Kardzhali Province lies in the eastern Rhodope Mountains along the River Arda. It comprises seven local authority areas with five towns and 463 villages, and has a population of around 161 000 (2020 figure). Tobacco has traditionally been grown in the region. It has developed its non-ferrous metals and mineral processing sectors, along with light industry. The region is home to the Thracian religious site of Perperikon and many other Thracian architectural sites, which provides it with the right conditions to develop cultural tourism and ecotourism.