BULGARIA

BULGARIA / БЪЛГАРИЯ.

Landscapes.
Smolyan Lakes (Смолянските езера).
First stamp in a set of 8, issued on 17.05.1968.
Face value: 1 Bulgarian stotinka.
Printing: Photogravure.
Print: 25,000,000 copies.
Size: 26 x 36 mm.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 1802.
- Scott No. 1681.
- StampWorld No. 1802.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1795.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1618.

The Smolyan Lakes (Bulgarian: Смолянските езера) are located in the Bukova Mountains, Western Rhodopes, north of the Orpheus Rocks and Snezhanka Peak. They are scattered along the left slope of the Cherna River valley to the town of Smolyan. They were formed by a large landslide that occurred as a result of contact between rhyolitic rocks and water-resistant sedimentary rocks located below them. In the past there were more than twenty lakes, but now there are only 8 left, the others today are swamps.

BULGARIA

BULGARIA / БЪЛГАРИЯ.

Landscapes.
Malyovitsa Peak.
Third stamp in a set of 6, issued on 26.10.1964.
Vace value: 3 Bulgarian stotinski.
Printing: Photogravure.
Print: 6,000,000 copies.
Size: 22 x 32 cm.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 1472.
- Scott No. 1374.
- StampWorld No. 1484.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1483.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1287.

Malyovitsa (Bulgarian: Мальовица) is a peak in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountain in southwestern Bulgaria. It is 2,729 m (8,953 ft) high. The Malyovitsa region is the cradle of Bulgarian rock climbing and mountaineering. The imposant north wall of the summit was first climbed in August 23, 1938 by Konstantin Savadzhiev and Georgi Stoimenov.

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.

BULGARIA

BULGARIA / БЪЛГАРИЯ.

Rila (Рила) Mountains.
First stamp in a set of 5, issued on 13.03.1962.
Face value: 1 stotinka.
Print: 14,000,000 copies.

Catalogues
- Michel No. 1314.
- StampWorld No. 1294.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1147.

Rila is the highest mountain range of Bulgaria, the Balkan Peninsula and Southeast Europe. It is situated in southwestern Bulgaria and forms part of the Rila-Rhodope Massif. The highest summit is Musala at an altitude of 2,925 m (9,596 ft). It spans a territory of 2,629 km² (1,015 sq mi) with an average altitude of 1,487 m (4,878 ft). The biodiversity and the pristine landscapes are protected by Rila National Park which covers much of the mountain; the rest lies within Rila Monastery Nature Park.

BULGARIA

BULGARIA / БЪЛГАРИЯ.

Musala (Мусала) Peak.
Sixth stamp in a set of 7, issued on 25.09.1967.
Face value: 15 stotinki.
Printing: Photogravure and recess.
Print: 200,000 copies.

Catalogues
- Michel No. 1755.
- StampWorld No. 1754.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1744.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1541.

Musala Peak (2,925 m / 9,596 ft), on Rila-Rhodope Massif, is the highest in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula, and the third most topographically isolated major peak in continental Europe. It is located within the Rila National Park. Its name comes from the Arabic word (through Ottoman Turkish) Musalla, which can be translated as “near God” or “place of prayer”.