Uzunbodzhak Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Strandzha, Bulgaria
Uzunbodzhak Reserve is a protected area in the Strandzha region of southeastern Bulgaria covering 2,529 hectares with elevations ranging from 50 to 300 meters. The terrain includes diverse habitats and is accessible through marked trails that connect to nearby villages.
The Bulgarian government established this protected area in 1956, and UNESCO later designated it as a biosphere reserve in 1977. This international recognition highlighted the area's ecological importance for safeguarding natural diversity.
The villages near the reserve follow traditional ways of living closely tied to the land, with residents gathering medicinal plants according to customs passed down through generations. These practices shape the region today and show how people and nature coexist here.
Access to the reserve follows marked trails that connect from Malko Tarnovo and help guide visitors through the area. Nature observation and research activities are possible throughout the year without major seasonal restrictions.
The area hosts around 651 plant species, including the Strandzha oak that dominates about 65 percent of the wooded areas. This oak species is particularly characteristic of this part of Bulgaria and draws botanists interested in regional plant life.
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