Sandanski

Sandanski (Bulgarian: Сандански, formerly known as Sveti Vrach, Bulgarian: Свети Врач, until 1947[2]) is a town and a recreation centre in south-western Bulgaria, part of Blagoevgrad Province. Named after revolutionary Yane Sandanski, it is situated in a valley at the foot of Pirin Mountains, along the banks of Sandanska Bistritsa River. Sandanski is about 20 km away from Bulgaria-Greece border and 100 km away from Aegean sea.

Sandanski
Town
Sandanski
Location of Sandanski
Coordinates: 41°34′N 23°17′E
CountryBulgaria
Province
(Oblast)		Blagoevgrad
Government
 • MayorAtanas Stoyanov
Area
 • Town26.867 km2 (10.373 sq mi)
Elevation
296 m (971 ft)
Population
 (Census February 2011)[1]
 • Town28,510
 • Density1,100/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
 • Urban
40,470
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
2800
Area code(s)0746
WebsiteOfficial website

The town has a convenient location, a mild to warm climate (with the highest average annual temperature in the country, +16°C) and a relatively high concentration of thermal water springs, which all make it a popular destination for relaxation and recreation.

Geography

Sandanski is located in the Sandanski-Petrich Valley, surrounded by the Pirin, Belasitsa and Ograzhden mountain ranges. The town is about 160 km south from Bulgaria's capital Sofia along the major European Route E79. Following the same route at almost the same distance is Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city.

Sandanski has developed in an amphitheatrical fashion on the outer south-west flanks of Pirin Mountains along the lower reaches of Sandanska Bistritsa River. The town's altitude varies between 240 and 300 meters. Its geographical location between Kresna and Rupel Gorges determines town's mild winter temperatures. Statistically Sandanski has the warmest temperatures in Bulgaria with a total of around 2700 annual sunshine hours.

Within a short drive from Sandanski is Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria in terms of population, but an attractive tourist destination for its authentic architecture and wine production. In a close proximity are the village of Rozhen and Rozhen Monastery.

Climate

Sandanski is on the northern border of the continental mediterranean climate. Summers are very hot and dry with occasional thunderstorms and during heat waves the temperature may exceed 40 °C reaching to 45 °C, the highest recorded temperature in the city. Winters are damp and relatively mild, lasting for about three months from December through February. Springs and falls are generally about two months each. The summer is longest season in Sandanski, lasting 4 months - from early June to late September. July through September is the driest period while October through December – the wettest.

Climate table:

Climate data for Sandanski (1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3)		 10.2
(50.4)		 15.5
(59.9)		 21.3
(70.3)		 26.7
(80.1)		 31.2
(88.2)		 34.8
(94.6)		 34.7
(94.5)		 30.5
(86.9)		 23.6
(74.5)		 15.7
(60.3)		 10.8
(51.4)		 22.0
(71.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.5
(40.1)		 6.2
(43.2)		 10.5
(50.9)		 16.2
(61.2)		 20.5
(68.9)		 24.4
(75.9)		 27.3
(81.1)		 27.3
(81.1)		 21.5
(70.7)		 16.8
(62.2)		 10.3
(50.5)		 6.5
(43.7)		 16.0
(60.8)
Average low °C (°F) 0.3
(32.5)		 1.1
(34.0)		 4.8
(40.6)		 9.5
(49.1)		 13.6
(56.5)		 17.1
(62.8)		 19.5
(67.1)		 19.5
(67.1)		 15.4
(59.7)		 11.2
(52.2)		 5.6
(42.1)		 1.7
(35.1)		 10.0
(50.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 32.3
(1.27)		 35.2
(1.39)		 31.4
(1.24)		 49
(1.9)		 41.1
(1.62)		 42.8
(1.69)		 35.8
(1.41)		 32
(1.3)		 29.5
(1.16)		 43.8
(1.72)		 53.4
(2.10)		 57.9
(2.28)		 484.2
(19.06)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 5.3 5.3 5.2 6.2 6.9 5.6 4.5 3.5 4.2 5.3 6.3 7.8 66.1
Average snowy days 4.1 2.5 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 2.3 9.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 123 144 195 232 295 332 362 338 256 203 133 100 2,714
Percent possible sunshine 43 49 52 54 60 69 77 78 70 58 45 36 60
Source: stringmeteo.com[3]

Municipality

Sandanski is the seat of Sandanski Municipality, which includes the following 54 places:

Map of Sandanski, Bulgaria

Honour

Sandanski Point on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after the town of Sandanski.

References
  1. Census 2011
  2. "accessed 18 September 2016". Archived from the original on 2008-10-02.
  3. Николов, Иван. "Век. месечен архив Бг". www.stringmeteo.com.
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