Botevgrad

Botevgrad (Bulgarian: Ботевград) is a town in western Bulgaria. It is located in Sofia Province and is close to Pravets. Botevgrad lies 47 km from Sofia.

Botevgrad

Ботевград
Town
Coat of arms
Botevgrad
Location of Botevgrad
Coordinates: 42°54′30″N 23°47′31″E
CountryBulgaria
Province (Oblast)Sofia
Government
 • MayorIvan Gavalyugov (GDBOP)
Area
 • Town53.298 km2 (20.578 sq mi)
Elevation
395 m (1,296 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Town20,052
 • Density380/km2 (970/sq mi)
 • Urban
33,925
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
2140
Websitewww.botevgrad.org

History and name

The village was called Samundzhievo (Самунджиево) until it was elevated to town status at the end of 1865 under the name of Orhanie (Орхание). On 1 December 1934 the city was named Botevgrad (Ботевград) after Hristo Botev.

Geography

Botevgrad and its hinterland are located in an elliptical valley with a total area of 5,066 km². The municipality covers parts of the Western Stara Planina mountain — Razhana, Murgash, Bilo and Golyama Planina and some parts of the Northern Balkan. Vitinya Pass connecting Northern Bulgaria with Southern Bulgaria and the proximity of the capital contribute to its strategic location. Botevgrad municipality borders the following municipalities: Pravets, Etropole, Gorna Malina, Elin Pelin, Svoge, Mezdra and Roman.

Climate
Climate data for Botevgrad, Bulgaria
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.8
(65.8)		 22.9
(73.2)		 33
(91)		 30
(86)		 35.5
(95.9)		 37.7
(99.9)		 38.5
(101.3)		 41.2
(106.2)		 41
(106)		 34.6
(94.3)		 26.8
(80.2)		 21
(70)		 41.2
(106.2)
Average high °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3)		 6.7
(44.1)		 11.5
(52.7)		 17.8
(64.0)		 22.4
(72.3)		 26.1
(79.0)		 29.2
(84.6)		 29.6
(85.3)		 25.1
(77.2)		 18.5
(65.3)		 12.4
(54.3)		 6.1
(43.0)		 17.6
(63.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0)		 2.1
(35.8)		 6.4
(43.5)		 12.3
(54.1)		 17.1
(62.8)		 20.4
(68.7)		 23.1
(73.6)		 23.1
(73.6)		 19.1
(66.4)		 12.9
(55.2)		 7.6
(45.7)		 2.5
(36.5)		 12.2
(54.0)
Average low °C (°F) −4.6
(23.7)		 −3.1
(26.4)		 1.1
(34.0)		 6.7
(44.1)		 10.8
(51.4)		 13.8
(56.8)		 16.0
(60.8)		 15.7
(60.3)		 12.3
(54.1)		 7.2
(45.0)		 3.1
(37.6)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F) −31.9
(−25.4)		 −29.5
(−21.1)		 −25.4
(−13.7)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −0.8
(30.6)		 4.3
(39.7)		 6.2
(43.2)		 5.7
(42.3)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −12.8
(9.0)		 −22.5
(−8.5)		 −31.9
(−25.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 45
(1.8)		 38
(1.5)		 49
(1.9)		 67
(2.6)		 104
(4.1)		 117
(4.6)		 84
(3.3)		 60
(2.4)		 60
(2.4)		 58
(2.3)		 57
(2.2)		 48
(1.9)		 787
(31.0)
Source: Stringmeteo.com[1]

Nature

The region of Botevgrad municipality is quite rich in natural resources. The relief is remarkable for its variety. The municipality covers the following geographic parts: a part of Botevgradska Kotlovina (the valley of Botevgrad), some parts of Botevgradski Predbalkan and four of the Balkan shoulders — Razhana, Golyama Planina, Murgash and Bilo. Kotlovinata Zhleba (Fillet Hollow) is situated between the main Balkan Range and the Northern Balkan.

The bottom of the hollow is the accumulative river terrace of Bebresh river and its tributaries. The low oval hills inside the hollow contribute to the countryside variety. Mount Murgash — 1687 m tall is the highest point of the highest mountain range to the south and south-west. Many rivulets run down the slopes of the heights. Prohoda Vitinya or Vitinya Pass connecting South Bulgaria with North Bulgaria is located on the territory of Botevgrad municipality.

Economy

Sensata Technologies group, which specialises in the design and production of added value electronics and electromechanical systems used in the automotive and consumer electronics industry, operates one large production plant in the town.

GE Pharmaceuticals operates a drugs factory and in 2006 Siemens opened a plant for the production of high voltage transformers.

Sport
Arena Botevgrad

Botevgrad has one of the leading basketball teams in the country, BC Balkan Botevgrad, who play at the Arena Botevgrad and have won 4 national championships and 4 national cups. The local football club is called PFC Balkan Botevgrad and plays at the Hristo Botev Stadium. The city has many sport fields - both for football and basketball. Other sports are also very popular - volleyball, swimming, chess, acrobatics and tennis.

Religion
Dormition of the Mother of God Church

The religious buildings in Botevgrad are:

  • Church of the Ascension of Christ
  • Dormition of the Mother of God Church
  • Monastery "Nativity of the Mother of God" in the Zelin village zone
  • United Methodist Church

Twin towns

Botevgrad is twinned with:

  • Central Botevgrad
  • Court Hall and garden
  • Botev monument and garden
  • Clock Tower
  • Fire trucks of the fire service
  • Botevgrad house of science
  • Library Ivan Vazov
gollark: I actually have about three.
gollark: Why are you in a religion instead of making your own?
gollark: Oh, you have a "religion"?
gollark: firecubez, want to marry someone?
gollark: ++magic sql `select e1 || ' is married to ' || e2 from marriages`

References
  1. http://www.stringmeteo.com
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