Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria with a population of 381,738. It is located along the Maritsa River in southern Bulgaria. Plovdiv has a long history dating back to ancient times and was originally called Philippopolis by Philip II of Macedon when he conquered it in 342 BC. Today, Plovdiv is an important economic, cultural and educational center known as "The City of Seven Hills" due to its location across six hills.