Stara Planina: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Stara Planina or Balkan mountain range is an extension of the Carpathian mountain range, separated from it by the Danube River. This range runs 560km from eastern Serbia westward through central Bulgaria to the Black Sea.

The highest peak is Botev (2376m), located in the Central Balkan National Park (established 1991). Dairy products, such as Kashkaval are produced here, as well as wine, plum and grape brandy known as Rakia.

The term 'Balkan' is derived from the Turkish word for mountain. In earlier times the mountains were known as the Haemus Mons, a name that is believed to derive from the Thracian Saimon, meaning 'chain'.