Silistra is located in the north-eastern part of Bulgaria, on a low Danubian terrace. The town is the nearest Bulgarian port to Reni and Izmail - Ukrine ports through which Bulgaria imports coal, timber and other raw materials.
     The territory of Silistra covers the eastern part of the Dobrudzha plateau sub-region, a part of the Danube Hilly Plain. The bigger part of the relief is with altitude of up to 200m, but the dry valleys directed unto the river Danube give it a hilly effect. Parallel of the bank is met the loess back relief. As a result of the distancing from the river bank and the high lands between the dry valleys, the fertile plain Baltata, near Aidemir, was formed along the bank of the river Danube. The lake Srebarna is located in the south west corner of this plain, and it is maintained by several karst springs. It has a depth of up to 2.3m, and is covered with vegetation where nest rare types of birds. Several islands are formed n the river Danube, some of which are good for tourism and recreation.
     The climate is temperate continental and is a part of the Danube climatic sub-region the hot summer, the early spring, and severe colds in the winter are characteristic of this region The absolute minimum temperature reaches to -32 degrees, and the maximum to + 40.4 degrees (in 1927 ). The steady maintaining of the temperature of the air over 10 degrees starts in the first ten days of April, and goes up to the end of October- about 200 days.
     The precipitation in the region is irregularly distributed, and it is insufficient, considering that the biggest quantities fall during the spring and the early summer months, and least quantity in the winter. The average annual precipitation is 547 mm/sq.m. The snow cover is preserved for 50-60days and is deep 16-30cm.
     The predominant winds are the north western and the western. There are about 26 foggy days a year.

     History

     Silisitra was first mentioned in 106 AD in a written order by the emperor Trayan, which means that by that time the town was already a strong fortress. It served as a striking force against the Empire enemies who came from the north crossing the Danube. Durostorum, as was the old name of the settlement, became a self-governing town - municipium in 169 AD, under Marcus Aurellus - philosopher and writer, Emperor of Rome from 161-180 AD.
     Being an administrative and economy centre as well as an important customs station Durostrum experienced vigorous growth.
     The Romans undertook major building projects - large and beautiful public buildings, churches, basilicas, baths and private houses, water conduits and marble statues and bas-relieves on the squares.
     In 590 the Slavs settled here. They re-named the town Drustur. Rich and prosperous, Drustur became an important Bulgarian stronghold and played a main role during the Conversion of Bulgarian to Christianity. In 969 Svetoslav - the Prince of Kiev was in front of the Drustur walls but this time the heavy town gates opened. In 976 Samuil liberated Drustur and the town became again a Bulgarian stronghold till the end of the millennium.
     In 1391 the fortress of Drustur became Turkish for several long centuries. At the end of 1912 the Balkan Alliance pushed the Turks out of Europe and Bulgaria and its neighbours negotiated for peace and distribution of the lands that used to be Turkish possession in Europe. At the same time, Romania, making use of the Bulgaria's engagements during the war claimed for the fertile south Dobroudzha as a compensation for the large parts of Macedonia, which Bulgaria would eventually gain. The conference recommended Bulgaria to cede the town of Silistra and the area westward and southward of it within radius of 3 km, with total area of 10 sq. km to Romania.

     Landmarks

     Museum of archaeology - one of the most temporary and modern in the country, with tens of unique cultural memorials of the roman, and medieval culture with national and world importance.
     Museum of ethnography - represents the isolated material and spiritual culture of South Dobrudzha of the ÕV²²² and Õ²Õ centuries.
     On the territory of the municipality function also: Dramatical Theatre with two departments- dramatic and puppet, Museum of history with 4 departments, Museum of Nature - village of Srebarna, Regional Library, Gallery of Arts, 2 private galleries, radio center, municipal brass band, 12 cultural centers, professional groups of journalists, painters, architects, scientific group unto the Museum of History.
     As far as Bulgarian cities go, Silistra has a fairly typical center with government buildings, shops, banks, a newly remodeled park along the river, and Turkish and Roman ruins scattered throughout the city. There is a border crossing that is serviced by a ferry, which costs about the equivalent of about 50 cents to cross the river into Romania. The Danube River Garden is a peaceful and beautiful. It was rebuilt with funds from The Beautiful Bulgaria Project, which is funded mainly by the European Union.

     Surrounding areas

     "Sreburna" was included in the list of the biosphere nature reserves under the aegis of UNESCO in 1977 and in 1983 it was included in the World Register of Natural Heritage. It is situated in Northern Bulgaria, at the delta of the river Danube. It is a lake, 1.5 m deep, fed by water from the river and Karst water. The temperature of the water during winter is 0°C, and in the summer up to 28°C. The natural habitat favours the growth of a wide variety of animal and plant species. Of great interest are the 160 species of birds, 90 of which nest and breed here. "Sreburna" is a stopping place for many migratory birds. It possesses one of the 4 known colonies of the curly-headed pelican in Europe. There is also a considerable colony of herons and other rare water birds. There are many species of mammals, river animals, different plants. The reserve covers an area of 800 hectares. In the vicinity there is a Nature museum and an Ecological research station.

     Logistics-roads, railroads, airports

     The good geographic location and access to a variety of transportation options make the Silistra region a good prospect for economic development.

     Port

     The Silistra industrial port is the only Bulgarian port on the Danube River with the capacity to hold river and sea ships weighing up to 5000 tons. The port provides the opportunity to utilize Silistra as a link in the "Silk Route", connecting the Far East to Western Europe via International Route #7 and the Rein-Main channel. The Silistra Danube commercial port has a 400 m key, five places for ships to dock, mechanization for re-transportation, loading, or unloading- one 32 ton portal crane and two 10 ton portal cranes, as well as a platform scale for weighing up to 50 tons.

     Ferry

     The future ferry link between Tutakan - Oltenitza, Rumania and Silistra - Calarashi, Rumania will be of great importance for cross-border activities and accessing the Bucharest market. These ferries will also provide the opportunity to increase trade from Scandinavia through Rumania and continuing on to Turkey and the Middle East by creating a route, other than through Rousse, to enter Bulgaria. The road-to- road terminal of Silistra - Reni, Ukraine. Through the Danube River, this route will also help to increase trade between countries. All of the variations mentioned above are alternative transportation trade routes to the European Transport Corridor #9.
     Ten kilometers outside of Silistra there is a cargo airport, which was build for international and domestic flights. It is state owned, but unfortunately is not currently in operation. It has the capacity to boost prospects for international trade with Russia, and Asian and West European countries. The airport has a fully equipped flight tower and the second longest long runways in the country.

     Rail

     The Region also has rail access; there are 67 km of railroad track in the region, with ten villages and towns along the route, which connects and is a part of the national rail system.