The name of the mountain comes from “Roula”, a Thracian word for a place abounding with water. And it is true that the Rila Mountains are very rich with water resourses, used for electricity production and for irrigation nowadays. The biggest Bulgarian rivers, including Iskar, Maritsa, and Mesta come from the glacial lakes of the Rila Mountains.
Rila Mountain is a glaciated range, mostly granite, with spectacular peaks, vast corries and impressive tarns. Clear streams run fast in the steep gullies. The lower part of the mountain is covered by forests of white and black fir, spruce, white and black pine. On the upper slopes abound dwarf pine, vast meadows and rocky peaks. Panorama views are superb. Typical for the Rila Mountains are so-called asymmetrical peaks – peaks with vertical walls from one or two sides and gently rolling pastures on the opposite sides. Herds of chamois wander in the most secluded areas. The most visited places in the mountain are the magnificent cirque of the Seven Rila Lakes and the famous Rila Monastery.