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The
geographical position of Vidin has been extremely favourable for
centuries to its development as a transport, trade and cultural
centre. Vidin Region is Bulgaria’s most important artery and
gate to Europe and the world. The region borders the Danube
River to the north and has got natural ways of connection with
neighbouring Romania and the other countries of the Danube zone.
It borders the Republic of Serbia to the west. The water
resources on the regions territory have been formed of both
surface and subterranean water. The Danube River and the Timok
River are the regions natural borders with the Republic of
Romania and the Republic of Serbia.The earth relief of Vidin
Region varies in altitude from the Danube River to the Balkan
Mountains. There are four natural geographical zones within the
region: the Danube Lowlands, the Hilly Danube Plain, the
Northern Balkan and the Balkan. The Danube Lowlands comprise the
waterfront strips at Vidin and at Archar and Orsoya. The
Lowlands’ altitude varies from about 20 m to 30 m. The Hilly
Danube Plain is the place to grow grain crops, sunflower, fodder
crops and vegetables.
The Northern
Balkan’s altitude varies from 200 m to 800 m above the sea
level. It ranges from Vrushka Chouka to the foot of the Balkan
Mountains, the Rabisha Hill and the Belogradchik
Crown of Rocks being its most outstanding secluded heights.
Vidin Municipality is in the North-West part of Bulgaria and it
covers an area of 3022 sq. km, which is 2.7 per cent of the
territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and comprises 141
settlements, divided into 11 municipalities in compliance with
the current territorial division of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The regions road infrastructure is of great micro and macro
importance, especially its
Vidin-Montana-Vratza-Botevgrad-Sofia Motorway,
which is part of the E-79 Vidin has been set to be the best site
for the construction of the second bridge between Bulgaria and
Romania across the Danube, opening a new route for Bulgarian
goods to Europe. Waterway transport is a major factor for the
region’s development. There are two river ports in the region:
the one at Vidin and the one at Novo Selo, which does not
function. These ports are part of the shortest way from Western
Europe through Bulgaria to the Aegean Sea. The mainland can be
connected to the capital cities of Europe by means of two
ferryboats, which are adjusted to transport passengers, buses
and automobile cars. A great deal of the traffic of goods to and
from Western Europe passes through Vidin .Railroad transport is
another factor, salient for the region’s economic development.
It is provided by a single railroad track from Vidin to
Drenovetz as a continuation of the Vidin-Sofia railroad and has
been fully electrified. There is a civil airport, situated on
the out skirts of Vidin, however it hasn’t been opened for a
while financial reasons. Distance to Sofia Airport - 250 km
(International Road E-79). |