Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Blagoevgrad
Data
Oblast:	Blagoevgrad
Population:	77,222 (15.12.2004)
Altitude:	560 m
Postal code:	2700
Area code:	073
Geographic coordinates:	42° 1' north 23° 6' east
Mayor
Lazar Prichkapov

Blagoevgrad (Bulgarian Благоевград) is a town in Bulgaria, with a population of about 76,000. The city is the administrative center of Blagoevgrad oblast, and arguably the economic and cultural center of Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located at the foot of the Rila and Pirin mountains, about 100 km south of Sofia, close to the Greek and Macedonian borders.

The city features a pedestrian downtown with preserved 19th century architecture and numerous restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and boutiques. Blagoevgrad is home to two universities: Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski" and the American University in Bulgaria.

The city's football club is PFC Pirin with President Georgi Aitov - Guleto, a famous player from the near past.