Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria (Pirin Mountains)

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Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria (Pirin Mountains)

springer.com Environment : Geoecology / Natural Processes Grunewald, Karsten, Scheithauer, Jörg Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria (Pirin Mountains) The Balkan area is a hot spot of biodiversity but a white spot of dendrochronology, climate knowledge of the past, stystematic environment and landscape research. The landscape research approach with the analyses through multi-palaeo- geoecological proxies is new for the Balkans. Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria aims to address some of the current limitations in our understanding of past Balkan climate and environment. High Springer mountains and their ecosystems offer an outstanding opportunity for studies on the impact of 2011, VIII, 161 p. 1st climate change. The Balkan Mountains in Southeast Europe, situated at the transition between edition temperate and Mediterranean climate, are considered as very sensitive to historical and current global changes. The geoarchives lake sediment, peat and soil, long living trees and glaciers have been used to reconstruct the climatically-driven change of forest and treeline during the Holocene and the younger past. These processes are interrelated with complex ecological Printed book changes, as for example the seasonality of climate parameters. The landscape research Hardcover approach with the analyses through multi-palaeo-geoecological proxies is new for the Balkans. Printed book Hardcover Order online at springer.com/booksellers ISBN 978-90-481-9958-7 Springer Nature Customer Service Center LLC $ 149,99 233 Spring Street Available New York, NY 10013 USA Discount group T: +1-800-SPRINGER NATURE Professional Books (2) (777-4643) or 212-460-1500 Product category [email protected] Monograph Other renditions Softcover ISBN 978-94-007-9012-4 Softcover ISBN 978-90-481-9960-0 Prices and other details are subject to change without notice. All errors and omissions excepted. Americas: Tax will be added where applicable. Canadian residents please add PST, QST or GST. Please add $5.00 for shipping one book and $ 1.00 for each additional book. Outside the US and Canada add $ 10.00 for first book, $5.00 for each additional book. If an order cannot be fulfilled within 90 days, payment will be refunded upon request. Prices are payable in US currency or its equivalent. ISBN 978-90-481-9958-7 / BIC: PSAF / SPRINGER NATURE: SCU21006 Part of .

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About Bulgaria
Source: Zone Bulgaria (http://en.zonebulgaria.com/) About Bulgaria General Information about Bulgaria Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe and is situated on the Balkan Peninsula. To the north the country borders Rumania, to the east – the Black Sea, to the south – Turkey and Greece, and to the west – Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a National Assembly (One House Parliament) of 240 national representatives. The President is Head of State. Geography of Bulgaria The Republic of Bulgaria covers a territory of 110 993 square kilometres. The average altitude of the country is 470 metres above sea level. The Stara Planina Mountain occupies central position and serves as a natural dividing line from the west to the east. It is a 750 km long mountain range stretching from the Vrushka Chuka Pass to Cape Emine and is part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain range. It reaches the Black Sea to the east and turns to the north along the Bulgarian-Yugoslavian border. A natural boundary with Romania is the Danube River, which is navigable all along for cargo and passenger vessels. The Black Sea is the natural eastern border of Bulgaria and its coastline is 378 km long. There are clearly cut bays, the biggest two being those of Varna and Bourgas. About 25% of the coastline are covered with sand and hosts our seaside resorts. The southern part of Bulgaria is mainly mountainous. The highest mountain is Rila with Mt. Moussala being the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula (2925 m). The second highest and the mountain of most alpine character in Bulgaria is Pirin with its highest Mt.
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Some Things You May Find Useful to Know…
Some things you may find useful to know… About Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east. With a territory of 110,994 square kilometers (42,855 sq mi), Bulgaria is Europe's 16th-largest country. Its population of 7.4 million people is predominantly urbanized and mainly concentrated in the administrative centers of its 28 provinces. Most commercial and cultural activities are centered on the capital and largest city, Sofia. The country is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the Council of Europe. The climate in the country is dynamic, which results from its being positioned at the meeting point of Mediterranean and continental air masses and the barrier effect of its mountains. Northern Bulgaria averages 1 °C (1.8 °F) cooler than the regions south of the Balkan mountains. Temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas. The lowest recorded temperature is −38.3 °C (−36.9 °F), while the highest is 45.2 °C (113.4 °F). Situated at a crossroads between civilizations, Bulgaria has more than 13 centuries of recorded history and one of the richest cultural legacies in Europe. Modern Bulgarian culture derives from three ancient civilizations: the Bulgars, then Thracians, and the Slavs. The territory was also part of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for several centuries. Bulgarians are the main ethnic group in the country and comprise 84.8% of the population.
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Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria (Pirin Mountains)
springer.com Karsten Grunewald, Jörg Scheithauer Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria (Pirin Mountains) The Balkan area is a hot spot of biodiversity but a white spot of dendrochronology, climate knowledge of the past, stystematic environment and landscape research. The landscape research approach with the analyses through multi-palaeo- geoecological proxies is new for the Balkans. Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria aims to address some of the current limitations in our understanding of past Balkan climate and environment. High mountains and their ecosystems offer an outstanding opportunity for studies on the impact of climate change. The Balkan Mountains in Southeast Europe, situated at the transition between 2011, VIII, 161 p. temperate and Mediterranean climate, are considered as very sensitive to historical and current global changes. The geoarchives lake sediment, peat and soil, long living trees and glaciers Printed book have been used to reconstruct the climatically-driven change of forest and treeline during the Hardcover Holocene and the younger past. These processes are interrelated with complex ecological 119,99 € | £109.99 | $149.99 changes, as for example the seasonality of climate parameters. The landscape research [1]128,39 € (D) | 131,99 € (A) | CHF approach with the analyses through multi-palaeo-geoecological proxies is new for the Balkans. 141,50 Softcover 112,14 € | £79.99 | $119.99 [1]119,99 € (D) | 123,35 € (A) | CHF 132,50 eBook 93,08 € | £63.99 | $89.00 [2]93,08 € (D) | 93,08 € (A) | CHF 106,00 Available from your library or springer.com/shop MyCopy [3] Printed eBook for just € | $ 24.99 springer.com/mycopy Order online at springer.com / or for the Americas call (toll free) 1-800-SPRINGER / or email us at: [email protected].
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Analysis of the Centrai European and Mediterranean Orophytic Element on the Mountains of the W. and Centrai Balkan Peninsula, with Special Reference to Endemics
Vladimir Stevanovié Analysis of the CentraI European and Mediterranean orophytic element on the mountains of the W. and CentraI Balkan Peninsula, with special reference to endemics Abstract Stevanovié, v: Analysis of the Centrai European and Mediterranean orophytie element on the mountains of the W. and Centrai Balkan Peninsula, with speeial referenee to endemies. - Boe eonea 5: 77-97.1996. - ISSN 1120-4060. The distribution of 1350 vaseular orophytes of the W. & Centrai Balkans was analysed. Eaeh speeies is attributed to one of the three basie ehorologieal groups (Eurasian, Centrai S. Euro pean to W. Asian, and Centrai S. European) and eight subgroups, on the basis of its distribution or, in the ease of endemie s, of the distribution of its c10sest relative. The analysis of the total orophytie flora (exeluding the aretie-alpine and boreal speeies) results in the establishment of the boundary between alpine-high-nordie and oromediterranean floristie regions, and of transi tional zones between them, in the mountains of the W. & Centrai Balkans. Introduction Various floristic influences meet and overlap on the mountains of the Balkan Penin sula, especially in the centraI ranges. The genesis of the orophytic flora of this part of the Balkans, both before and during the Ice Ages, was most strongly influenced, floristi cally, from the direction of the Alps, the Carpathians, the mountains of Greece and Asia Minor. Naturally, these influences were not unidirectional. The orophytic flora of the Balkans, a region known as an autonomous centre of origin for many high-mountain plants, contributed in tum to enriching the flora of the surrounding massifs.
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European Mountain Ranges
European Mountain Ranges The Pyrenees The Pyrenees are a mountain range between France and Spain. They stretch 270 miles (435km) from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. The highest peak is Pico de Aneto, which is 3,404 metres high. There are two rail lines which cross the Pyrenees. There are also a number of roads, some of which use tunnels to pass through the mountains. In the winter months, these roads are often closed due to bad weather. The Alps The Alps stretch from Slovenia to Austria. They pass through: • Italy • Switzerland • France • Germany. People come to see the wonderful scenery, to go mountaineering, hiking, mountain biking and even paragliding. In the winter months, people mainly visit to ski or snowboard. The highest peak here is Mont Blanc (White Mountain) which stands at 4,810 metres in height. It is the highest peak in Western Europe. A nearby town named Chamonix was where the first ever Winter Olympics took place in 1924. The Alps play an important role when it comes to the weather too. They act as a wind barrier meaning that south of the Alps is slightly drier and warmer. Page 1 of 4 visit twinkl.com European Mountain Ranges The Carpathians This huge mountain range stretches through seven different countries. They are: • the Czech Republic • Slovakia • Poland • Hungary • Ukraine • Romania • Serbia The mountains are home to 18 million people as well as animals such as wolves, bears and lynx. The Apennines This mountain range runs straight down the centre of Italy. It ends on the island of Sicily.
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Rural Tourism in Bulgaria – an Important Trend and a Factor for Accelerating the Process of Diversifying Activities in Rural Regions
KSI Transactions on K N O W L E D G E S O C I E T Y Rural Tourism in Bulgaria – An Important Trend and a Factor for Accelerating the Process of Diversifying Activities in Rural Regions Marina Nikolova1 Abstract: This publication analyses the development of I. INTRODUCTION rural tourism in Bulgaria in the period after the country’s accession to the European Union (EU). It is part of two This publication is a result of project funded by the project studies on the barriers to the development of rural “Tsenov” Institute of Scientific Research at the “D.A. tourism in Bulgaria and the possibilities for developing a Tsenov” Academy of Economics, Svishtov during the new, profitable, agro-tourist product conducted in association with the Bulgarian Association for Rural and period 2008 – 2011. The research work was done by Ecological Tourism (BARET). lecturers from the Academy and BARET, represented by The article proposes that diversifying supply in the years its chair. of full EU membership is a key problem of the Bulgarian The object of research were the main subjects related tourism development. Naturally, the possibilities for this to rural and agro tourism, namely village houses and development have to be sought mainly in villages and rural family hotels, village houses guests, farmers, areas. Diversification of activities in rural areas through accommodations in suburban city areas, local authorities tourist development affects significantly employment, and other related institutions. incomes and quality of life of population in these areas and The main analytical instruments used in the research increases the competitiveness of Bulgarian economy.
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The Red Riviera
The Red Riviera Next Wave: New Directions in Women’s Studies a series edited by inderpal grewal, caren kaplan, & robyn wiegman ∫ 2005 duke university press all rights reserved printed in the united states of america on acid-free paper $ designed by rebecca giménez typeset in minion by keystone typesetting library of congress cataloging-in-publication data appear on the last printed page of this book. Duke University Press gratefully acknowledges the support of the Fletcher Family Research Fund at Bowdoin College, which provided funds toward the production of this book. Introduction The sea breeze is salty and cooling. The operatic calls of the young men selling corn on the cob accompany the gru√ hums of jet skis and the percussive gushing and smashing of the Black Sea. Topless Western Euro- pean girls lounge beside portly Russian grandmothers. Wild gangs of preteen boys overrun the shoreline, dribbling soccer balls through the sand castles built by naked squealing toddlers. There are more than ﬁve thousand people enjoying the glorious day on the narrow band of beach in the resort of Albena. The ﬁne sands on the shore are similar to the soft, pale grains in Koh Samui or Antigua. But compared to the lush, tropical ambience of Thai- land or the Caribbean, Bulgaria feels distinctly European. There are no palm trees, no thatched huts, and the local peddlers threading their way through the sun-worshipping tourists are paler-skinned and carefully covered with thick, white smears of waterproof sunscreen. Looking out toward the sea, you see the usual array of water-sport equipment found at any major beach resort—paragliders, water skis, and paddle boats.
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Winter Tourism
BULGARIA WINTER TOURISM www.bulgariatravel.org Unique facts about Bulgaria Bulgarian winter resorts have always been a popular destination for skiing and other winter sports. The fascinating combination of great nature and modern sports facilities attract thousands of visitors every year; many international competitions are being held on the slopes of the Bulgarian winter resorts. Bulgaria is considered as a paradise destination for skiing, snowboarding and extreme winter sports. Besides the sport activities, the Bulgarian winter resorts offer a wide range of entertainments for active relaxation. There are a number of mineral thermal springs, which make the country a popular destination for spa and wellness treatment. Spa centers offering a variety of classic and exotic procedures are built in most winter resorts across the country. The vast cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria has spread its treasures in all parts of the country. Most winter sport centres are located close to various historical or natural places of interest; you can diversify your stay in the country by visiting some of them. In Bansko you can appreciate the authentic architecture, combined with a visit to a traditional Bulgarian ‘mehana’ (tavern). Close to Pamporovo you can visit one of the most picturesque Bulgarian villages, which has preserved the spirit of the ancient traditions. Rila’s resort Borovets is situated just a few kilometers from the town of Samokov – a place with numerous sightseeing spots and a historical museum. Bulgaria is blessed with beautiful majestic mountains which cover much of the country. Its unique climate is affected by both the Mediterranean and the Northern Russian INTRODUCTION steppes.
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The Pirin Mountains Kingdom of the Thunder God
The Pirin Mountains Kingdom of the Thunder God JERZY W GAJEWSKI (Plates 63, 64) We were coming in to land and the plane circled the area where the city of Sofia was presumably situated. I was sitting by the window with my camera ready to take pictures either of the Balkan mountains to the north or of the Vitosha mountains to the south; but clouds, like swirling cotton wool, obscured the earth's surface. A few minutes later the aircraft descended through drifting white vapour, and suddenly the tyres hit the runway. The hills surrounding the city were a uniform grey, drained ofcolour. This was nothow I remembered the sunny capital of Bulgaria from 13 years ago. I had first come here, by train, in 1976. We had approached Sofia from the north, where the railway cuts through the Balkan mountains following the valley of the Iskir river. I remember it as a long, beautiful canyon, framed by honey-coloured rocks which turned golden in the light of the setting sun. The next day we had ascended the nearest available summit of the Vitosha mountains, Mount Kopitoto at 13 48m, by the newly-built cable railway, before embarking on our main adventure in the Pirin mountains. These mountains are part of an extensive range running along the Bulgarian-Greek border. Their name derives from Perun, the old Slavonic god of thunder. The Pirin range is divided into three parts - northern, central and southern. The northern area, the largest and the most interesting for hikers, has a main ridge 42km long.
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