Shumen town information
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Location and historyIn the heart of Northeastern Bulgaria The Municipality of Shumen is situated in the central part of Northeastern Bulgaria. The city of Shumen is the tenth largest Bulgarian municipality. It serves as an administrative center of the region and is situated of important crossroad. Through him traversed North railways line Sofia-Varna and the link with direction Shumen-Komunari-South Bulgaria. The Hemus highway, the Ruse-Shumen-Varna, Sofia-Targovishte-Belokopitovo and Silistra-Shumen-Yambol international roads pass through the region. The central bus station and the railway station are next to each other situated in the eastern part of the town, behind the town park. The nearest operating airport is that in Varna. Burgas Airport is 136 km away and Sofia Airport is 365.The beautiful nature of the region together with its rich historical and cultural heritage attracts many tourists and offers them unforgettable moments. Bulgaria begins from here! The city of Shoumen was founded 3200 years ago. During ancient times the city was cradle on the rich spirit and significant culture – Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians. In close proximity to Shoumen are the first two capitals of the Bulgarian nation – Pliska and Veliki Preslav and the religious center Madara. The literary schools of Pliska and Preslav were founded in the 9th century establishing Bulgaria as a center of the Slavic culture and the reign of Tsar Simeon is dubbed the “Golden Century of Bulgarian Culture”.The unique bas-relief of the Madara horseman (Madarski konnik), included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is located in this region.As far as the name oh Shumen is concerned there are two opinions among the scientists. The first one is that the name originates from the name of king Simeon the Great: Simeonis-Shimeonis-Shumen. The second one is that the name originates from "shouma - a thickly forested place". Since its foundation until the 14th c. the town was located in the area of the Shoumen fortress, which was a complex of fortifications, residential and cult buildings. After Vladislav of Varna’s crusade in 1444 the town was destroyed and moved to its present location at the foot of the Ilchov slope. Shoumen was one of the most active centres at the time of the Bulgarian Renaissance. On May, 22, 1813 the town witnessed the first public celebration of the day of the saintly brothers Cyril and Methodius and the first theatrical performance.In 1828 the first girls’ monastery school was founded and in 1856 the first girls’ class school. In 1846 the first amateur school ensembles were founded.The first Bulgarian symphony orchestra was also founded in Shumen in 1850. Investments and development of the real estate marketThe municipality is in the middle of region Shoumen – to south bordered with municipalities Veliki Preslav and Smiadovo, to north – with municipalities Kaspichan and Hitrino. To east Municipality of Shoumen bordered with Municipality of Provadia and region Varna, to west – with Municipality of Loznica from region Razgrad and Municilality of Targovishte from region Targovishte. In the framework of the municipality included city of Shoumen and 26 villages – Belokopitovo, Blagovo, Vasil Drumev, Velino, Vehtovo, Gradishte, Dibich, Drumevo, Ivanski, Ilia Bluskovo, Kladenec, Koniovec, Kostena reka, Lozevo, Madara, Marash, Novosel, Ovcharovo, Panaiot Volovo, Radko Dimitrievo, Salmanovo, Srednia, Struino, Tsarev brod, Cherencha. The area of city of Shoumen is 17 700 decars, and the housing zone takes 11 140 decars, and the zone of town economy 6 560 decars. The general area of the 25 villages in the municipality is 18 327 decars.The population of the Municipality is under 100 000 people. In 2003 it was 102 429 people, which is 51% of the Shumen region. From the middle of the XX c. the rural population is steadily decreasing. Currently, it is stabilized to one value. The growth is having a positive trend. The increase is due to the remigration of older people. The town of Shumen has a favorable age structure, with high share of the population between 15 and 64 years and with higher share of the young population in comparison with the old population. The education level of the population is the other important characteristic of the municipality. For the last years an increase of the people with university degrees, with semi-university degrees and general education degrees was reported. Shumen is one of the municipalities, which occupies an important place in the economic development of the north – eastern region. It is of greatest importance for the economy in the region in which it is situated. Measured with the indicatorrevenues from sales per person, despite, last years decreases, the municipal level are highly under the average for the country – with 50 %. In 2003 77.5 % of the revenues are formed in the municipality, 78.1 % of the gross production is manufactured in the municipality and 80.7 % of the long – term tangible assets are concentrated there. 52 % of all active population for the region is also concentrated in Shumen Municipality. The municipality’s economic indicators – GDP and Bulgarian National Standard show that it is on the third place in the north – eastern region as well as its significant importance for the financial performance and development of the region.Shumen Municipality proximity to Black sea’s coastline favours the development of the tourism. Closely are situated National historical and architectural Preserve NHAP “Pliska” and National historical and architectural Preserve “Veliki Preslav”, which are not part of the municipality’s territory but, are of the Municipality cultural and historical legacy ages. The most important for the economy of the Shumen Region are automotive, non-ferrous metals, perfumery and cosmetics, electronics, furniture, agriculture products processing, wine production, porcelain and faience, tailoring and textile industries. The main agricultural products are wheat, corn, sunflower, grapes and barley. The Municipality of Shoumen is planning to build Park for high technology productions in the surrounding area in town Shoumen.The project envisages the initial development of the following activities: production of biodiesel, fuel ethanol and silk. As a later stage, other production, compatible with the initial industries, will be developed in the zone. To create the optimum conditions for attracting investments, the municipality will work with the investors in developing the engineering structure. The characteristic of the terrains are: favorable and attractive location and transport approach in all directions. The industry is the leading sector for the economic development of the municipality. The Turkish company “Faf” owns 16,91 % of the share equity of Alkomet AD. The Dutch Carlsberg Breweries A/S is the major owner of “Shumensko pivo” and it has invested EUR 4 mln. The American corporation “Mebel’ and the American firm “ Jenex – 3” are the owners of the “Mebel Djen”. Shell – Bulgaria and OMV are major investors in the city. In 2001 a hypermarket was constructed from the Austrian company “Billa”. In 2002 was opened a chain shop “Technopolis”. It is expected that a hypermarket from the German chain Kaufland will be finished soon. Some of the big companies in the town are: “Madara”-produces trucks and spare parts, “Allkomet” – specializes in the production of shaped aluminium metal and products from aluminum alloys. Group “FIKOSOTA”- a group of newly formed firms working within a single factory; the core activities of the group are the production and trade of electrical appliances, soaps, and washing agents, “Lavena”-production and trade of natural aroma products, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. “Lida” Plc –production and trade of beverages and mineral water, “Domain Boyar” – purchase and processing of grape, production and trade of wines and high spirit alcoholic drinks, еtc. Real estates – market prices and rents Bulgarian property is a hot topic for many foreigners at the moment. There are several reasons: firstly is the climate,the nature and the cost of living.According to National Statistics Institute and National bank, the average market prices of dwellings in Shumen are as follows (EUR/m2): 2001-98.8, 2002-105.43, 2003-124.14, 2004-178.80, 2005 – 296.40, 2006 -338.7.The rents vary and it depends on the type, condition and the place of the property. Тhe specialists expect that there will be about 15-20 % increase of the property prices after the joining of Bulgaria to the EU. Ten investment advantages of the tenth Bulgarian town • Shumen is situated on important transportation crossroad • Proximity to roads, airports, river and sea ports• Developed infrastructure and communication systems • Skilled labour market • Traditions in light industry manufacturing• Optimum conditions for agriculture development • Free terrains for investments• Attractive prices of land and available real estate properties• Clean environment in the region • Business support from the local authorities TourismSport. One of the best places for paragliding….. Bulgaria is one of the newest and attractive tourist destinations. The various landscape and short distances make excellent conditions for all kinds of paragliding flying. The small hills near town of Shumen are maybe the best starting place for long distance flights. Shumens's plateau relief makes perfect conditions for it and you can go to the start place with car on an asphalt drive road. The region is characterized with the best conditions for without motor flying on the Balkans. During the period 1994-2005, Shumen was visited by paraglider pilots from Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary, Poland, England, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Canada etc. Аlso, there are other sports popular in Shumen-football, volley-ball, weightlifting, cave-tourism etc. Too many opportunities for tourism and sightseeing Shumen Municipality has many favorable factors influencing the development of the tourism sector. The major are as follows: rich cultural and historic heritage, places of interest and close proximity to the seaside resorts. Shumen and the region have a great potential and many unexploited resources for the tourism development. Almost all of the sites on the territory of the municipality could be included as tourism and sightseeing locations. Many cultural and historical sites in the municipality and the region are already presented in different tour operating programs and individual routes. National historical archeological preserve “Madara” is the most famous place of interest in the Municipality. The following places of interest are the most famous : Natural park “Shumen Plateau”, which combines the natural beauty, the history and the cultural heritage of the region; secured place “Dabovete”, secured place “Marashka mogila”, National historical archeological preserve “Madara”, historical-archaeological preserve “Shumen fortress”- оne of the few well-ivestigated archaeological sites in Bulgaria , Tombul Mosque, Stud breeding farm “ Kabiuk”.The Madara Rider represents a sculpture of a horse-rider triumphing over a lion with its spear. What makes it unique is the fact that the sculpture is carved into a 100m-high cliff. The name of the sculpture comes from the nearby village of Madara, situated about 15km to the east of Shumen. According to historical documents, Madara was the main sacred place of pagan worship during the First Bulgarian State. The inscriptions beside the sculpture, discovered many years after the original finding of the sculpture, tell of events that happened during the period of 705-801 AC. The complex “Founders of the Bulgarian state” was built in honour of the 1300th anniversary from the establishment of the Bulgarian state.The monument reproduces the moment of uttering of the sacred "This is the place, where Bulgaria will be" by khan Asparoukh, the grand construction activity at the time of khan Omourtag’s reign, the act of conversion and the processes of christianization and consolidation of the Bulgarian nation and culture, while a big mosaic work shows the highlights of the Golden AgeThe monument is crowned by the figure of a lion - symbol of the Bulgarian spirit and power throughout the centuries. The monument was unveiled on November, 28th, 1981. There is an Information centre and some cafes near the monument, providing the visitors, Bulgarian as well as foreign, with a place for rest. There is a wide staircase with 1300 steps, which begins near the town centre, and two asphalt roads that lead to the monument. It is on 450 m. above sea level and is seen in from a 30 km radius. The Tombul mоsque is a cultural architectural ensemble built during 1744. The mosque is the second largest on the Bulkan Peninsula. An operative Muslim church. In close proximity to the Municipality of Shumen are located the National historical archaeological preserve “Pliska” and the National historical archaeological preserve “Veliki Preslav”, which though situated out of the Municipality's borders are part of its cultural and historical inheritance. Places of interestThere are a number of cultural institutions in Shumen as well: Dramatic Theatre “Vasil Drumev”, State Philharmonic, Art Gallery ”Elena Karamihailova”, Regional library “Stiliyan Chilingirov”. The historical museum, as the natural centre of the regional museum network, has the functions of a large centre, of an institution for scientific, research, cultural and educational activities. The exposition, shown as a broad panorama of the upward development in the course of 7 millenia, gives the visitors a chance to come into contact with more than 5000 exhibits. Shumen is a university centre. There is the Konstantin Preslavski University and the Higher Military School of artillery and air defense “Panayot Volov”, many primary and pofessional secondary schools. The health care of the municipality is provided by a well-developed network of medical institutions and outpatient services.If you want to have a fun here, there are plenty of taverns with traditional Bulgarian style, where you can taste the Bulgarian cuisine, bars, night clubs and restaurants.
Source: www.bgp.bg |
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