View source for Rila

{{short description|Mountain range in Bulgaria}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name              =Rila Mountains
| other_name        = {{langx|bg|Рила}}
| photo             = Страшното езеро.jpg
| photo_caption     = Strashnoto ezero (The Dreadful Lake)
| country           = [[Bulgaria]]| 
| parent            =
| geology           = granite, gneiss, quartz
| area_km2          = 2629
| range_coordinates = 
| length_km         = 75 | length_orientation = west-east
| width_km          = 50 | width_orientation = north-south
| highest           = [[Musala]]
| elevation_m       = 2925
| coordinates       = {{coord|42|06|00|N|23|33|00|E|type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| map_image         = Bulgaria geographic map Rila bg.svg
}}

'''Rila''' ({{langx|bg|Рила}}, {{IPA|bg|ˈriɫɐ|pron}}) is the highest mountain range of Bulgaria, the [[Balkans|Balkan Peninsula]], and of [[Southeast Europe]]. It is situated in southwestern [[Bulgaria]] and forms part of the Rila–[[Rhodope Mountains|Rhodope]] Massif. The highest summit is [[Musala]] at an elevation of 2,925&nbsp;m which makes Rila the sixth highest mountain range in Europe after the [[Caucasus]], the [[Alps]], [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]], the [[Pyrenees]] and [[Mount Etna]], and the highest one between the Alps and the Caucasus. It spans a territory of 2,629&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> with an average elevation of 1487&nbsp;m. The mountain is believed to have been named after the [[Rilska River|river of the same name]], which comes from the [[Old Bulgarian language|Old Bulgarian]] verb "рыти" meaning "to grub".<ref>Български етимологичен речник, том 6, Академично издателство "Професор Марин Дринов", София 2002, стр. 256-257</ref><ref>Иван Дуриданов, [http://eprints.nbu.bg/824/1/1963_South_Slavic_River_Names_and_their_Meaning_for_a_Slavic_Place_Name_Topic_Map.pdf Южнославянските речни названия и тяхното значение за славянския топонимичен атлас, Славянска филология 3, Българска академия на науките, София 1963, стр.197] Eprints.nbu.bg</ref>

Rila has abundant water resources. Some of the Balkans' longest and deepest rivers originate from Rila, including the [[Maritsa]], [[Iskar (river)|Iskar]] and [[Nestos (river)|Mesta]] rivers. Bulgaria's main water divide separating the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea drainage systems follows the main ridge of Rila. The mountain range is dotted with almost 200 [[glacial lake]]s such as the renowned [[Seven Rila Lakes]], and is rich in [[hot spring]]s in the fault areas at the foothills, including the hottest spring in South-eastern Europe in [[Sapareva Banya]].

The mountain range has varied flora and fauna with a number of endemic and relict species and some of the best preserved forests in the country. 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]]. In addition, there are five [[nature reserve]]s: [[Parangalitsa]], [[Central Rila Reserve]], [[Rila Monastery Forest]], [[Ibar Reserve|Ibar]] and [[Skakavitsa Reserve|Skakavitsa]].

The most recognisable landmark of the mountain range is the [[Rila Monastery]], Bulgaria's largest and most important monastery, founded in the 10th century by Saint [[John of Rila]]. Due to its outstanding cultural and spiritual value it was declared a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in 1983. Rila is also a popular destination for hiking, winter sports and spa tourism, hosting the nation's oldest ski resort [[Borovets]], as well as numerous hiking trails. Some of the most important hydro power stations in Bulgaria are situated in the eastern part of the mountain range, including the [[Belmeken–Sestrimo–Chaira Hydropower Cascade]] (1,599&nbsp;MW), the largest and most complex hydroelectric complex in Bulgaria.

== Geography ==
[[File:Кадър към Рила.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=a view to Rila|A view to Rila]]
[[File:RilaEnglish.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=a map of Rila|A map of Rila]]

=== Overview ===
Rila is a mountain range in south-western Bulgaria, part of the Rila–[[Rhodope Mountains|Rhodope]] Massif.<ref name="Bulgarian Encyclopaedia 978">{{harvnb|Bulgarian Encyclopaedia|2003|p=978}}</ref> It is situated between five valleys – [[Dupnitsa Valley]] to the north-west, [[Samokov Valley]] to the north, [[Kostenets–Dolna Banya Valley]] to the north-east, [[Razlog Valley]] to the south and [[Blagoevgrad Valley]] to the south-west. Five saddles link Rila to the surrounding mountain ranges – Klisura Saddle (1,025&nbsp;m) with [[Verila]] to the north-west, Borovets Saddle (1,305&nbsp;m) with [[Sredna Gora]] to the north, Yundola (1,375&nbsp;m) and [[Avramovo Saddle]]s (1,295&nbsp;m) with the [[Rhodope Mountains]] to the south-east and [[Predel (Bulgaria)|Predel Saddle]] (1,140&nbsp;m) with [[Pirin]] to the south. Within these limits Rila spans an area of 2,629&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> and has an average elevation of 1,487&nbsp;m.<ref name="Bulgarian Encyclopaedia 978"/><ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 409">{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=409}}</ref><ref name="donchev124">{{harvnb|Donchev|Karakashev|2004|p=124}}</ref> The high elevation zone over 1,600&nbsp;m forms about 50% of the total territory.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767">{{harvnb|Encyclopaedia Bulgaria|1986|p=767}}</ref> There are over 140 main peaks above 2,000&nbsp;m.<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|2010|pp=107–108}}</ref>

With an elevation of 2,925&nbsp;m at Musala, Rila is the highest mountain range in Bulgaria and the [[Balkans|Balkan Peninsula]], and the sixth highest in [[Europe]] after the [[Caucasus]], the [[Alps]], [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]], the [[Pyrenees]] and [[Mount Etna]]. Musala is the fourth [[Topographic isolation|most isolated peak]] in continental Europe after [[Mont Blanc]], [[Mount Elbrus]] and [[Galdhøpiggen]] raising at a distance of 810&nbsp;km from the nearest point of the same elevation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=337&sort=isol&u=m&hu=0&pt=notset&w=0|title=Most Isolated Peak of Europe Countries|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> With a prominence of 2,473&nbsp;m, Musala ranks seventh among [[List of European ultra-prominent peaks|Europe's ultra-prominent peaks]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/EuroCoreP1500m.html|title=List of Ultra Prominent Peaks of Europe|website=Ultra Prominent Peaks |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>

=== Division ===
The mountain range is divided into four distinct parts.<ref name="perry108">{{harvnb|Perry|2010|p=108}}</ref> East Rila, known also as Musala Rila, is the largest and highest subdivision, situated between the valleys of the rivers Beli Iskar and Belishka. It is formed of two main ridges. The Musala Ridge spans in north–south direction between the valleys of Beli Iskar and Maritsa; the Ibar Ridge runs in west–east direction  from the summit of Marishki Chal to the Avramovo Saddle.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> It covers 37% of the mountain's territory and contains the highest summit in the range&nbsp;— [[Musala]] (2,925&nbsp;m), as well as 12 of the 18 summits over 2,700&nbsp;m&nbsp;— [[Irechek (peak)|Irechek]] (2,852&nbsp;m), [[Deno (Rila)|Deno]] (2,790&nbsp;m), [[Mancho]] (2,771&nbsp;m) and others; there are 46 peaks over 2,100&nbsp;m.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> East Rila contains a number of glacial lake groups, including [[Musala Lakes]] and [[Marichini Lakes]], as well as the nation's largest ski resort [[Borovets]].<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 409"/><ref name="donchev125">{{harvnb|Donchev|Karakashev|2004|p=125}}</ref> 
[[File:Мусала 6.jpg|thumb|left|250px|alt=a summit in Rila|A view from [[Musala]]]]
Central Rila, known also as Skakavitsa Rila, is the smallest subdivision, covering 9% of the total area of Rila but has the most Alpine character and the highest average elevation&nbsp;— 2,077&nbsp;m.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> It stretches between the valleys of the rivers Beli Iskar, Cherni Iskar, Levi Iskar, Iliyna and [[Rilska River|Rilska]]. The later divides the two main ridges in Central Rila, Skakavitsa and Rilets. The highest summit is Cherna Polyana (2,716&nbsp;m);<ref name="peakbagger.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=83340| title = Cherna Polyana - Peakbagger.com}} </ref> other important peaks are Skalata, Small and Big Skakavets, Rilets; there are 28 peaks over 2,100&nbsp;m.<ref name="Bulgarian Encyclopaedia 978"/><ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> This subdivision is renowned mainly for the glacial lakes [[Ribni Lakes|Ribni]], Dzhendemski, Manastirski, as well as the largest glacial lake in the Balkan Peninsula&nbsp;— [[Smradlivo Lake]].<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 409"/>

Northwest Rila, known also as Malyovitsa Rila, occupies about 24% of Rila and is situated between the valleys of Rilska to the south, Levi Iskar to the east, Samokov to the north-east and Dupnitsa to the west. Its much lower northern section is called Lakatitska Rila. It is linked with the Verila mountain range to the north through the Klisura Saddle, and with Central Rila to the east through the Kobilino Branishte saddle. The average elevation is 1,556&nbsp;m; the highest summit is Mount Golyiam Kupen at an elevation of 2731&nbsp;m. There are 29 peaks over 2,100&nbsp;m.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> This subdivision is known for its rugged peaks and picturesque lakes in the Alpine zone that include the [[Seven Rila Lakes]] and the [[Urdini Lakes]]. Central Rila includes the mountain's highest waterfall, [[Skakavitsa Waterfall|Skakavitsa]] (70&nbsp;m).<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 409"/><ref name="donchev124"/>

Southwest Rila stretches between the valleys of the Rilska, Iliyna and Belishka rivers to the north, the Predel Saddle that separates it from Pirin to the south, and Simitli and Blagoevgrad valleys to the west. It covers about 30% of the area of the mountain range. With an average elevation of 1,307&nbsp;m, it has the lowest elevation in Rila. The highest summit is Angelov Peak (2,643&nbsp;m).<ref name="Bulgarian Encyclopaedia 978"/> The [[Blagoevgradska Bistritsa]] River divides it in two distinct ridges to the north and to the south. Apart from its northernmost part, Southwest Rila does not have the Alpine character of the other three subdivisions. The biosphere reserve [[Parangalitsa]] is situated there.<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 409"/>

== Geology, relief and summits ==
[[File:Marichin cirkus IMG 1452.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=a cirque in Rila|The cirque of the [[Marichini Lakes]]]]
Rila is a [[fault-block mountain]] and represents a crescent-shaped [[Horst (geology)|horst]] with two fault systems&nbsp;— concentric and radial.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/><ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 410">{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=410}}</ref> It is part of the oldest land in the Balkans, the Macedonian–Thracian Massif.<ref name="perry108"/><ref name="donchev125"/> The mountain range is formed mainly by [[metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] and [[intrusive rock]]s. The core of Rila is built up predominantly by granite.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> It is covered by a thick layer of crystalline [[schist]]s and granite–[[gneiss]]; this layer is topped by [[sandstone]]s and [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerates]] which were formed by elevated Tertiary sediments. Traces of these sediments are found in the Northwest Rila at an elevation of up to 1,900&nbsp;m. The highest zones are made mainly of granite, and below are crystalline schists, whose compound minerals are sequentially deposited. They are represented by gneiss, [[mica]] schists, and [[amphibolite]]. In many places granite passes into granite–gneiss. There are marbles and amphibolites formed in the [[Paleozoic]] over 250 million years ago and subsequently elevated during the Tertiary period. The coarse–grained granites are the dominant rocks forming almost two–thirds of the area of the Rila's higher parts.<ref name="perry108"/>

Rila was subjected to glaciation during the [[Pliocene]] and the [[Pleistocene]]. Its modern Alpine relief was formed during the last [[Würm glaciation]] some 10–12 000 years ago, when the snowline of the mountain was 2,100–2,200&nbsp;m.<ref name="donchev125"/><ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 410"/><ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=62}}</ref> The glaciers reached elevations as low as 1,200&nbsp;m.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768">{{harvnb|Encyclopaedia Bulgaria|1986|p=768}}</ref> Above this boundary, the glaciers radically altered the existing relief, forming deep cirques, [[pyramidal peak]]s, steep cliffs, long [[U-shaped valley]]s, [[moraine]] fields and other glacial forms.<ref name="perry108"/><ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/> On the slopes of some valleys such as those of the rivers Beli Iskar, Maritsa and Rilska there are [[Valley#Hanging valleys|hanging glacier valleys]]&nbsp;— tributary valleys located higher than the main ones. The bottom of cirques are often occupied by [[glacial lake]]s. As a result of the [[weathering]], [[scree]] formations of varied nature have been accumulated.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/> In the south-western foothills of Rila the [[Stob Earth Pyramids]] were formed under the influence of erosion.<ref name="donchev125"/>

The staged elevation of the mountain during the geological eras and the large range of vertical folds have led to the formation of four [[denudation]] levels of distinct age, height and range.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/> The oldest [[Early Miocene]] level encompasses the highest sections of the mountain with an elevation between 2,800 and 2,400&nbsp;m. It represents practically leveled terrain with gently folded surface, formed in the place of ancient forest massifs. The next [[Late Miocene]] level, the young Miocene, is situated on the main side ridges with an elevation between 2,600 and 2,300&nbsp;m. The third level formed during the [[Early Pliocene]] has an elevation of 1,800 and 1,600&nbsp;m. The [[Late Pliocene]] level occupies areas with an elevation of up to 1,300&nbsp;m.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 767"/>

There are two summits above 2,900&nbsp;m, [[Musala]] and [[Malka Musala]]. Some of the highest peaks are: 
[[File:Мальовица, Рила, 2013-10-19.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=a summit in Rila|The summit of [[Malyovitsa]]]]
{{div col|colwidth=24em}}
* [[Musala]], {{convert|2925|m|ft|0}}
* [[Malka Musala]], {{convert|2902|m|ft|0}}
* [[Irechek (peak)|Irechek]], {{convert|2852|m|ft|0}}
* [[Bezimennia Vrah]], {{convert|2792|m|ft|0}}
* [[Deno (Rila)|Deno]], {{convert|2790|m|ft|0}}
* Studenia Chal, {{convert|2785|m|ft|0}}
* Golyam Bliznak, {{convert|2779|m|ft|0}}
* Malak Bliznak, {{convert|2777|m|ft|0}}
* [[Mancho]], {{convert|2771|m|ft|0}}
* Pesokliva Vapa, {{convert|2769|m|ft|0}}
* [[Ovcharets]] (Yurushki Chal), {{convert|2768|m|ft|0}}
* [[Marishki Chal]], {{convert|2765|m|ft|0}}
* [[Kupenite|Golyam Kupen]], {{convert|2731|m|ft|0}}
* [[Malyovitsa]], {{convert|2729|m|ft|0}}
* [[Kupenite|Sreden Kupen]], {{convert|2724|m|ft|0}}
* Aleko, {{convert|2713|m|ft|0}}
* [[Rilets]], {{convert|2713|m|ft|0}}
* Golyam Skakavets, {{convert|2705|m|ft|0}}
* Popova Kapa, {{convert|2704|m|ft|0}}
* Lopushki Vrah, {{convert|2698|m|ft|0}}
* Otovishki Vrah, {{convert|2696|m|ft|0}}
* Yosifitsa, {{convert|2696|m|ft|0}}
* Lovnitsa, {{convert|2695|m|ft|0}}
* Kanarata, {{convert|2691|m|ft|0}}
* Draganitsa, {{convert|2690|m|ft|0}}
* [[Orlovets]], {{convert|2685|m|ft|0}}
* Vodni Chal, {{convert|2683|m|ft|0}}
* Malak Skakavets, {{convert|2682|m|ft|0}}
* [[Zlia Zab]], {{convert|2678|m|ft|0}}
* [[Damga]] (Vazov Vrah), {{convert|2669|m|ft|0}}
* [[Golyam Kalin]], {{convert|2668|m|ft|0}}
* [[Ibar (peak)|Ibar]], {{convert|2666|m|ft|0}}
* Dodov Vrah, {{convert|2661|m|ft|0}}
* Eleni Vrah, {{convert|2654|m|ft|0}}
* [[Angelov Vrah]], {{convert|2643|m|ft|0}}
* Ostrets (Sivrichal), {{convert|2641|m|ft|0}}
* [[Ravni Chal]], {{convert|2637|m|ft|0}}
* [[Kovach (summit)|Kovach]], {{convert|2634|m|ft|0}}
* [[Belmeken (peak)|Belmeken]], {{convert|2626|m|ft|0}}
* [[Dvuglav]], {{convert|2605|m|ft|0}}
* [[Mermera]], {{convert|2602|m|ft|0}}
* [[Golyam Mermer]], {{convert|2602|m|ft|0}}
* [[Haramiyata]] (Hayduta), {{convert|2465|m|ft|0}}
{{div col end}}

== Climate ==
Rila is situated in the southern zone of the [[humid continental climate]] region and has typical [[Alpine climate]] with elevational zones. The climate is influenced by the [[Icelandic Low|Icelandic]] and the [[Genoa low|West Mediterranean cyclones]], the former mainly in late spring and early summer, and the latter&nbsp;— in winter, bringing frequent and high rainfall, as well as by the [[Azores High|Azores]] and [[Siberian High|Siberian anticyclones]] in summer and winter, bringing droughts.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=42–43}}</ref> The local microclimate is also influenced by the terrain, the exposure of the slopes and the orientation of the valleys.<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|2010|pp=109–110}}</ref> The average temperature decreases and the average precipitation increases with elevation.<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 410"/><ref name="donchev126">{{harvnb|Donchev|Karakashev|2004|p=126}}</ref> The coldest month is March and the hottest one August. Negative temperatures remain on average for about nine months in the Alpine zone, often continuing until the end of June. A steady rise in temperature is observed in the middle and end of July. Even during the summer months, temperature over 10&nbsp;°C do not hold up for long periods. About five to ten days in June, July and August have an average temperature above 15&nbsp;°C. This determines the short vegetation period in the high elevation areas which varies from three to six months; it lasts about three months at elevation over 2,000&nbsp;m. The average annual temperature is 2.6&nbsp;°C on the northern slopes and 3.1&nbsp;°C on the southern.<ref name="plan 43">{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=43}}</ref> With an average annual temperature of −3.0&nbsp;°C, Musala is the coldest place in Bulgaria.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/> The lowest absolute temperature in Rila was also measured there: −31.2&nbsp;°C;<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/><ref name="perry110">{{harvnb|Perry|2010|p=110}}</ref> the lowest mean monthly temperature was recorded there in February: −11.6&nbsp;°C. The absolute maximum temperature at Musala is 18.7&nbsp;°C. Temperature amplitude decreases with elevation from 20&nbsp;°C at 800&nbsp;m to 15&nbsp;°C at 2,800&nbsp;m.<ref name="plan 43"/> [[Inversion (meteorology)|Temperature inversions]], i.e. increase in temperature with height, are frequent on the northern slopes and occur especially often in the Samokov Valley, Borovets and Musala, where it is observed in 250 days annually.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/>

{{Weather box
|location = Musala Peak
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 7
|Feb record high C = 3.4
|Mar record high C = 12.1
|Apr record high C = 13.7
|May record high C = 12.6
|Jun record high C = 16.5
|Jul record high C = 20.0
|Aug record high C = 18.7
|Sep record high C = 17
|Oct record high C = 14
|Nov record high C = 9.6
|Dec record high C = 6.8
|year record high C = 18.7

|Jan high C = -8.2
|Feb high C = -7.6
|Mar high C = -5.6
|Apr high C = -1.6
|May high C = 2.5
|Jun high C = 7.0
|Jul high C = 10.0
|Aug high C = 10.2
|Sep high C = 6.1
|Oct high C = 1.8
|Nov high C = -2.1
|Dec high C = -6.1
|year high C = 0.5

|Jan mean C = -10.9
|Feb mean C = -10.8
|Mar mean C = -9.0
|Apr mean C = -5.2
|May mean C = -1.0
|Jun mean C = 4.3
|Jul mean C = 6.8
|Aug mean C = 7.1
|Sep mean C = 2.6
|Oct mean C = -1.0
|Nov mean C = -4.9
|Dec mean C = -8.6
|year mean C = -2.5

|Jan low C = -13.8
|Feb low C = -13.6
|Mar low C = -11.6
|Apr low C = -7.8
|May low C = -3.4
|Jun low C = 1.5
|Jul low C = 3.6
|Aug low C = 4.1
|Sep low C = 0.2
|Oct low C = -3.6
|Nov low C = -7.3
|Dec low C = -11.0
|year low C = -5.2

|Jan record low C = -30.6
|Feb record low C = -29.8
|Mar record low C = -26.8
|Apr record low C = -20.6
|May record low C = -15.6
|Jun record low C = -12
|Jul record low C = -8
|Aug record low C = -9.8
|Sep record low C = -14
|Oct record low C = -17.5
|Nov record low C = -27.4
|Dec record low C = -31.2
|year record low C = -31.2

|Jan precipitation mm = 126
|Feb precipitation mm = 110
|Mar precipitation mm = 130
|Apr precipitation mm = 128
|May precipitation mm = 119
|Jun precipitation mm = 105
|Jul precipitation mm = 80
|Aug precipitation mm = 56
|Sep precipitation mm = 47
|Oct precipitation mm = 72
|Nov precipitation mm = 88
|Dec precipitation mm = 115
|year precipitation mm = 1176
|Jan rain days = 1
|Feb rain days = 0
|Mar rain days = 0
|Apr rain days = 0
|May rain days = 4
|Jun rain days = 8
|Jul rain days = 9
|Aug rain days = 7
|Sep rain days = 6
|Oct rain days = 3
|Nov rain days = 1
|Dec rain days = 0
|Jan snow days= 13
|Feb snow days= 14
|Mar snow days= 17
|Apr snow days= 18
|May snow days= 14
|Jun snow days= 5
|Jul snow days= 2
|Aug snow days= 1
|Sep snow days= 4
|Oct snow days= 8
|Nov snow days= 13
|Dec snow days= 15
|year snow days= 124
|Jan sun = 114
|Feb sun = 112
|Mar sun = 140
|Apr sun = 127
|May sun = 168
|Jun sun = 181
|Jul sun = 250
|Aug sun = 250
|Sep sun = 182
|Oct sun = 169
|Nov sun = 128
|Dec sun = 104
|year sun = 1925
|source 1 = Stringmeteo.com
|date=June 2012
}}

The annual precipitation varies with elevation and slope orientation. The annual precipitation is 653&nbsp;mm at [[Samokov]] (1,029&nbsp;m), 932&nbsp;mm at Borovets (1,350&nbsp;m) and 1200&nbsp;mm at Musala (2,925&nbsp;m); about 80% of it being snow at the later.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/><ref name="donchev126"/><ref name="perry110"/> The rainfall occurs mostly in summer and spring on the northern slopes, with maximum in June and minimum in February; the rainfall increases in winter and decreases in summer on the southern slopes and yet the monthly maximum and minimum are the same; there are 130–160 days with rainfall/snowfall.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/><ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=46}}</ref> Air humidity in the highlands of Rila ranges between 80 and 85%. The coldest winter months are also the driest. Humidity differs on the northern and southern slopes of Rila. The snow cover above 1,000&nbsp;m begins to form on 10–15 December on the northern slopes and after 20–30 December on the southern. Its average monthly thickness reaches 20 to 30&nbsp;cm in February at low elevations. In the Alpine zone above 2,000&nbsp;m the snow cover is thickest in March, reaching 70 to 80&nbsp;cm. In the highest ridges the maximum thickness reaches 200 to 240&nbsp;cm.<ref name="perry110"/> The snow cover remains for an average of 70–80 days at elevations of 1,200–1,300&nbsp;m and 180 to 200 days at elevations above 2,000&nbsp;m. [[Avalanche]]s are frequent, often caused by temperature changes by the influx of warm Mediterranean air masses.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/><ref name="donchev126"/><ref name="perry111">{{harvnb|Perry|2010|p=111}}</ref>

Winds may reach speed of 40–45&nbsp;m/s (over 100&nbsp;km/h) at the summits,<ref name="plan 50">{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=50}}</ref> with mostly south-western and western orientation. The north-west and north-east winds are more moderate. The average monthly wind speed on the highest mountain summits reaches 11–12&nbsp;m/s. In the lower parts, the average monthly speed varies from 1.2 to 2.5&nbsp;m/s and in the middle height zone it ranges from 2.5 to 3.2&nbsp;m/s.<ref name="plan 50"/> Winds are usually strongest in winter and lightest in autumn.<ref name="perry111"/> The annual duration of sunshine in the Alpine zone is 1930 hours with maximum in August and minimum in December–January; it raises to more than 2150 hours at 1,000&nbsp;m.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=52}}</ref>

== Hydrology ==
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 250
 | footer =
 | image1 = Rila 7 lakes circus panorama edit2.jpg
 | alt1 = Glacial lakes
 | caption1 = The [[Seven Rila Lakes]]
 | image2 = Goritsa waterfall.JPG
 | alt2 = A waterfall
 | caption2 = [[Goritsa Waterfall]]
 }}
Rila is an important hydrological unit in Bulgaria with very high hydropower potential, representing about 1/4 of the total potential of the country. The water reserves that form within the mountain range are the most important source of clean potable water for the surrounding settlements, the national capital [[Sofia]] and part of the population of Northern Greece and European Turkey. The regime of the rivers of Rila is directly related to the elevation and about half of the water reserves in the mountain are at an elevation above 2,050&nbsp;m. The main [[drainage divide]] in the Balkans separating the [[drainage basin]]s of the [[Black Sea]] and the [[Aegean Sea]] passes through Rila's northern ridge, including the summit of Musala.<ref name="perry108"/> Some of the Balkans' longest rivers originate from Rila, including the [[Maritsa]], [[Iskar (river)|Iskar]] and [[Nestos (river)|Mesta]], as well as several important tributaries of the [[Struma (river)|Struma]]&nbsp;— [[Rilska River|Rilska]], [[Dzherman (river)|Dzherman]] and [[Blagoevgradska Bistritsa]].<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 410"/><ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/><ref name="donchev126"/> Of them, the Iskar and its tributaries belong to the Black Sea drainage basins, and all the rest&nbsp;— to the Aegean. About 78% of the water flows into the Aegean drainage system.<ref name="perry109">{{harvnb|Perry|2010|p=109}}</ref> The runoff comes from snowmelt in the Alpine zones and rainfall.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 768"/> Water discharge reaches its maximum in late spring and early summer with spring accounting for more than half of the total annual discharge. The maximum at the highest elevations is in summer due to the late snowmelt. The minimum is in autumn and winter.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769">{{harvnb|Encyclopaedia Bulgaria|1986|p=769}}</ref> The largest waterfalls are [[Skakavitsa Waterfall|Skakavitsa]] (70&nbsp;m) and [[Goritsa Waterfall|Goritsa]] (39&nbsp;m).<ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=442}}</ref> There are abundant [[mineral spring]]s that include the hottest one in South-eastern Europe at [[Sapareva Banya]] forming a [[geyser]] with a temperature of 101.4&nbsp;°C.<ref name="Geographic Dictionary 427">{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=427}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Donchev|Karakashev|2004|p=67}}</ref>

The cirques at the high elevation zone contain 189 glacial lakes; there are also about 30 smaller ones that evaporate in summer, including tectonic lakes like Panichishte.<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 410"/><ref>{{harvnb|Donchev|Karakashev|2004|p=72}}</ref> Their location is closely linked to the snowline during the last glacial period and most of them lie at elevations between 2,100&nbsp;m and 2,500&nbsp;m. Most lakes (28) are situated at elevations between 2,300&nbsp;m and 2,350&nbsp;m; there are 23 between 2,350&nbsp;m and 2,400&nbsp;m, 19 between 2,250&nbsp;m and 2,300&nbsp;m and 19 between 2,400&nbsp;m and 2,450&nbsp;m.<ref name="perry109"/><ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/> Their length varies between 800&nbsp;m and 20&nbsp;m, the width&nbsp;— between 375&nbsp;m and 10&nbsp;m, the area&nbsp;— between 1&nbsp;m and 212&nbsp;decares, the depth&nbsp;— between 0.5&nbsp;m and 37.5&nbsp;m. Most of them are between 2&nbsp;m and 10&nbsp;m deep and four reach depth of over 20&nbsp;m.<ref name="perry109"/><ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/> The water is transparent as deep as 15&nbsp;m. Most of the lakes are covered with ice during most of the year&nbsp;— from October to June. The ice thickness reaches 3 m in the highest lakes.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/> The largest glacial lake in Rila and in the Balkans is [[Smradlivo Lake|Smradlivo]] with an area of 212&nbsp;decares;<ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=453}}</ref> the longest is the [[Ribni Lakes|Upper Ribno Lake]] reaching 801&nbsp;m; the deepest is Okoto, one of the Seven Rila Lakes with a depth of 37.5&nbsp;m;<ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=434}}</ref> the highest is Ledeno at an elevation of 2,709&nbsp;m;<ref name="perry109"/><ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=283}}</ref> the lowest is Suho at 2,045&nbsp;m. The most important lake groups are the [[Seven Rila Lakes]] (seven lakes), [[Musala Lakes]] (seven), [[Marichini Lakes]] (seven), [[Urdini Lakes]] (six), [[Malyovishki Lakes]] (three), [[Elenski Lakes]] (three), [[Chanakgyolski Lakes]] (two), [[Vapski Lakes]] (two), etc.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/>

== Nature ==
[[File:Tetrao urogallus Rila Bulgaria Stefan Avramov 01.jpg|thumb|right|250px|alt=a bird|A male [[western capercaillie]] in Rila]]
The vegetation is determined by the elevation. At the lowest portions there are xerothermal oak forests dominated by Hungarian oak (''[[Quercus frainetto]]''), pubescent oak (''[[Quercus pubescens]]'') and Austrian oak (''[[Quercus cerris]]'') with some Mediterranean cenosis of cade juniper (''[[Juniperus oxycedrus]]'')  and  scorpion senna (''[[Hippocrepis emerus]]'').<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/> Higher in the mountain up to 1,300&nbsp;m the deciduous forests are primarily of sessile oak (''[[Quercus petraea]]'') with smaller participation of European hop-hornbeam (''[[Ostrya carpinifolia]]''), common hornbean (''[[Carpinus betulus]]''), Heldreich's maple (''[[Acer heldreichii]]''), Balkan maple (''[[Acer hyrcanum]]'') and European ash (''[[Fraxinus excelsior]]''); the zone between 1,300&nbsp;m and 1,600&nbsp;m is dominated by European beech (''[[Fagus sylvatica]]''), at places mixed with European silver fir (''[[Abies alba]]'').<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/> The endemic Rila oak (''[[Quercus protoroburoides]]'') inhabits only the Rilska River valley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/bg/vol3/20G1.html|title=Forests of Rila oak (Quercus protoroburoides)|website=Red Book of Bulgaria, Volume III|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> The forests of coniferous zone between 1,600&nbsp;m and 2,100&nbsp;m consist of primarily of Norway spruce (''[[Picea abies]]''), Macedonian pine (''[[Pinus peuce]]'') и Scots pine (''[[Pinus sylvestris]]'').<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/> The sub-Alpine zone up to 2,500&nbsp;m is covered by dwarf mountain pine (''[[Pinus mugo]]'') and common juniper (''[[Juniperus communis]]'') formations mixed with green alder (''[[Alnus viridis]]'') at wetter localities and ''[[Rhododendron myrtifolium]]'' in East Rila.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 769"/><ref>{{harvnb|Perry|2010|p=113}}</ref> The alpine line is covered with grass, moss, lichen, rare flowers, dwarf willows such as ''[[Salix herbacea]]'', ''[[Salix retusa]]'' and ''[[Salix reticulata]]'', etc.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 770">{{harvnb|Encyclopaedia Bulgaria|1986|p=770}}</ref> Due to the difficult terrain, the forests of Rila are not much influenced by anthropogenic activities and their average age is above 100 years.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=98}}</ref> Some Norway spruces and European silver firs reach height of 60&nbsp;m.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=105}}</ref>
[[File:Primula deorum.jpg|thumb|left|250px|alt=a flower|The endemic Rila primrose (''[[Primula deorum]]'')]]
The number of [[vascular plant]]s includes about 1400 species registered only within the territory of Rila National Park,<ref name="perry111"/> of them 34 are endemic to Bulgaria, including three restricted to Rila, and 89&nbsp;— to the Balkans; 31 are Tertiary or pre-glacial [[Relict (biology)|relicts]] and 104 are glacial relicts.<ref name="perry111"/><ref name="plan 118">{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=118}}</ref> Notable Bulgarian endemic species include Rila primrose (''[[Primula deorum]]'') and rhapontic rhubarb (''[[Rheum rhaponticum]]''); taxa restricted to the Balkans include Bulgarian avens (''[[Geum bulgaricum]]''), yellow columbine (''[[Aquilegia aurea]]''), Bulgarian gentian (''[[Gentianella bulgarica]]''), Balkanian butterwort (''[[Pinguicula balcanica]]''), ''[[Crocus veluchensis]]'', ''[[Dianthus microlepis]]'', etc.<ref name="plan 118"/><ref>{{harvnb|Perry|2010|pp=112–113}}</ref> The [[non-vascular plant|non-vascular flora]] includes 974 [[algae]], 313 [[moss]] and 251 [[lichen]] species.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=111, 115–116}}</ref> The [[fungi]] are represented by 665 species, including 64 mushrooms listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=113–114}}</ref>

The mammal species within Rila National Park and its surroundings are 62<ref name="Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 2015 127">{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=127}}</ref> and include taxa of high conservation value, such as [[brown bear]], [[gray wolf]], [[wildcat]], [[least weasel]], [[European pine marten]], [[marbled polecat]], [[wild boar]], [[red deer]], [[roe deer]], [[chamois]], [[European ground squirrel]], as well as the glacial relict [[European snow vole]].<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 770"/><ref name="Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 2015 128">{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=128}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Perry|2010|p=117}}</ref> The bird species are 156; of the 120 are nesting within Rila National Park.<ref name="Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 2015 128"/> These include three relicts — [[boreal owl]], [[Eurasian pygmy owl]] and [[Eurasian three-toed woodpecker]], and species that require special conservation measures like [[short-toed snake eagle]], [[golden eagle]], [[peregrine falcon]], [[black stork]], [[Eurasian woodcock]], [[western capercaillie]], [[hazel grouse]], [[rock partridge]], [[grey-headed woodpecker]], [[black woodpecker]], [[white-throated dipper]], [[wallcreeper]] and [[Alpine chough]] among others.<ref name="Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 2015 127"/> There are 18 reptile, 10 amphibian and 12 fish species.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=125–126}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Perry|2010|pp=115–116}}</ref> The invertebrate fauna discovered so far includes 4186 species and is expected to rise to over 7000; of them 34 are endemic to Rila, 123&nbsp;— to Bulgaria and another 123&nbsp;— to the Balkans.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=122–124}}</ref>

The biodiversity, ecosystems and the pristine landscapes are protected by [[Rila National Park]] declared in 1992, which is Bulgaria's largest spanning a territory of 810.46&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and [[Rila Monastery Nature Park]] covering another 252.535&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. There are four nature reserves in the former&nbsp;— [[Parangalitsa]], [[Central Rila Reserve]], [[Ibar Reserve|Ibar]] and [[Skakavitsa Reserve|Skakavitsa]], and another one, [[Rila Monastery Forest]], in the latter.<ref name="perry108"/> Parangalitsa was declared a [[Man and the Biosphere Programme|UNESCO Biosphere Reserve]] in 1977,<ref name="unesco">{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=BUL+13&mode=all|title=Parangalitsa Biosphere Reserve|website=Official Site of UNESCO|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> while the Central Rila Reserve is the largest one in the Balkans with an area of 123.937&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pdbase.government.bg/zpo/bg/area.jsp?NEM_Partition=1&categoryID=1&areaID=52|title=Register of the Protected Territories and Zones in Bulgaria. Central Rila Reserve|website=Official Site of the Executive Environment Agency of Bulgaria|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>

== Settlements, transportation and economy ==
[[File:PAVECChaira.jpg|thumb|right|250px|alt=a hydro power station|The dam of Chaira HPP]]
Rila is a sparsely populated mountain range with most of the settlements located in the valleys at the foothills, inhabited by c. 250,000 people.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 770"/><ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=177}}</ref> Administratively it falls in four of Bulgaria's 28 provinces: [[Blagoevgrad Province|Blagoevgrad]], [[Kyustendil Province|Kyustendil]], [[Sofia Province|Sofia]] and [[Pazardzhik Province|Pazardzhik]]. From west to east there are five towns at the northern foothills&nbsp;— [[Sapareva Banya]] (pop. 3,815 as of 2016),<ref name="grao">{{cite web |url=http://www.grao.bg/tna/tab02.txt|title=Population of Bulgaria by Municipality|website=Official Site of the General Directorate "Civil Registration and Administrative Service"|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> [[Samokov]] (25,880),<ref name="grao"/> [[Dolna Banya]] (4,510),<ref name="grao"/> [[Kostenets]] (6,228)<ref name="grao"/> and [[Belovo, Bulgaria|Belovo]] (3,533);<ref name="grao"/> there are four towns at the western foothills (from north to south)&nbsp;— [[Dupnitsa]] (35,255),<ref name="grao"/> [[Rila, Bulgaria|Rila]] (2,359),<ref name="grao"/> [[Kocherinovo]] (1,723)<ref name="grao"/> and [[Blagoevgrad]] (66,886);<ref name="grao"/> as well as three more at the south-eastern foothills (from west to east)&nbsp;— [[Razlog]] (12,036),<ref name="grao"/> [[Belitsa]] (2,964)<ref name="grao"/> and [[Yakoruda]] (5,288).<ref name="grao"/> There are a number of villages, including among others [[Govedartsi]], [[Belchin]], [[Madzhare]], [[Kostenets (village)|Kostenets]], [[Pastra, Bulgaria|Pastra]], [[Stob (village)|Stob]], [[Barakovo, Bulgaria|Barakovo]], [[Dobarsko]], etc.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} Some of the settlements on the Rila include a small [[Aromanians|Aromanian]] minority.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/IJSL.2006.029/pdf|title=The Aromânians: an ethnos and language with a 2000-year history|first=Nikolai|last=Kyurkchiev|journal=[[International Journal of the Sociology of Language]]|issue=179|pages=115–129|year=2006|volume=2006|doi=10.1515/IJSL.2006.029|s2cid=144939846|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The mountain range is served by several roads running along its foothills. No roads traverse the massif. In the west along the Struma Valley runs [[Struma motorway]] paralleled by the first class [[I-1 road (Bulgaria)|I-1 road]], both part of [[European route E79]], that connect the national capital [[Sofia]] and Greece via the provincial centre [[Blagoevgrad]]. The second class [[II-62 road (Bulgaria)|II-62 road]] branches off I-1 at Dupnitsa and runs east to Samokov where it joins the second class [[II-82 road (Bulgaria)|II-82 road]] which continues in eastern direction until the town of Kostenets, where it joins the first class [[I-8 road (Bulgaria)|I-8 road]], part of [[European route E80]]. The second class [[II-19 road (Bulgaria)|II-19 road]] which branches off I-1 at [[Simitli]], goes east crossing the Predel Saddle into the [[Razlog Valley]] and at the homonymous town links with the second class [[II-84 road (Bulgaria)|II-84 road]] which runs in north-eastern direction along the Avramovo Saddle and links with the I-8 road/E80 near [[Pazardzhik]].<ref name="api">{{cite web |url=http://www.api.bg/index.php/bg/karti/republikanska-ptna-mrezha/|title=A Map of the Republican Road Network of Bulgaria|website=Official Site of the Road Infrastructure Agency|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> Rila is served by the [[Bulgarian State Railways]] via railway line No. 1 in the north-east with stations at Kostenets and Belovo, railway line No. 5 along the Struma Valley in the west and the [[Septemvri–Dobrinishte narrow-gauge line]] in the south-east.<ref name="api"/>

The most important sectors of the local economy are tourism, services, industry and agriculture. The abundant water resources are utilised by some of Bulgaria's largest hydro power plants, the most important of them being fueled by the [[Belmeken Dam]] in East Rila&nbsp;— [[Chaira Hydro Power Plant|Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant]] (864&nbsp;MW), [[Belmeken Hydro Power Plant|Belmeken Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant]] (375&nbsp;MW), [[Sestrimo Hydro Power Plant]] (240&nbsp;MW) and [[Momina Klisura Hydroelectric Power Station]] (120&nbsp;MW).<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 770"/><ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=41}}</ref> Chaira is the largest pumped storage HPP in South-eastern Europe. They form the [[Belmeken–Sestrimo–Chaira Hydropower Cascade]], the biggest and most complex hydroelectric complex in Bulgaria, with a combined installed capacity of 1,599&nbsp;MW.<ref>{{harvnb|Nabatov|2011|p=19}}</ref> At an elevation of 1,900&nbsp;m is located the second biggest reservoir in Rila, [[Beli Iskar Reservoir|Beli Iskar]], constructed between 1939 and 1945, that provides 25% of Sofia's potable water and powers a small 16&nbsp;MW hydro power station.<ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=38}}</ref> At an elevation of 2,394&nbsp;m, Kalin is the highest reservoir in the Balkans.<ref name="donchev126"/> Rila accounts for 6% of Bulgaria's timber resources.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 770"/> Manufacturing industry is centred in Blagoevgrad, Dupnitsa, Samokov, Razlog and Belovo; the main sectors are food processing, machine building, pharmaceutical and paper mills.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Bulgaria 770"/><ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=191–192}}</ref>

== Tourism ==
[[File:Боровец, 31.12.2015 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|250px|alt=a ski resort|A view of [[Borovets]] in winter]]
Rila is a popular tourist destination for winter sports, spa tourism, recreation and cultural tourism. [[Borovets]], situated on the northern slopes at 9&nbsp;km from Samokov, is the oldest winter resort in Bulgaria and the largest one in Rila.<ref name="Borovets">{{cite web|url=http://samokov-info.com/tourism/borovets/?lang=en|title=Borovets|website=Tourist Information Center – Samokov|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> It has 27 marked [[piste|ski runs]] with a total length of 58&nbsp;km equipped with 12 lifts facilities and provides conditions for [[alpine skiing]], [[cross-country skiing]], [[night skiing]], [[biathlon]], [[snowboard]], etc.; it has hosted competitions in the [[FIS Alpine Ski World Cup]] and the [[Biathlon World Championships 1993]].<ref name="Borovets"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.borovets-bg.com/en/page/info/lifts-trails/lifts |title=Lifts|website=Official Site of Borovets|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> The top elevation is 2,560&nbsp;m while the lowest is 1,300&nbsp;m.<ref name="Borovets"/> Over 36,000 foreign tourists have stayed in Borovets for the 2016/17 winter season spending an average of five nights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourism.government.bg/sites/tourism.government.bg/files/analiz_na_zimep_sezon_2016_2017_3.05.17.pdf|title=Analysis of Winter Season 2016/17|website=Ministry of Tourism|access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref> Other much smaller ski resorts include [[Panichishte]] with several ski runs, [[Semkovo]] with seven ski runs totaling 4&nbsp;km, Bodrost with 5&nbsp;km ski runs and Govedartsi with a single 1.7&nbsp;km ski run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bulgariatravel.org/bg/object/296/Panichishte#map=6/42.750/25.380|title=Panichishte|website=Official Tourism Portal of Bulgaria|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://semkovo.com/winter.php|title=Semkovo|website=Official Site of Semkovo|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://samokov-info.com/tourism/govedartsi/?lang=en|title=Govedartsi|website=Tourist Information Center – Samokov|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=188–189}}</ref> The Balmeken High Mountain Sports Complex is located at an elevation of 2,050&nbsp;m in East Rila and is used for training, medical and biological research by athletes but also provides opportunities for family recreation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nsb.bg/en/nsb/%d0%b2%d1%81%d0%ba-%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%ba%d0%b5%d0%bd-en/|title=Belmeken High Mountain Sports Complex|website=Official Site of the National Sports Complex|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>

The mountain range was a favourite place of retreat for the Bulgarian monarchs [[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria|Ferdinand I]] (r. 1887–1918) and his son [[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]] (r. 1918–1943). The palace of [[Tsarska Bistritsa]] was constructed between 1898 and 1914 above Borovets in the traditional [[Bulgarian National Revival]] style with several edifices and a park. Its 170&nbsp;kW hydroelectric generator installed in 1912 is still working unaltered.<ref name="Tsarska Bistritsa">{{cite web|url=http://samokov-info.com/tourism/borovets/tsarska-bistritsa-palace/?lang=en|title=Tsarska Bistritsa|website=Tourist Information Center – Samokov|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> Two other [[Jagdschloss|hunting lodges]] were constructed for the monarchs&nbsp;— [[Sitnyakovo]] and [[Saragyol]].<ref name="Tsarska Bistritsa"/> There are 17 mountains refuges with a total of 1938 beds.<ref>{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|pp=134–135}}</ref> There are 198&nbsp;km primary and 363&nbsp;km secondary hiking trails in Rila National Park, including [[E4 European long distance path]] that traverses it from west to south and [[E8 European long distance path]] that traverses it from north-west to south.<ref name="Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 2015 136">{{harvnb|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015|p=136}}</ref> Rila National Park was visited by about 100,000 tourists annually for the period 2000–2014 reaching a peak of 268,000 in 2012, while with a little more than 1 million visitors Rila Monastery Nature Park is the second most visited one in the country, after [[Vitosha]].<ref name="Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 2015 136"/><ref name="basic information">{{cite web |url=http://www.parkrilski-manastir.eu/publications/publ%201/show|title=Publications. Basic Information|website=Official Site of Rila Monastery Nature Park|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> In 2000 on the south-western slopes was established the [[Dancing Bears Park Belitsa]] that shelters all [[Tame bear|dancing bears]] from Bulgaria following the ban of that practice, as well as individuals from Albania and Serbia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://park.belitsa.com/|title=Dancing Bears Park Belitsa|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Rila Monastery (Рилски манастир) - by Pudelek.JPG|thumb|right|250px|alt=a monastery|The main church of the [[Rila Monastery]]]]
The abundant mineral springs along the fault lines along the northern foothills of Rila favour health and spa tourism. The most significant spa resorts from west to east are Sapareva Banya with a total discharge of 33 L/sec and temperature of 33–101.4&nbsp;°C,<ref name="Geographic Dictionary 427"/> [[Belchinski Bani]] with a total discharge of 24 L/sec and temperature of 40–41.5&nbsp;°C,<ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=44}}</ref> Dolna Banya with a total discharge of 22 L/sec and temperature of 56.3&nbsp;°C<ref>{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=174}}</ref> and the village of Kostenets with a total discharge of 12 L/sec and temperature of 46–73&nbsp;°C.

Rila has well developed cultural tourism and contains five of the [[100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria]]&nbsp;— the Church of Theodore Tyro and Theodore Stratelates in the village of [[Dobarsko]], the [[Rila Monastery]] and the [[Stob Earth Pyramids]], the Seven Rila Lakes, the museum of history and the convent in the town of Samokov, and the summit of Musala.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.btsbg.org/nacionalni-dvizheniya/100-nacionalni-turisticheski-obekta|title=100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria|website=Official Site of the Bulgarian Tourist Union|date=2 October 2017 |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> Rila Monastery is the most important architectural monument in the mountain range. It is situated at an elevation of 1,147&nbsp;m and was declared a [[UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO's world heritage site]] in 1983.<ref name="basic information"/><ref name="heritage">{{cite web |url=http://www.parkrilski-manastir.eu/park/nasledstvo/show|title=Cultural Heritage|website=Official Site of Rila Monastery Nature Park|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> The Monastery is considered to be a cultural and spiritual centre of Bulgaria.<ref name="heritage"/> With its architecture and frescos Rila Monastery represents a masterpiece of the creative genius of the [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian people]] and has exerted considerable influence on architecture and aesthetics within the Balkan area.<ref name="rila monastery">{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/216|title=Rila Monastery|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Official Site of UNESCO|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> Established in the [[First Bulgarian Empire]] by the medieval Bulgarian hermit and saint [[John of Rila]] during the reign of emperor [[Peter I of Bulgaria]] (r. 927–969),<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.rilamonastery.pmg-blg.com/Home_page_en.htm|title=Rila Monastery: History and General Information|website=Official Site of the Rila Monastery|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the monastery developed into one of the main cradles of Bulgarian culture, literature and spirituality. In the 18th century it became one of the main hubs of the [[Bulgarian National Revival]].<ref name="rila monastery"/><ref name="history"/> The complex covers an area of 8,800&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> and consists of a five-domed church, a defensive tower and monastic apartments encircling an inner yard. The exterior of the complex resembles a fortress with its high stone walls and little windows. The oldest surviving structure is the 23&nbsp;m high Hrelyo's Tower, constructed in 1334–1335.<ref name="rila monastery"/>

The Church of Theodore Tyro and Theodore Stratelates in Dobarsko at an elevation of about 1,000&nbsp;m is a small three-naved stone basilica half dug into the ground, constructed in 1614 and painted in 1672. The church is noted for its abundance of original frescoes and icons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.btsbg.org/100nto/crkva-sv-sv-teodor-tiron-i-teodor-stratilat|title=100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria: Church of Theodore Tyro and Theodore Stratelates, Dobarsko|website=Official Site of the Bulgarian Tourist Union|date=5 October 2017|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> The [[Church of St Nicholas, Sapareva Banya|Church of Saint Nicholas]] in Sapareva Banya is small medieval edifice, constructed anytime from the 11th to the 14th century. It was built using red bricks and white mortar and is of a simple [[cross-in-square]] design, with a single nave and apse.<ref name="journeybg">{{cite web|url=http://www.journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?guide=3467&city=1857|title=Свети Никола|last=Коритаров|first=Васил|publisher=Journey.bg|language=bg|access-date=30 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706155435/http://www.journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?guide=3467&city=1857|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The town of Samokov achieved economic prosperity during the 17–19 centuries due to production of iron and has a number of monuments, including churches, a convent, a 17th-century Ottoman drinking fountain and a museum of history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://samokov-info.com/tourism/borovets/tsarska-bistritsa-palace/?lang=en|title=Samokov|website=Tourist Information Center – Samokov|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.btsbg.org/100nto/istoricheski-muzey-14|title=100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria: Museum of History, Samokov|website=Official Site of the Bulgarian Tourist Union|date=9 October 2017|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> Near Belchin is located the recently restored Tsari Mali Grad Fortress.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.btsbg.org/100nto/cari-mali-grad|title=100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria: Tsari Mali Grad, Belchin|website=Official Site of the Bulgarian Tourist Union|date=9 October 2017|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>

== Honour ==
[[Rila Point]] on [[Livingston Island]] in the [[South Shetland Islands]], [[Antarctica]] is named after Rila Mountain.

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Central Rila Reserve3.jpg|One of the Musala Lakes
File:Okoto lake.jpg|Okoto, Rila's deepest lake
File:Rila Mountains, Bulgaria.jpg|A view of Rila
File:Image 7 Rila lakes - Bliznaka and Haramiata Peak.jpg|Crocuses next to the [[Seven Rila Lakes]]
File:Malyovitsa-winter-ifb.JPG|[[Malyovitsa]] seen in winter
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Bulgaria|Europe|Ecology|Environment}}

{{Div col|small=yes}}
*[[Geography of Bulgaria]]
*[[Rila National Park]]
*[[Rila Monastery Nature Park]]
*[[List of mountains in Bulgaria]]
*[[List of mountains of the Balkans]]
*[[List of protected areas of Bulgaria]]
*[[List of World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria]]
*[[List of ecoregions in Bulgaria]]
*[[Pirin]]
*[[Rhodope Mountains]]
{{Div col end}}

== Citations ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==

=== References ===
* {{cite book | ref={{harvid|Bulgarian Encyclopaedia|2003}}
 | title = Българска енциклопедия "А-Я"
 | trans-title = Bulgarian Encyclopaedia "A-Ya"
 | last = Головински (Golovinski)
 | first = Евгени (Evgeni)
 | others = и колектив
 | year = 2003
 | language = bg
 | publisher = Издателство "Труд" (Trud Press)
 | location = София ([[Sofia]])
 | isbn = 954-528-313-0
 }}
* {{cite book | ref={{harvid|Encyclopaedia Bulgaria|1986}}
 | title = Енциклопедия България. Том V. П-Р
 | trans-title = Encyclopaedia Bulgaria. Volume V. P-R
 | last = Георгиев (Georgiev)
 | first = Владимир (Vladimir)
 | others = и колектив
 | year = 1986
 | language = bg
 | publisher = Издателство на БАН ([[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]] Press)
 | location = София (Sofia)
 }}
* {{cite book | ref={{harvid|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980}}
 | title = Географски речник на България
 | trans-title = Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria
 | last1 = Мичев (Michev)
 | first1 = Николай (Nikolay)
 | last2 = Михайлов (Mihaylov)
 | first2 = Цветко (Tsvetko)
 | last3 = Вапцаров (Vaptsarov)
 | first3 = Иван (Ivan)
 | last4 = Кираджиев (Kiradzhiev)
 | first4 = Светлин (Svetlin)
 | year = 1980
 | language = bg
 | publisher = Наука и култура (Nauka i kultura)
 | location = София (Sofia)
 }}
* {{cite book | ref={{harvid|Donchev|Karakashev|2004}}
 | title = Теми по физическа и социално-икономическа география на България (Topics on Physical and Social-Economic Geography of Bulgaria)
 | last1 = Дончев (Donchev)
 | first1 = Дончо (Doncho)
 | last2 = Каракашев (Karakashev)
 | first2 = Христо (Hristo)
 | year = 2004
 | language = bg
 | publisher = Ciela
 | location = София (Sofia)
 | isbn = 954-649-717-7
 }}
* {{cite book | ref={{harvid|Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024|2015}}
 | title = Rila National Park Management Plan, 2015–2024 (План за управление на национален парк "Рила", 2015–2024)
 | last1 = Колектив (Collective)
 | year = 2015
 | language = bg
 | location = София ([[Sofia]])
 }}
* {{cite book | title = Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks
 | last = Perry
 | first = Julian
 | year = 2010
 | language = en
 | publisher = Cicerone
 | isbn = 978-1-85284-574-2
 }}
* {{cite book | ref={{harvid|Nabatov|2011}}
 | title = Електроенергетиката на България (Energy in Bulgaria)
 | last1 = Набатов (Nabatov)
 | first1 = Никита (Nikita)
 | last2 = 
 | first2 = 
 | year = 2011
 | language = bg
 | publisher = Гея Либрис (Tangra TanNakRa)
 | location = София (Sofia)
 | isbn = 978-954-378-081-5
 }}

=== External links ===
{{Commons category|Rila}}
* {{cite web |url= http://rilanationalpark.bg/en/ |title= Rila National Park |publisher= Official Site of Rila National Park|access-date=6 January 2018}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.bulgariatravel.org/en/article/details/354/National%20Park%20Rila |title= Rila National Park |publisher= Official Tourism Portal of Bulgaria |access-date= 6 January 2018 |archive-date= 28 March 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200328152602/https://www.bulgariatravel.org/en/article/details/354/National%2520Park%2520Rila |url-status= dead }}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.visitrila.net/home.html |title= Visiting Rila |access-date=6 January 2018}}

{{Bulgaria topics}}
{{Protected areas of Bulgaria}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rila| ]]
[[Category:Landforms of Blagoevgrad Province]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kyustendil Province]]
[[Category:Landforms of Sofia Province]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Blagoevgrad Province]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kyustendil Province]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Sofia Province]]
[[Category:Horsts (geology)]]