Rila National Park is the largest
national park in Bulgaria spanning an area of 810.46 km² in the
Rila mountain range in the south-west of the country. It was established on 24 February 1992 to protect several
ecosystems of national importance. Its altitude varies from 800 m. near
Blagoevgrad to 2925 m. at
Musala Peak, the highest summit in the
Balkan Peninsula. There are 120
glacial lakes, including the prominent
Seven Rila Lakes. Many rivers have their source in the national park, including the longest river entirely in the Balkans, the
Maritsa, and the longest river entirely in Bulgaria, the
Iskar. The national park occupies territory from 4 of the 28 provinces of the country:
Sofia,
Kyustendil,
Blagoevgrad and
Pazardzhik. It includes four
nature reserves: Parangalitsa, Central Rila Reserve, Ibar and Skakavitsa.