Stara Zagora region is located in the central part of Southern Bulgaria with an area of 5147 sq. km and a population of 390,000 in eleven municipalities. The city of Stara Zagora is in the heart of the region. The region has nine towns. In the Northern part of the region stands the majestic Balkan Mountain Range / Stara Planina. Just below the Balkans lay the Sredna Gora Mountains. The upper Thracian plain occupies the Central and Southern parts of the region. The climate in the region is influenced by the Mediterranean- it characterizes with soft winter and warm summer. The location of Stara Zagora region is a major advantage to trade with transportation routes providing easy access to Sofia in the West (230 km), Bourgas' Black Sea port in the East (180 km), Rousse's Danube Port at the Romanian Border in the North (235 km), and the Greek port Alexandrupolis, in the South (300 km). Stara Zagora serves as the central hub of an efficient train system connecting the region with all Bulgarian cities as well as cities in Eastern and Western Europe. The airport can offer easy access for the busy executive. Stara Zagora is one of the only two fundamental points in Bulgaria's optic highway providing a communication system to meet the standards of international business.