The Veleka (Bulgarian: Велека, Turkish: Kocadere) is a river in the very southeast of Bulgaria (Burgas Province), as well as the very northeast of European Turkey. It is 147 km long, of which 108 km lies in Bulgaria and 25 km lie in Turkey, and has its sources from a number of Karst springs in the Turkish part of the Strandzha (İstranca) mountains. It flows into the Black Sea at the Bulgarian village of Sinemorets. Veleka is situated in Strandzha Nature Park.
The waters of the Veleka are rich in flora and fauna, with more than 30 species of freshwater fish present, the most frequent one being the chub. Five endangered animal species inhabit the river, as well as important regional plants.
