Plovdiv region shown within Bulgaria

Plovdiv is an oblast, or province, of central Bulgaria, formerly part of Eastern Rumelia. It is primarily an agricultural area and contains one-seventh of all of Bulgaria's arable land. The capital of Plovdiv is the city of Plovdiv, but the region also contains 16 other municipalities: Assenovgrad , Karlovo , Maritza, Rodopi, Hissar, Parvomay , Stamboliiski , Krichim , Perushtitza, Sadovo , Laki , Rakovski , Bresovo , Saedinenie , Kaloyanovo and Kouklen .