View from Ray Resthouse towards the Central Balkan Mountains. The Raysko Praskalo waterfall is in the middle.

The Central Balkan National Park lies in the heart of Bulgaria, nestled in the central and higher portions of the Balkan Range. The Park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historical sites of global cultural and scientific significance. Raysko Praskalo (Bulgarian: Райско пръскало) , 124,5 m in height, is the highest waterfall in Bulgaria and the Balkans. ... Stara Planina, Rhodope, Rila and Pirin Mountains The Stara Planina (Old Mountain) or Balkan mountain range is an extension of the Carpathian mountain range, separated from it by the Danube River. ...

History

The park in winter

The Central Balkan National Park was established in 1991 to conserve the unique natural scenery and heritage of this area and protect the customs and livelihood of the local population. The Park Directorate, a regional body of the Ministry of the Environment and Waters manages the Park. The Directorate engages local organizations, volunteers, and mountain enthusiasts in pursuing its goals. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2576x1932, 1180 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Bulgaria Wikipedia:Featured pictures visible User:Neofelis Nebulosa User:Spaully Shipka Pass Portal:Bulgaria Portal:Bulgaria/Featured picture User:Cyde/Featured pictures Wikipedia:Featured pictures thumbs 05 Wikipedia:Featured... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2576x1932, 1180 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Bulgaria Wikipedia:Featured pictures visible User:Neofelis Nebulosa User:Spaully Shipka Pass Portal:Bulgaria Portal:Bulgaria/Featured picture User:Cyde/Featured pictures Wikipedia:Featured pictures thumbs 05 Wikipedia:Featured...

Park statistics

• Area: 716.695 km²
• Total length: 85 km
• Average width: 10 km
• Highest peak: Botev at 2,376 meters above sea level
• Lowest elevation: near Karlovo, about 500 meters above sea level
• Wooded area: 440.008 km²
• Treeless area: 276.687 km²
• 70% of all ecosystems are natural
• There are 9 nature reserves, with a combined area of 200.19 km²

Botev Peak (Botev Vrah bo-tev vr&h) is a peak rising to about 370m in the southern extremity of the Veleka Ridge, Tangra Mountains, eastern Livingston Island. ... Karlovo is a town in Central Bulgaria located in a fertile valley along the river Striama (in Bulgarian: Стряма). It has a population of 28,000 (as of 2005). ...

Protected area

The Central Balkan National Park is one of the largest and most valuable of the protected areas in Europe. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has listed the Park as Category 2. The Park and eight of its nature reserves are on the UN List of Representative Protected Areas, and four of its nature reserves are included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. The Central Balkan National Park has became a full member of the WWF-led PAN (Protected Area Network) Parks. The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... The World Network of Biosphere Reserves was established at the International Conference on Biosphere Reserves in Seville in 1995. ... UNESCO logo UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... WWF redirects here. ...

Ecosystems

Centuries-old forests of beech, spruce, fir, hornbeam, and durmast cover most of the Park. More than half the flora of Bulgaria has been identified within the Park, and of these, 10 species and 2 subspecies are endemic, and are found nowhere else in the world. Over 130 higher plants and animals encountered in the Central Balkan National Park are listed in the Bulgarian and the World Red Book of Endangered Species.

There are 166 known species of medicinal plants, 12 are protected by law. In addition, there are 229 species of moss, 256 species of mushrooms, and 208 species of algae. The central portion of the Balkan Range is home to 70% of all invertebrate organisms and 62% of all vertebrate animals in Bulgaria. There are 224 separate species of birds, making the Central Balkan National Park an important, international bird refuge.

The EU-funded CORINE BIOTOPS Project created a habitat classification methodology and 49 of the CORINE classified types of habitats are represented in the Central Balkan National Park. Of these, 24 are included on the 'List of Endangered Habitats', requiring special protection measures pursuant to the EU Convention on Habitats. CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) is an ecological commission of the European Communities located in Brussels, Belgium. ... The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), came into force on June 1, 1982. ...

Terrain

The Park terrain includes large high-mountain meadows, vertical rock faces, precipices, deep canyons, waterfalls, as well as numerous peaks, of which some 20 are situated at altitudes of 2,000 meters and over. The Central Balkan National Park is a favorite spot for tourists, naturalists, and scientists alike.

External links

• Central Balkan National Park - Official web site