Yambol Town

The Middle parts of Tundja valey spread over the most of the district. The hilly plain relief predominates - 100 - 150m above the sea level. The North areas of Tundja valey are characterized by trans-continental climate while the south parts have typical continental - Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperatures are 12-12,50 C. The Tundja River, the fourth of its size with an earth embankment, flows through the district. Mineral water wells are found near the village of Stefan Caradjovo. Agricultural lands take 76.9 % of th whole district territory and the forests - 15.5 % of it. The wood resources include elm-tree, yoke-elm, willow, poplar, oak tree. POPULATION The permanent district population till 31.12.1999 comes to 167 649 and comprises 2% of the country population. The town residents are 109 514 and the village inhabitants are 58 135 (65,32% town population and 34,68 village population). The towns Yambol, Elhovo, Straldja and Bolyarovo function as essential economic, transport and communal centres. INDUSTRY Yambol district industry relies on considerable capacity of various branches. The existing industrial enterprises have preserved good production capacities with all facilities functioning and highly- qualified staff employed. The town industrial zone has been gas supplied. The industrial field of the district involves the following branches: Food, wine and tobacco industry, machine-building and metal -working industry, chemical, textile and dress - making industries. 52 enterprises with foreign participation have been registered till 31.12.1999. The expansion and development of small and medium- sized private enterprises play big role in the industrial development of the region and the economic processes acceleration. The key target is reconstruction of the existing industrial potential drawing national and foreign investments to guarantee the stable production increase, the renovation of the final products in order to raise their competitive ability in the home and foreign markets. AGRICULTURE The total area cultivated land in Yambol county is 258039,2 hc, as having been estimated till 31.12.1999, with irrigation and drainage systems built on it. The region is known as one of the biggest producers of agricultural products in the country. The main crops grown are bread and fodder wheat, barley, maize, sunflower, grapes, industrial crops. Lifestock is mainly used for production of meat (pork and beef) and milk (cow and sheep). The possibilities for future rapid development of agriculture lie in the increase of the number and quantity of vines, brewing barley, the cattle breeding for milk production, in binding the invesments made in food, wine and tobacco industry with investments in agriculture, in timely renewal and expansion of technically equipped systems, building a new forage store-house etc. FORESTRY Forest areas take 16,5% of Yambol county territory. Annual afforestation of 6900 hc new forest has been planned. There are all facilities available to promote game shooting tourism. There are eight shooting lodges built. The perspectives in the forestry development are building a game shooting holiday - house. HISTORIAL PAST The town is famous for its history dating from ancient times. The archaeological findings are related to the year 6000 BC. to the time of Roman Emperor Diocletian reign when the castle, called Diospolis, was built with location of the present modern town. The best preserved historical sites, dating back to XV century are the bazar "Bezisten" and the mosque "Esky Djamia" that have been restored and are functioning at present. The town has another contribution to the world progress - Yambol is the native place of the artist of world popularity George Papazov and John Popov. The computer inventor - Joh n Atanasov has family roots in the district. PRIORITIES FOR THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF YAMBOL COUNTY BY THE YEAR 2006. Agriculture Restoration of the vineyard areas of 20 000 hc and encouragement of the vine - growing in Yambol county. Total cost of the project - 30 million Euro Encouraging brewing barley production with provided area for its cultivation - 350 000 hc. Total cost of the project - 5 million Euro Rehabilitation, expansion and modernization of the existing irrigation systems. Total cost of the project - 1 250 000 Euro Construction of "Agro - business center" JSC - Yambol Total cost of the project - 2 050 000 Euro Reconstruction and modernization of three cow breeding farms with dairy production capacity following the requirements of the European Union. Total cost of the project - 6 150 000 Euro To plant morello-trees on area of 5000 hc. Total cost of the project - 2 500 000 Euro To plant black-cherry trees on area of 5000 hc. Total cost of the project - 2 500 000 Euro To build a new modern pig breeding farm with 1000 sows and to increase the meat manufacturing capacity of "Meat manufacturing factory" - Yambol. Total cost of the project - 2 250 000 Euro Technical infrastructure Rehabilitation and construction of reliable additional road infrastructure in Yambol county. Total cost of the project - 21 800 000 Euro Construction of railway connecting Elhovo - Edirne. Total cost of the project - 30 000 000 Euro Reconstruction and modernization of the existing water and drainage system. Total cost of the project - 1 160 000 Euro Rehabilitation and expansion of the heat supplying system provided by "Heat Supply- Yambol " JSC. Total cost of the project - 16 000 000 Euro Ecology Projects concerning the construction of two purifying stations and two scrap yards for the improvement of the ecological situation in Yambol county. Total cost of the project - 6 800 000 Euro Tourism Reconstruction and modernization of the medical and tourist complex "Bakadjitzite" and the archeological reserve "Kabile". Total cost of the project - 2 500 000 Euro