LOCATION

Zlatograd is the southernmost town in Bulgaria.

It is the administrative centre of Zlatograd Municipality, which forms part of Smolyan District.

The Municipality comprises ten populated settlements (one town and nine villages): Alamovtzi, Dolen, Erma reka, Zlatograd, Kushla, Presoka, Startzevo, Strashimir, Fabrika and Tzatzarovtzi.

In 2003, the population of Zlatograd Municipality numbered some 14100 people, 8500 of which lived in Zlatograd alone.

Zlatograd Municipality is 300 kilometers away from the capital Sofia and 70 km from the international mountain resort Pamporovo and the ski-centre Chepelare.

Two important road arteries will be constructed nearby - Makaza and Rudozem-Xanti (Greece).

To the east, the Municipality borders with the municipalities of Kirkovo and Djebel in Kurdjali District, to the north - with Nedelino municipality and to the west - with the municipalities of Madan and Rudozem (both in Smolyan District).

The southern border of the Municipality's lands coincides with the national border between Bulgaria and Greece.

The Municipality spans over 175.8 square kilometers.
In terms of weather, Zlatograd region belongs to the continental-mediterranean climatic aerial.

The territory of the Municipality is crossed by Varbitza River with a total length of 98.1 km, which collects its waters from a 1202.8 sq.km basin. Two dams are constructed along the river course, which provide industrial water to the local mines and drinking water to the village of Erma reka.

The area is rich in thermal water springs. The most important hot mineral water sources are along the Erma River. All local mineral waters are 80 to 100 (C hot and have good drinking and medical properties.