Because of the number of battles lost near the area of Smilevo and Demir Hisar, the Turkish forces had named the area "the iron fortress".
The following villages are situated within the municipality of Demir Hisar: Babino, Barakovo, Bazernik, Belce, Boiste, Brezevo, Cerevo, Dolenci, Edinakovci, Golemo Ilino, Graiste, Kociste, Kutretino, Malo Ilino, Mrenoga, Murgasevo, Novo Selo, Obednik, Pribilci, Radovo, Rakitnica, Rastojca, Sladuevo, Slepce, Sloestica, Smilevo, Sopotnica, Strugovo, Suvodol, Suvo Grlo, Sveta, Utovo, Vardino, Virovo, Velmevci, Zagorice, Zasle, Zeleznec, Zurce, and Zvan.