title: Rakitovo
text: # Rakitovo
  
  Rakitovo (Bulgarian: Ракитово) is a town in the Pazardzhik Province, Bulgaria. As of 2005 the population is 8 952. It is located in the northern part of the Rhodopi mountains at 12 km to the east of Velingrad and 7 km to the southwest of the Batak Reservoir. There is timber industry in the town. People from the region grow crops, lavender, potatoes and barley.
  
  Some Aromanians live in Rakitovo.
  
  ## International relations
  
  ### Twin towns — Sister cities
  
  Rakitovo is twinned with:
  
  * Svetlograd, Russia
  