highest mountain range in Bulgaria and in the Balkan Peninsula, and one of the highest ranges in Europe. A northwestern section of the Rhodope Mountains, it has an area of 1,015 square miles (2,629 square km) and extends for about 50 miles (80 km) between the Thracian Plain at central Bulgaria and the Struma River. It rises to 9,596 feet (2,925 metres) at Musala peak and contains the headstreams of the Iskŭr, Maritsa, and Mesta rivers. Scattered mineral deposits include lead, copper, zinc, magnetite, oil shale, and marble (near Pernik).