BULGARIA

BULGARIA / БЪЛГАРИЯ.

Landscapes.
Trigrad Gorge in Rhodope Mountains.
Last stamp in a set of 6, issued on 26.10.1964.
Face value: 6 Bulgarian stotinki.
Printing: Photogravure.
Print: 3,000,000 copies.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 1475.
- Scott No. 1377.
- StampWorld No. 1487.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1486.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1290.

The Rhodopes (Bulgarian: Родопи; Greek: Ροδόπη) are a mountain range in Southeastern Europe, and the largest by area in Bulgaria with over 83% of its area in southern Bulgaria and the remainder in Greece. They are part of the Rila-Rhodope massif. Golyam Perelik is its highest peak at 2,191 m (7,188 ft). The region is particularly notable for its karst areas with their deep river gorges, large caves and specific sculptured forms. A significant part of Bulgaria's hydropower resources are located in the western areas of the range. There are a number of hydro-cascades and dams used for electricity production, irrigation, and as tourist destinations. The name of the Rhodope Mountains is of Thracian origin: In Greek mythology, Queen Rhodope of Thrace, the wife of King Haemus of Thrace, offended the gods, and was changed into a mountain by Zeus and Hera as a punishment along with her husband. The mountains are also associated with the mythic figure of Orpheus. Fifteen reserves have been established in the region, some of which are under UNESCO protection.

The Trigrad Gorge (Bulgarian: Триградско ждрело) is a canyon of vertical marble rocks in Smolyan Province, one of the southernmost provinces of Bulgaria. The gorge encloses the course of the Trigrad River, which plunges into the Devil's Throat Cave and 530 m (1,740 ft) further emerges as a large karst spring.