Varna, on the Black Sea, is the best city to live in in Bulgaria, according to a poll conducted by the commercial Darik Radio and the "24 Chassa" daily. The results of the poll were announced Thursday at a news conference in BTA.

Varna is trailed by Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, Northern Bulgaria, and Sofia. At the bottom of the table with the least number of points is Pernik, Western Bulgaria.

The two media selected 35 cities in Bulgaria which were ranked in terms of 40 criteria, among which green areas, air quality, playgrounds, architectural outlook, sports facilities, parking space, traffic congestion times, unemployment, investment. Part of the criteria were taken from similar polls worldwide.

The poll went on for more than two months.

Darik Radio Executive Director Radosvet Radev said that the poll can provide good starting points for the work of all local powers in the next four years. "24 Chassa" Editor-in-Chief Venelina Gocheva said that the ranking will serve as an incentive to cities to move up.

Regional Development and Public Works Minister Assen Gagaouzov wished success to the cities in the competition and said the idea could be further developed.

The Mayor of Varna Kiril Yordanov also attended the news conference and received the congratulations for his city's victory.