Geography and population
Shoumen region is distinguished for its rich cultural and historical heritage. It offers marvelous opportunities for development of cultural tourism. The favorable conditions that are to be used when enlarging the tourist sector are: natural datum, density of cultural, architectural, archeological, historical monuments and landmarks, pleasant geographical locality, proximity to the Black sea resorts – Varna, the Golden Sands, Albena, Saint Konstantine and Helen, etc.
- Shoumen region territory: 3390 km. sq.
- Inhabitants: 205 395
The biggest town in the region is Shoumen. The city of Shoumen was founded 3200 years ago. During ancient times the city was cradle on the rich spirit and significant culture – Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians. In close proximity to Shoumen are the first two capitals of the Bulgarian nation – Pliska and Veliki Preslav and the religious center Madara. Special active culture and educational activities develop during the golden age of Bulgaria when the city is called Simeonis.

Places to visit and tourist information
On the territory of the region of Shoumen many cultural, natural, architectural and historical monuments and landmarks are placed, which are loved and preferred places to be visited not only by the local inhabitants, but by our guests from the country and abroad.
 
National historical archeological preserve "Madara"
The wealth of open-air archeological monuments dating from 4000 B.C. to the 15th century give reasons for researchers to call Madara the "Bulgarian Troyan". The most remarkable monument in the preserve is the unique rock relief Madara Horseman. The only in Europe, it is a model of old Bulgarian art and symbolizes the power and greatness of the Bulgarian state. The inscriptions around the horseman are written in the Greek language, revealing the entrance of three Bulgarian Khans -Tervel, Krum, Omurtag . The Madara Horseman is recognized by UNESCO as a World Hertitage site.
In the historical sciences Madara is well-known as a religious center. Found here are sanctuaries, Christian churches, chapels. During the 14th century, in the rocks of the plateau, the biggest Bulgarian rock monastery was created with over 150 chambers.

Historical - archaeological preserve "Shoumen Fortress"
Rising three kilometers west of the city of Shoumen is the Shoumen Fortress which has existed more than 3200 years. During early and late middle ages the Shoumen Fortress was Bulgarian maintained and played an important role in the history. During 1444, bout the time of the crusade march of Vladislav III Yagelo, the fortress was destroyed and burned down. The Fortress is one of the most explored archaeological sites in the country. The fortress and the cultural architecture, homes and thousands of movable monuments bear record of the diverse functions during the different periods, predominantly during the time of the second Bulgarian kingdom.

National historical-archaeological preserve "Pliska"
Capital of the first Bulgarian state established from Asparouh. Relics from monumental architectural objects are situated on an area of 23 km. In the archaeological museum, conditions of life of the villages, the materials and the spiritual culture from the period VII - X centuries are shown.

National historical-archaeological preserve "Veliki Preslav"
Capital of the Bulgarian state from 893 to 972 - the epoch of its greatest political and military might, the epoch of the grandeur of the old Bulgarian culture The success of the old Bulgarian culture of that time is marked by the great nickname "Golden Century of the Bulgarian literature and culture". In the archeological museum are masterpieces of the Bulgarian Golden age: Preslavian golden treasure, the ceramic icon "St. Teodor", a golden stamp collection, authentic written monuments from IX –XI centuries.