Eastern Rumelia was a historical region in the Balkans, located in the southern part of present-day Bulgaria. Established after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, it was an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire until it was officially annexed by Bulgaria in 1908. The region was known for its diverse population, including Bulgarians, Turks, and Greeks. The capital of Eastern Rumelia was Plovdiv, which became a cultural and economic center during its autonomy. The region played a significant role in the national movements of the Balkans, contributing to the broader struggles for independence and national identity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.