Botev Peak is, at 2376m above sea level, the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains. It is located close to the geographic centre of Bulgaria, and is part of the Central Balkan National Park.
Until 1950, when it was renamed in honour of Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev, the peak was called Yumrukchal (Юмрукчал, from Ottoman Turkish Yumrukçal, 'a fist-like peak').
A weather station and a radio tower (opened on 10 July 1966) that covers 65% of the country are located on Botev Peak. The average temperature is -8.9°C in January and 7.9°C in July.
"Botev Peak" is the main facility of Bulgarian FM and TV broadcasting network. The situation at the top near the geographical center of Bulgaria contribute to national radio broadcasts and television broadcast here to cover more than 65% throughout the country, also in parts of Romania and Turkey.
Radio programme FM frequency ERP Remarks
BNR Hristo Botev 92,20 MHz 1 kW 1970-2003: 72.44 MHz
1975-1998: 71.66 MHz (to 1992: Programme Orpheus/Znanie; to 1998: Radio Plovdiv)
BNR Horizont 100,90 MHz 10 kW 1970-2003: 70.88 MHz
TV programme Channel ERP Remarks
BNT 1 11 20 kW
bTV 24 40 kW 1975-2000: Efir 2