Plovdiv

Plovdiv (pop. 379,100), second-largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Plovdiv is a major industrial, agricultural, and marketing center and is the site of a biannual international trade exhibition. Its products include textiles, metals, leather, and dairy products. Founded by the Thracians before the 4th century B.C., it was held successively from the 4th century B.C. to the 8th century A.D. by Macedonia and by the Roman Empire. Around 1360 it was captured by the Turks; in 1877 it became part of the Russian empire. It became annexed to Bulgaria in 1885.

See also: Bulgaria.