Pazardzhik is a city located in southern Bulgaria along the banks of the Maritsa river. It serves as the administrative center for both Pazardzhik Province and Pazardzhik Municipality. The city is situated within the Upper Thracian Plain and specifically in the Pazardzhik-Plovdiv Field subregion.
Geographically, Pazardzhik is positioned approximately 37 kilometres west of Plovdiv, 112 kilometres southeast of Sofia, and 288 kilometres from Burgas. The city experienced significant population growth from the end of the 19th century through the end of the 20th century, reaching a peak of over 80,000 residents. However, the city's population later declined due to emigration following Bulgaria's poor economic performance during the 1990s and early 2000s.