Pirin Mountains
| Pirin Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian: Пирин, Greek: Όρβηλος | |
Pirin scenery in winter
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Vihren |
| Elevation | 2,915 m (9,564 ft) |
| Coordinates | 41°45′49″N 23°23′58″E / 41.76361°N 23.39944°ECoordinates: 41°45′49″N 23°23′58″E / 41.76361°N 23.39944°E |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 80 km (50 mi) north-south |
| Width | 40 km (25 mi) north-south |
| Area | 2,585 km2 (998 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Geology | |
| Type of rock | granite, gneiss, marble, limestone |
The Pirin Mountains (Bulgarian: Пирин, Greek: Όρβηλος, Orbelos, "snow-white mountain") are a mountain range in southwestern Bulgaria, with Vihren (2,914 m high) the highest peak, situated at 41°45′50″N 23°25′30″E / 41.76389°N 23.42500°E. The range extends about 40 km northwest-southeast, and about 25 km wide. Most of the range is protected in the Pirin National Park. The mountain is named after Perun (Cyrillic: Перун), the highest god of the Slavic pantheon and the god of thunder and lightning.
To the north Pirin is separated from Bulgaria's highest mountain range, the Rila Mountains, by the Predel saddle, while to the south it reaches the Slavyanka mountain. To the west is located the valley of the Struma and to the east of the Mesta Rivers. Pirin is noted for its rich flora and fauna. Much of the area is forested, with the best conifer woods in Bulgaria, holding important populations of the Balkan endemic species Macedonian pine, Bosnian pine and Bulgarian fir. Animals include the wolf and the brown bear.
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