Kapitan Andreevo (Bulgarian: Капитан Андреево [kɐpiˈtan ɐnˈdrɛɛvo]) is a village near the Bulgaria—Turkey—Greece tripoint in Svilengrad municipality, Haskovo Province, southern Bulgaria. As of 2005 it has 948 inhabitants and the mayor is Dimitar Shiderov. Due to the proximity with Turkey, there is a major border checkpoint built there, with the Turkish side of the checkpoint being called Kapıkule. The busy Bulgaria–Turkey border crossing at Kapitan Andreevo is an important point of entrance to the European Union. Kapitan Andreevo is located at 41°43′N 26°19′E / 41.717°N 26.317°E, 30 metres above sea level.
Kapitan Andreevo Капитан Андреево | |
|---|---|
 Location of Kapitan Andreevo | |
  Kapitan Andreevo Location of Kapitan Andreevo | |
| Coordinates: 41°43′14.49″N 26°19′17.59″E / 41.7206917°N 26.3215528°E | |
| Country |  Bulgaria |
| Provinces (Oblast) | Haskovo |
| Municipality | Svilengrad Municipality |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Milen Milushev (GERB) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 28.462 km2 (10.989 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 348 m (1,142 ft) |
| Population (December 2009)[1] | |
| • Total | 969 |
| • Density | 34/km2 (88/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal Code | 6530 |
| Area code | 03773 |
The checkpoint, one of the busiest in the European Union, has been notorious as an entry point for drugs into the EU, and has long been reported to be run by organized crime.[2] It is part of a wider Bulgarian problem of border corruption, which has hindered Bulgaria's accession into the Schengen area.[2]