The Central Balkan National Park lies in the heart of Bulgaria, covering the central ridge of the Balkan Mountain. The park hosts rare and endangered species, ecosystems of biological diversity, and historical sites of world importance. It is one of the largest protected areas in Europe. Both the park and eight of its nature reserves are on the UN List of Representative Protected Areas. Moreover, four of its nature reserves have been declared Biosphere Reserves under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program.
The Bulgarian authorities declared the Central Balkan a national park in 1991 in order to ensure better protection of its unique natural heritage. It stretches over an area of 71,669.5 hectares, while its total length is 85 kilometers. The park’s height varies from some 500m above sea level to the highest peak of the Balkan mountain, Botev – 2,376m. There are 9 nature reserves of total area of 20,019 hectares within its boundaries. The Park terrain includes spacious meadows, vertical rocks and deep canyons, waterfalls, as well as numerous peaks. About 20 of all its peaks are higher than 2,000 meters.
Here, one can find centuries-old forests of beech, fir, spruce, hornbeam, and durmast. More than half of the flora diversity of Bulgaria grows in the park while 10 of the flora species and 2 of the subspecies cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Over 130 of its plants and animals are included in the World Red Book of Endangered Species. Separately, there are 166 species of medicinal plants, 229 species of moss, 256 species of mushrooms, and 208 species of algae. The park is also home to 224 species of birds, making it a key international bird shelter.
