Varbitsa (river)
| Varbitsa | |
|---|---|
The Varbitsa near Zlatograd | |
| Location | |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | near Margagyan Peak, Rhodope Mountains |
| • coordinates | 41°24′38.88″N 24°55′6.96″E / 41.4108000°N 24.9186000°E |
| • elevation | 1,284 m (4,213 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Studen Kladenets reservoir |
• coordinates | 41°36′8″N 25°26′8.16″E / 41.60222°N 25.4356000°E |
• elevation | 227 m (745 ft) |
| Length | 98 km (61 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,203 km2 (464 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Arda→ Maritsa→ Aegean Sea |
The Varbitsa (Bulgarian: Върбица [vɐrˈbit͡sɐ]) is a 98 km long river in the eastern Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria. It is the longest and the largest tributary of the Arda, the main river of mountain range, itself a tributary of the Maritsa. The Varbitsa is Bulgaria's most temperamental river, with up to 5,000 times difference in water volume between spring highs and autumn lows, with frequent massive flooding and erosion as a result. Its middle and lower valley is considered the boundary between the western and the eastern Rhodopes.