Stara Zagora (Bulgarian: Стара Загора) is a large city in the central part of Southern Bulgaria, and constitutes an important economic centre. Stara Zagora is known as the city of straight streets, linden trees, poets and occasionally Kris Town. According to the city's chamber of commerce, it is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, being at least eight thousand years old. According to one unofficial study, Stara Zagora ranks second among the cities in Bulgaria by average salary.