Hadzhidimovo Municipality

Hadzhidimovo municipality is situated in the south end parts of Bulgaria and has borders with Greece. It is and administrative- territorial units in the most southern part of Blagoevgrad region and has borders with Garmen, Satovcha, Sandanski municipalities and the state border with Greece in particular with Kato Nevrokopi municipality – district of Drama.
The geographical situation, the relief of terrain, climatic features, natural resources and historical processes have determined the specifics of the formed network of settlements – 15 in number with 11 394 inhabitants – Christians 6 668, Moslems – 4 526 and about 200 gypsies , with center in Hadzhidimovo town and other 14 villages – Ablanitsa, Beslen, Blatska, Gaytaninovo, Ilinden, Koprivlen, Laki, Nova Lovcha, Novo Lyaski, Paril, Petrelik, Sadovo, Teplen, Teshovo with their lands. The smalles one – Paril has 22 inhabitants and the largest one – Anblanitsa – 2 700 people.
The age structure of the population shows that in some villages live more young people, which is a counter-situation to the common trend in the country .

Hadzhidimovo municipality encloses parts of the Mesta river valley, from the eastern slopes of the Dabrash part of Western Rhodopes. The mountain and semi-mountain relief is prevailing, the climate is transverse – Mediterranean one, with outlined mountain influence in the upper parts.
The municipality falls in the Mesta landscape region. The main rivers are Mesta – with its tributaries – Matnitsa, Bistritsa, Vatilaka. Canella- forest and alluvial- meadow soils prevail in the rich natural pastures on the slopes of Pirin and the Rhopodes. The forest lands are rich in coniferous (pines, fir- trees, spruce, black fir) and broad- leaved (beech, oak, acacia, poplar) species. The relief of the municipal land is determined by the mounts of Pila, Pirin, Slavyanka, Shilka, Bozdag and Western Rhodopes, as well as the hollow of Gotse Delchev kettle and the formation of Mesta river valley. Here is the reservation ‘Ali botush’ pronounced in 1951 and later on included in the UNNESCO list. The largest vegetation area of 1185, 8 ha with black fir is here, and with exclusive wealth of tens of flora species.
The newly built road II-19 Gotse Delchev – Koprivlen – Sadovo – Border runs through the territory of the municipality, connecting the new Border Station ‘ Ilinden’ with Greece. The municipality has relatively well built road network. The municipality is 100% electrified, installed street lightning in all the towns and villages.
Through the unique natural wealth – cleat rivers, centennial forests, mineral waters, dams, various fauna etc, natural landmarks, preserved authentic architecture, the rich cultural and historical heritage, Hadzhidimovo municipality becomes a preferred place for recreation and tourism for many Bulgarian and foreign tourists.
The culture activities in the municipality are developed in 12 culture centers /chitalishta/ with 15 amateur ensembles and 3 libraries. The preserved traditions and the unique folklore are impressive. The variety of colors, rhythms and sounds, preserved through the ages, the influence of different cultures since ancient times give the right to the municipality to line up among the richest regions in folklore aspect in Bulgaria. The hospitability of the people and the local culture are attractions themselves. There are 24 categorized monuments of culture in the territory of Hadzhidimovo Municipality and many others not- opened and not- preserved.