Geography

Vidin Municipality is in the North-West part of Bulgaria and it covers an area of 3022 sq. km, which is 2.7 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and comprises 141 settlements, divided into 11 municipalities in compliance with the current territorial division of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The geographical position of Vidin has been extremely favourable for centuries to its development as a transport, trade and cultural centre. Vidin Region is Bulgaria’s most important artery and gate to Europe and the world. The region borders the Danube River to the north and has got natural ways of connection with neighbouring Romania and the other countries of the Danube zone. It borders the Republic of Serbia to the west.

The water resources on the regions territory have been formed of both surface and subterranean water. The Danube River and the Timok River are the regions natural borders with the Republic of Romania and the Republic of Serbia.

The earth relief of Vidin Region varies in altitude from the Danube River to the Balkan Mountains. There are four natural geographical zones within the region: the Danube Lowlands, the Hilly Danube Plain, the Northern Balkan and the Balkan. The Danube Lowlands comprise the waterfront strips at Vidin and at Archar and Orsoya. The Lowlands’ altitude varies from about 20 m to 30 m. The Hilly Danube Plain is the place to grow grain crops, sunflower, fodder crops and vegetables. The Northern Balkan’s altitude varies from 200 m to 800 m above the sea level. It ranges from Vrushka Chouka to the foot of the Balkan Mountains, the Rabisha Hill and the Belogradchik Crown of Rocks being its most outstanding secluded heights.

Transport system

The regions road infrastructure is of great micro and macro importance, especially its Vidin-Montana-Vratza-Botevgrad-Sofia Motorway, which is part of the E-79.

Vidin has been set to be the best site for the construction of the second bridge between Bulgaria and Romania across the Danube, opening a new route for Bulgarian goods to Europe.

Waterway transport is a major factor for the region’s development. There are two river ports in the region: the one at Vidin and the one at Novo Selo, which does not function. These ports are part of the shortest way from Western Europe through Bulgaria to the Aegean Sea. The mainland can be connected to the capital cities of Europe by means of two ferryboats, which are adjusted to transport passengers, buses and automobile cars. A great deal of the traffic of goods to and from Western Europe passes through Vidin.

Railroad transport is another factor, salient for the region’s economic development. It is provided by a single railroad track from Vidin to Drenovetz as a continuation of the Vidin-Sofia railroad and has been fully electrified.

There is a civil airport, situated on the out skirts of Vidin, however it hasn’t been opened for a while financial reasons. Distance to Sofia Airport - 250 km (International Road E-79).

- Bus schedule Sofia-Vidin