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Rila - National Park |
Rila National Park, the largest national park in Bulgaria,
is located about 100 km. south of Sofia, in the central and highest regions of
the Rila Mountains. The Park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and
communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as
historic sites of global cultural and scientific significance.
Some of the largest rivers in the Balkan Peninsula originate here.
The name Rila is derived from the Thracian word roula, meaning ‘lots of water.’
Background The Park was established on February 24, 1992 to conserve the natural
heritage of the Rila Mountains as well as the local traditions, culture, and
livelihoods linked with the area. The National Park Directorate, a regional body
reporting to the Ministry of Environment and Waters, manages the Park.
The Directorate engages local organizations and volunteers to pursue its goals.
Park Statistics
Area: 81,046 hectares
Highest elevation: Mussala at 2,925 meters above sea level
Lowest elevation: the area above Blagoevgrad, at 800 meters above sea level
Wooded area: 53,481 hectares
Treeless areas: 27,565 hectares
90% of all ecosystems are natural
There are four nature reserves, with a combined area of 16,222.1 hectares
Protected Area
Rila National Park is one of the largest and most valuable protected areas in
Europe—listed as Category 2 by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
The Park and all four of its nature reserves are on the UN List of
Representative Protected Areas. The Parangalitsa Reserve and the
former Marichini Ezera Reserve (now incorporated in the territory
of Central Rila Reserve) are part of the World Biospheric Reserves
Network under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. Central Rila is
the largest nature reserve in Bulgaria and covers a total area of 12,393.7 hectares.
Parangalitsa, designated in 1933, is one of the oldest Bulgarian nature reserves.
Ecosystems Most of Rila National Park is covered in thick forests—primarily spruce,
white fir, and Macedonian pine. The higher plant species identified thus far, within
the park, constitute 38.35% of the higher flora of Bulgaria.
There are: 57 endemic species (of limited geographic range)
are local endemic species 18 are Bulgarian endemic species
36 are Balkan endemic species 105 relict species (survivors from past geological ages),
of which 74 dating from the Ice Age, and 31 from the Tertiary Age.
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