian   1.1% Protestant Christian   0.1% others and indefinable   2.9%

Religious adherence in the province according to 2001 census:

Census 2001 religious adherence population % Orthodox Christians 254,914 86.95% Muslims 26,085 8.90% Roman Catholics 3,111 1.06% Protestants 417 0.14% Other 1,141 0.39% Religion not mentioned 7,504 2.56% total 293,172 100%