Ardino is located in Southern Bulgaria. It is part of Ardino Municipality, Kardzhali region.

It stands about 271 km south-east from city of Sofia, 53 km in the same direction from town of Smolyan; 43 km north from town of Zlatograd and 34 km south-west from town of Kardzhali.
The population is approximately 4200 people.

Nature

The climate outstands with mild, humid winter and hot, dry summer. In winter cold air pushes in from north and north-east and makes sudden and short cold spells. January temperatures are about 1,0 C and the July ones are about 23,0 C.
One of the biggest natural resources of the region is the considerable amount of water. The main draining artery of the municipality is Arda River.

Economics

The region comprises a hydroelectricity central near village of Byal Izvor. The construction of 'Gorna Arda' cascade is going to have positive effect on the energy system and the whole infrastructure of the region. The income of investment on this project is going to make thrive all activities connected with trade, tourism, services, etc.
In the last years the development of trade and services made progress that characterizes with expanding of the retail trade net; the public houses and the service studios. The number of people involved in the trade and service activities increases. The trade with food products increases as well.
Agriculture - the typical mountainous relief makes difficulties with the land cultivation. Vegetable-growing is mainly for meeting the consumer's needs of the private farmers. Fruit production includes apples, vines and strawberries (the region of Borovitsa). Stock-breeding is concentrated in the individual farms.

Tourism and culture

The territory is rich with historical and natural landmarks. The most significant for the region are:

• the natural birch reserve with square surface of 3 680 daa. 'Belite brezi' tourist complex is part of the reserve. It is 7 km away from town of Ardino. The complex comprises about 14 holiday houses and huts. The air helps healing pulmonary and allergic diseases.
• the 'Dyavolskiyat most' (Devil bridge) at Arda River - it was constructed on a picturesque narrow gorge during the Ottoman rule. A road connecting Plovdiv with the Aegean Sea used to exist there.
• the Thracian sanctuary 'Orlovi skali' (Eagle rocks) are just 2 km away from the town
• the natural landmark 'Hladilnika' (The Fridge) is situated in northern direction from town of Ardino, next to the mouth of Davidkovska River and its infusion into Arda River. This is a refrigeratory cave which could be used as a natural refregarator.
• the Thracian fortress 'Kaleto' - it is announced as a historical place from the Ministry of Environment in the year of 2003. It is just 500 m away from 'Orlovite skali'.
• the fortress 'Krivus' - 3 km away from village of Bashevo

Infrastructure

Transportation - the main road in Ardino Municipality is Kardzhali-Ardino-Smolyan. It serves the traffic between the two main centres in the Rhodopes Mountains.
The town is located between Rudozem-Xanti checkpoint and the future Makaza passage, which make the area a central part of the region and an important transit corridor between town of Kardzhali and the Black Sea, town of Smolyan and the inner part of the Rhodopes Mountains.
Town of Ardino is with well-developed infrastructure including roads, electricity and water supply.
The media is presented by a local radio, a cable TV and an official municipal newspaper.
Education - there are three secondary schools (one professional high school and two secondary ones), six comprehensive schools and an elementary one; eleven kindergartens and a Municipal children complex.
The health service is organized in a multi-profile hospital for active treatment and a hospital branch from town of Kardzhali. The doctors working with the National Health Insurance Fund are eleven; the dentists are seven.

Internet sources: http://www.ardino.bg/