Kardzhali Province

Kardzhali Province is the southernmost province of Bulgaria, bordering the Greek regional units of Xanthi, Rhodope and Evros. Its capital, Kardzhali, lies in the Eastern Rhodopes beside the Kardzhali Reservoir and is a regional economic hub.

The area was historically a centre of tobacco growing and of lead and zinc mining and processing. Today retail and services account for the largest share of local output, while the region's mountains, reservoirs and archaeological sites, such as the ancient city of Perperikon, give it growing potential for tourism.

Worth knowing

• Services and retail now the largest part of the local economy
• Tobacco growing and processing remain traditional activities
• Tourism around Perperikon and the Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets reservoirs
• Makaza border crossing to Greece