Struma River

Struma River also spelled Strouma , Greek Potamós Strimón , ancient Strymon river in western Bulgaria and northeastern Greece, rise in the Vitosha Massif of the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, southwest of Sofia. It follows a course of 258 miles (415 km) south-southeast via Pernik to the Aegean Sea, which it enters 30 miles (50 km) west-southwest of Kavála. The area of its drainage basin is 4 208 square miles (10 898 square km). The Struma River valley in Bulgaria is a direct routeway from Sofia leading its way to the Aegean. Some of the major tributaries are the Dzherman, the Rilska, the Angítis, and the Strumeshnitsa (Strumica in Macedonia) rivers. The Struma River valley in Bulgaria is a major source of brown coal for Bulgaria — coal is obtained at Pernik, Bobov Dol and Brezhani.

The Struma River's lower course, south of the Rupel Pass in Greece, was canalized in 1930. Lake Akhinós was drained and Lake Kerkínis was filled in for flood control. The Struma River's lower course is now a wide agricultural valley. The area surrounding the Struma River is highly suitable for fishing tourism, relaxation, biking, hunting etc.