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Suceava County

Suceava County is a county (județ) of Romania. Most of its territory lies in the southern part of the historical region of Bukovina (Bucovina), while the remainder forms part of Western Moldavia proper.

The county seat is the historical town of Suceava (Suczawa, also Sotschen or Sutschawa; historically known in Old High German as Sedschopff as well) which was the capital of the Principality of Moldavia during the late Middle Ages and then a pivotal, predominantly German-speaking commercial town of the Habsburgs, Austrian Empire, and Austria-Hungary at the border with the Romanian Old Kingdom (Vechiul Regat, Altreich) throughout the late modern period up until 1918, when, after the end of World War I, the town became part of the enlarged Kingdom of Romania.

Suceava County, as part of the historical and geographical region of Bukovina, had been sometimes described as 'Switzerland of the East'. It has also been known as 'Switzerland of Eastern Europe' in the minds of the educated public.

Demographics
In 2011, as per the official census conducted that year, Suceava County had a population of 634,810, with a population density of 74/km2. The proportion of each constituent ethnic group is displayed below as follows, according to how they were officially recorded:

 * Romanians – 96.14%
 * Romani – 1.92%
 * Ukrainians (including Hutsuls and Rusyns) – 0.92%
 * Lipovans – 0.27%
 * Germans (namely Bukovina Germans, Zipser Germans/Saxons, and Regat Germans) – 0.11%
 * West Slavs (i.e. Poles, Slovaks, and Czechs) as well as minor other ethnic groups (including Hungarians or Szekelers, more specifically the Székelys of Bukovina) – 0.5%

Historical population in the 20th and 21st centuries
In the recent past, during the early 20th century, Suceava County used to be more ethnically heterogenous or mixed (due to the ethnic legacy and heritage of the former Austro-Hungarian times when most of the territory of the county was part of the Duchy of Bukovina), with sizeable minority populations of Germans (more specifically Bukovina Germans, including Zipsers), Jews, Ukrainians, Poles, or Hungarians (more specifically Székelys of Bukovina). These minority communities gradually dwindled throughout much of the 20th century.

In addition, small German minority groups/communities existed (and still exist) on the territory of Suceava County which forms part of Western Moldavia as well, more specifically Regat Germans (Regatsdeutsche) inhabiting the small town of Fălticeni (Folitscheni) for example.

Nowadays, during the early 21st century, the county is inhabited mostly by Romanians with very few minority ethnic groups, therefore making it very ethnically homogenous. Additionally, the primary language of the majority of the population is Romanian and the main religion is Eastern Orthodoxy represented by the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Geography
Two-thirds of the county lies within the southern part of the historical region of Bukovina, while the rest of it incorporates territories from Western Moldavia proper.

In terms of total area, it covers a surface of 8553 km², making it thus the second in Romania in this particular regard, just after Timiș County in Banat.

The western side of the county consists of mountains from the Eastern Carpathians group: the Rodna Mountains, the Rarău Mountains, the Giumalău Mountains, and the Ridges of Bukovina, the latter with lower heights.

The county's elevation decreases towards the east, with the lowest height in the Siret River valley. The rivers crossing the county are the Siret River with its tributaries: the Moldova, Suceava, and Bistrița rivers.

Neighbours
The county of Suceava is bordered by the following other territorial units:

 * Ukraine to the north – Chernivtsi Oblast.
 * Mureș County, Harghita County, and Neamț County to the south.
 * Botoșani County and Iași County to the east.
 * Maramureș County and Bistrița-Năsăud County to the west.

Economy
The predominant industries/economic sectors in the county are as follows:

 * Lumber – producing the greatest land mass of forests in Romania;
 * Food and Cooking;
 * Mechanical components;
 * Construction materials;
 * Mining;
 * Textile and leather;
 * Tourism.

Suceava occupies the first place among the Romanian cities with the most commercial spaces per inhabitant. Notable supermarket chains correlated with the aforementioned economic areas: Metro, Carrefour, Auchan, Selgros, Kaufland, and Lidl (some of the biggest supermarket chains in Romania).

In June 2022, it was reported that there are projects worth 1 billion EUR for the Suceava County from the PNRR/Next Generation EU plan by County Council president Gheorghe Flutur, former acting/ad interim president of the National Liberal Party (PNL).

Tourism
In 2017, Suceava was ranked 3rd in Romania regarding the total tourist accommodation capacity, after Brașov and Constanța counties. Furthermore, one year later in 2018, Suceava County was designated "European destination of excellence" by the European Commission (EC).

The main tourist attractions of the county are:

 * The town of Suceava with its medieval fortifications;
 * The Painted churches of northern Moldavia and their monasteries:
 * The Voroneț Monastery;
 * The Putna Monastery;
 * The Moldovița Monastery;
 * The Sucevița Monastery;
 * The Bogdana Monastery from Rădăuți;
 * The Humor Monastery;
 * The Arbore Monastery;
 * The Probota Monastery;
 * The Dragomirna Monastery;
 * The medieval salt mine of Cacica (Kaczyka);
 * Mocăniță narrow-gauge steam train network, built during Austrian times, in the Moldovița commune and other rural parts of the county;
 * The Vatra Dornei resort;
 * The cities and towns of Rădăuți, Fălticeni, Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Gura Humorului, and Siret;
 * The Via Transilvanica long-distance hiking and biking trail, which crosses the county.

1992–1996
The elected President of the County Council was Constantin Sofroni (FSN). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 1992 local elections, consisted of 45 councillors, with the following party composition:

1996–2000
The elected President of the County Council was Gavril Mârza (PDSR). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 1996 local elections, consisted of 45 councillors, with the following party composition:

2000–2004
The elected President of the County Council was Gavril Mârza (PDSR). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 2000 local elections, consisted of 45 councillors, with the following party composition:

2004–2008
The elected President of the County Council was Gavril Mârza (PSD). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 2004 local elections, consisted of 37 councillors, with the following party composition:

2008–2012
The elected President of the County Council was Gheorghe Flutur (PDL). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 2008 local elections, consisted of 36 councillors, with the following party composition:

2012–2016
The elected President of the County Council was Cătălin Nechifor (PSD/USL). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 2012 local elections, consisted of 36 councillors, with the following party composition:

2016–2020
The elected President of the County Council was Gheorghe Flutur (PNL). The Suceava County Council, elected at the 2016 local elections, consisted of 37 councillors, with the following party composition:

2020–2024

The elected President of the County Council is Gheorghe Flutur (PNL). The Suceava County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 36 county councillors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions

Suceava County has 5 municipalities, 11 towns, and 98 communes.

 * Municipalities
 * Câmpulung Moldovenesc
 * Fălticeni
 * Rădăuți
 * Suceava – county seat (Oraș reședință de județ); population within town limits: 124,161 (as of 2018)
 * Vatra Dornei

 * Towns
 * Broșteni
 * Cajvana
 * Dolhasca
 * Frasin
 * Gura Humorului
 * Liteni
 * Milișăuți
 * Salcea
 * Siret
 * Solca
 * Vicovu de Sus

 * Communes
 * Adâncata
 * Arbore
 * Baia
 * Bălăceana
 * Bălcăuți
 * Berchișești
 * Bilca
 * Bogdănești
 * Boroaia
 * Bosanci
 * Botoșana
 * Breaza
 * Brodina
 * Bunești
 * Burla
 * Cacica
 * Calafindești
 * Capu Câmpului
 * Cârlibaba
 * Ciocănești
 * Ciprian Porumbescu
 * Comănești
 * Cornu Luncii
 * Coșna
 * Crucea
 * Dărmănești
 * Dolhești
 * Dorna-Arini
 * Dorna Candrenilor
 * Dornești
 * Drăgoiești
 * Drăgușeni
 * Dumbrăveni
 * Fântâna Mare
 * Fântânele
 * Forăști
 * Frătăuții Noi
 * Frătăuții Vechi
 * Frumosu
 * Fundu Moldovei
 * Gălănești
 * Grămești
 * Grănicești
 * Hănțești
 * Hârtop
 * Horodnic de Jos
 * Horodnic de Sus
 * Horodniceni
 * Iacobeni
 * Iaslovăț
 * Ilișești
 * Ipotești
 * Izvoarele Sucevei
 * Mălini
 * Mănăstirea Humorului
 * Marginea
 * Mitocu Dragomirnei
 * Moara
 * Moldova-Sulița
 * Moldovița
 * Mușenița
 * Ostra
 * Păltinoasa
 * Panaci
 * Pârteștii de Jos
 * Pătrăuți
 * Poiana Stampei
 * Poieni-Solca
 * Pojorâta
 * Preutești
 * Putna
 * Rădășeni
 * Râșca
 * Sadova
 * Șaru Dornei
 * Satu Mare
 * Șcheia
 * Șerbăuți
 * Siminicea
 * Slatina
 * Straja
 * Stroiești
 * Stulpicani
 * Sucevița
 * Todirești
 * Udești
 * Ulma
 * Vadu Moldovei
 * Valea Moldovei
 * Vama
 * Vatra Moldoviței
 * Verești
 * Vicovu de Jos
 * Voitinel
 * Volovăț
 * Vulturești
 * Zamostea
 * Zvoriștea

 * Villages
 * Probota
 * Solonețu Nou

2010 floods
During June 2010, Gheorghe Flutur, at that time (as now) the president of Suceava County Council, stated in a Mediafax interview that his county was one of the worst hit in the country. In the morning of June 29, relief work was coordinated to deal with the flooding that killed 21 people and caused hundreds to be evacuated from their homes.

Notable natives and residents

 * Anca Parghel – Romanian-Romani musician and jazz singer
 * Matei Vișniec – Romanian-French playwright
 * Nichita Danilov – Lipovan poet
 * Iulian Vesper – Romanian poet and writer
 * Nicolae Labiș – Romanian poet
 * Grigore Vasiliu Birlic – Romanian actor
 * Ion G. Sbiera – Romanian folklorist
 * Ion Costist – Romanian 16th century Roman Catholic monk
 * Liviu Giosan – Romanian-American marine geologist
 * Elisabeta Lipă – Romanian Olympic rower
 * Dorin Goian – Romanian football player
 * Constantin Schumacher – Romanian-German footballer
 * Józef Weber – German Roman Catholic archbishop
 * Elisabeth Axmann – German writer
 * Otto Babiasch – German Olympic boxer
 * Lothar Würzel – German linguist, journalist, and politician
 * George Ostafi – German abstract painter
 * Hugo Weczerka – German historian and academician
 * Anton Keschmann – German politician in the Imperial Austrian Parliament
 * Olha Kobylianska – Ukrainian-German writer
 * Ludwig Adolf Staufe-Simiginowicz – Ukrainian-German writer and educator
 * George Löwendal – Russian-Danish painter

Historical county
In the Kingdom of Romania, between the early 20th century up to the end of the 1940s, the county had a smaller size and population.

The contemporary Suceava county is the result of the merger of other smaller former Romanian counties from the historical regions of Bukovina and Western Moldavia that were functional mostly throughout the interwar period (e.g. Rădăuți County, Câmpulung County) and part of Baia County). As per the administrative reform of 1938 under King Carol II, the whole counties which divided Bukovina in the Kingdom of Romania were united into a bigger land called Ținutul Suceava. Later, during World War II, Suceava County was part of the Bukovina Governorate of Romania.

As for the historical interwar Suceava County, this administrative unit was located in the northern part of Greater Romania and the southern part of the historical region of Bukovina respectively. Its territory was situated entirely within the borders of the current Suceava County, constituting thus the central-eastern part of the contemporary namesake county. During the interwar period, it was the smallest county of Greater Romania by area, covering 1309 sqkm.

It was bordered on the east by the counties of Dorohoi and Botoșani, to the north by Rădăuți County, to the west by Câmpulung County, and to the south by Baia County.

During the communism period, Suceava County was at some point dissolved (as were all other counties in Romania as per the law no. 5 from 6 September 1950), then changed into the Suceava Region and then re-organized once again as county starting from 1968.

Administrative organization

As of 1930, the county was administratively subdivided into three districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Arbore, headquartered at Arbore
 * 2) Plasa Dragomirna, headquartered at Dragomirna
 * 3) Plasa Ilișești, headquartered at Ilișești

In 1938, the county was administratively reorganized into the following districts:
 * 1) Plasa Arbore, headquartered at Solca (containing 15 villages)
 * 2) Plasa Bosancea, headquartered at Bosancea (including 36 villages)
 * 3) Plasa Ilișești, headquartered at Ilișești (including 17 villages)

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 121,327, ethnically divided among Romanians (79.5%), Germans (primarily Bukovina Germans but also Zipsers) (8.2%), Jews (5.5%), Poles (2.7%), Ukrainians (1.7%), as well as other ethnic minorities.

By language the county was divided among Romanian (76.5%), German (9.4%), Ukrainian (5.5%), Yiddish (4.3%), Polish (2.5%), as well as other languages. From the religious point of view, the population consisted of Eastern Orthodox (80.1%), Roman Catholic (8.4%), Jewish (5.5%), Evangelical Lutheran (3.3%), Greek Catholic (1.4%), as well as other minor religions.

Urban population
The county's urban population consisted of 19,850 inhabitants (17,028 in Suceava and 2,822 in Solca), ethnically divided among Romanians (61.5%), Jews (18.7%), Germans (13.9%), Poles (2.6%), as well as other ethnic minorities.

As a mother tongue in the urban population, Romanian (60.4%) predominated, followed by German (18.7%), Yiddish (13.8%), Ukrainian (3.2%), Polish (2.2%), as well as other minor spoken languages. From the religious point of view, the urban population consisted of 60.6% Eastern Orthodox, 18.8% Jewish, 15.3% Roman Catholic, 2.0% Greek Catholic, 1.7% Evangelical Lutheran, 0.7% Baptist as well as other confessional minorities.

title: Suceava County


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Sibiu County

Sibiu County is a county (județ) of Romania, in the historical region of Transylvania. Its county seat (reședință de județ) is the namesake town of Sibiu (Hermannstadt).

Name
In Hungarian, it is known as Szeben megye, and in German as Kreis Hermannstadt. Under the Kingdom of Hungary, a county with an identical name (Szeben County, Comitatul Sibiu) was created in 1876.

Demographics

In 2011, Sibiu County had a population of 397,322 and the population density was.

At the 2011 census, the county has the following population indices:

 * Romanians – 91.25% (or 340,836)
 * Romani – 4.76% (or 17,901)
 * Hungarians – 2.89% (or 10,893)
 * Germans (Transylvanian Saxons) – 1.09% (or 4,117)
 * Other – 0.1% (or 640)

At the 2021 census, the county has the following population indices:

 * Romanians – 93.36% (or 313,118)
 * Romani – 3.82% (or 12,808)
 * Hungarians – 1.82% (or 6,112)
 * Germans (Transylvanian Saxons) – 0.81% (or 2,716)
 * Other – 0.19% (or 641)

Religion:

 * Romanian Orthodox – 90.9%
 * Greek Catholics – 2.3%
 * Reformed – 2.0%
 * Roman Catholics – 1.5%
 * Pentecostals – 1.1%
 * Baptists – 0.9%
 * Other – 1.3%

Urbanisation – 5th most urbanised county in Romania:

 * Urban dwellers: 277,574 (or 65.8%)
 * Rural dwellers: 144,150 (or 34.2%)

Traditionally, the biggest minority in the county were Germans, but their numbers have decreased since World War II and especially after the Romanian Revolution of 1989.

The south side of the county, closer to the mountains was mainly inhabited by Romanians (Mărginimea Sibiului), and the north side of the country – the Transylvanian Plateau was inhabited evenly by Germans and Romanians, but most Saxon villages are now deserted by their original ethnic German population. The Roma population, mainly from southern Romania, was placed close to the villages in the communist period and have since increased their numbers, especially in the Hârtibaciu valley.

Most of the population is concentrated in the Sibiu metro area which has over 240 thousand inhabitants, with settlements like Șelimbăr, Cisnădie (especially the Arhitecților neighbourhood), Șura Mare, Șura Mica, Cristian and Roșia having grown in population in the last 15 years, both from internal migration from the county and from other areas, mainly Vâlcea county. Tălmaciu and Avrig are other towns in the area.

Another population centre is the second largest city, Mediaș, with almost 40 thousand inhabitants, which forms a relatively higher population density area than the surrounding northern part of the county, with the nearby towns of Copșa Mică and Dumbrăveni and also communes like Bazna or Târnava.

Geography
This county has a total area of 5432 km2.

In the South side there are the Carpathian Mountains (Southern Carpathians) – the Făgăraș Mountains with heights over 2500 m, the Lotru Mountains, and the Cindrel Mountains – which make up to 30% of the county's surface. The Olt River crosses the mountains over to the South of Romania in Sibiu County, forming one of the most accessible links between Transylvania and Wallachia. In the North side there is the Transylvanian Plateau.

The most important rivers crossing the county are the Olt in the South with the Cibin as its main effluent, and the Târnava in the North.

Neighbours

 * Brașov County in the East.
 * Alba County in the West.
 * Mureș County in the North.
 * Vâlcea County in the South.
 * Argeș County in the South-East.

Economy
Sibiu County has one of the most dynamic economies in Romania, and is one of the regions with the highest level of foreign investment.

The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Machine and automotive components.
 * Food industry.
 * Textile industry.
 * Wood industry.

The biggest natural resource in the county is natural gas, especially in the north side, having one of the largest sources in the country.

In Copșa Mică during the communist period there were two chemical industrial complexes which polluted the environment heavily with carbon black, heavy metals, and other chemical substances. The area is still considered one of the most polluted communities in Europe. After 1989 many of the industrial complexes were shut down and the area is slowly recovering.

Politics
The regional legislature is the County Council. Its president was Martin Bottesch (FDGR/DFDR) from 2004 to 2012. The Sibiu County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Tourism

The main tourist attractions in the county are:
 * The city of Sibiu with its medieval fortifications and its historic centre.
 * The medieval city of Mediaș.
 * The medieval Saxon fortified churches and villages from Transylvania, some of them being UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
 * Biertan.
 * Valea Viilor.
 * Cisnădie.
 * Cisnădioara.
 * Slimnic.
 * Agnita.
 * The abbey of Cârța
 * The Făgăraș Mountains.
 * The Bâlea Valley and the Transfăgărășan.
 * The Negoiu Peak.
 * Păltiniș mountain resort and the Cindrel Mountains.
 * Ocna Sibiului, Bazna, and Miercurea Sibiului spa towns.
 * The Mărginimea Sibiului rural area.
 * The Via Transilvanica long-distance hiking and biking trail, which crosses the county

Natives

 * Emil Cioran
 * Octavian Goga

Administrative divisions

Sibiu County has 2 municipalities, 9 towns, and 53 communes
 * Municipalities
 * Mediaș
 * Sibiu - capital city; population: 137,026 (as of 2011)
 * Towns

 * Agnita
 * Avrig
 * Cisnădie
 * Copșa Mică
 * Dumbrăveni
 * Miercurea Sibiului
 * Ocna Sibiului
 * Săliște
 * Tălmaciu

 * Communes

 * Alma
 * Alțâna
 * Apoldu de Jos
 * Arpașu de Jos
 * Ațel
 * Axente Sever
 * Bazna
 * Bârghiș
 * Biertan
 * Blăjel
 * Boița
 * Brateiu
 * Brădeni
 * Bruiu
 * Chirpăr
 * Cârța
 * Cârțișoara
 * Cristian
 * Dârlos
 * Gura Râului
 * Hoghilag
 * Iacobeni
 * Jina
 * Laslea
 * Loamneș
 * Ludoș
 * Marpod
 * Merghindeal
 * Micăsasa
 * Mihăileni
 * Moșna
 * Nocrich
 * Orlat
 * Păuca
 * Poiana Sibiului
 * Poplaca
 * Porumbacu de Jos
 * Racovița
 * Rășinari
 * Râu Sadului
 * Roșia
 * Sadu
 * Slimnic
 * Șeica Mare
 * Șeica Mică
 * Șelimbăr
 * Șura Mare
 * Șura Mică
 * Tilișca
 * Târnava
 * Turnu Roșu
 * Valea Viilor
 * Vurpăr

Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the central part of Greater Romania, in the southern part of the historical region of Transylvania. The capital was Sibiu.

The interwar county's territory included most of the southwestern portion of today's Sibiu County, excluding the area around Vizocna that belonged to former Hungarian subdivision of Alsó-Fehér County, and the communes of Agârbiciu, Buia, Frâua, Hașag, Șelca Mare, and Șelca Mică, which all belonged to Târnava Mare County. Sibiu County once contained the district around Sebeș, which passed in 1925 to Alba County.

It was bordered to the west by the counties of Hunedoara and Alba, to the north by the counties of Târnava-Mică and Târnava Mare, to the east by Făgăraș County, and to the south by the counties of Gorj and Vâlcea.

Administration

The county originally consisted of the city of Sibiu and four districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Mercurea, headquartered at Mercurea
 * 2) Plasa Ocna Sibiului, headquartered at Ocna Sibiului
 * 3) Plasa Săliște, headquartered at Săliște
 * 4) Plasa Sibiu, headquartered at Sibiu

A subsequent administrative division in 1937 had the county divided into the city of Sibiu and six districts:
 * 1) Plasa Avrig, headquartered at Avrig
 * 2) Plasa Mercurea, headquartered at Mercurea
 * 3) Plasa Nocrich, headquartered at Nocrich
 * 4) Plasa Ocna Sibiului, headquartered at Ocna Sibiului
 * 5) Plasa Săliște, headquartered at Săliște
 * 6) Plasa Sibiu, headquartered at Sibiu

Population
According to the census data of 1930, the county's population was 194,619, of which 62.0% were Romanians, 29.3% Germans, 4.7% Hungarians, as well as other minorities. In the religious aspect, the population consisted of 52.0% Eastern Orthodox, 27.8% Lutheran, 12.7% Greek Catholic, 4.0% Roman Catholic, 2.2% Reformed (Calvinist), as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the urban population was ethnically divided as follows: 43.8% Germans, 37.7% Romanians, 13.2% Hungarians, 2.7% Jews, as well as other minorities. As a mother tongue in the urban population, German was spoken by 44.7% of the population, followed by Romanian (38.5%), Hungarian (13.7%), Yiddish (1.4%), as well as other minority languages. From the religious point of view, the urban population was made up of 38.8% Lutheran, 31.5% Eastern Orthodox, 12.9% Roman Catholic, 7.5% Greek Catholic, 5.2% Reformed, 2.9% Jewish, as well as other minorities.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Sibiu County


text:
Satu Mare County

Satu Mare County (Județul Satu Mare,, Szatmár megye) is a county (județ) of Romania, on the border with Hungary and Ukraine. The capital city is Satu Mare.

Name
In Hungarian, it is known as Szatmár megye, in German as Kreis Sathmar, in Ukrainian as Сату-Маре, and in Slovak as Satmárska župa.

Geography
Satu Mare County has a total area of 4418 km2.

In the north are the Oaș Mountains, part of the Eastern Carpathians. This makes up around 17% of the area. The remainder is hills, forming 20% of the area, and plains. The western part of the county takes up the Eastern part of the Pannonian Plain.

The county is crossed by the Someș River, the Tur River, and Crasna River.

The county lies partly in the historical region of Maramureș and partly in the historical region of Crișana.

Neighbours

 * Maramureș County in the East.
 * Hungary in the West – Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County.
 * Ukraine in the North – Zakarpattia Oblast.
 * Bihor County and Sălaj County in the South.

Satu Mare County, together with the Bihor, Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj counties, constitute the Nord-Vest development region of Romania. The county is a member of the Carpathian Euroregion.

Demographics
According to the 2021 census, the county had a population of 330,668 and the population density was.

Satu Mare is a culturally diverse county, with a population mix of Romanians, Hungarians, Roma, Germans, and other ethnicities. The county's largest ethnic minority, Hungarians mostly reside along the border with Hungary, but some are also scattered throughout the whole county. Historically, Hungarians were concentrated in the cities, where administration resides, while the Romanian population was larger in the villages throughout the county. In 1930, the Hungarians represented 41.9% of the urban population in Satu Mare County and only 20.0% of the population in the villages according to census data. The proportion of different ethnic groups varied throughout history, due to regime and political changes. After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the Hungarian population increased its proportion greatly, in 1880 representing 44.4% and in 1910 reaching 55.1% of the county population, according to Árpád E. Varga. After World War I the Hungarian and German population declined.

Economy
Satu Mare County benefits from its position, close to the border of Romania with Hungary and Ukraine, and it is one of the places which attracts foreign investment in industry and agriculture.

The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Textiles industry;
 * Machine and automotive components;
 * Food industry;
 * Wood and furniture industry.

Tourism
The main tourist attractions in the county are:
 * The "Oaș Country", with its strong Romanian folk traditions, on the North Eastern side of the county;
 * The Oaș Mountains;
 * The cities of Satu Mare and Carei;
 * Tășnad Resort;
 * The fortifications from Ardud and Medieșu Aurit.

Politics
The Satu Mare County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions

Satu Mare County has 2 municipalities, 4 towns, and 59 communes:

 * Municipalities
 * Satu Mare – county seat; 102,441 (as of 2011)
 * Carei
 * Towns
 * Ardud
 * Livada
 * Negrești-Oaș
 * Tășnad

 * Communes
 * Acâș
 * Agriș
 * Andrid
 * Apa
 * Bătarci
 * Beltiug
 * Berveni
 * Bixad
 * Bârsău
 * Bogdand
 * Botiz
 * Călinești-Oaș
 * Cămărzana
 * Cămin
 * Căpleni
 * Căuaș
 * Cehal
 * Certeze
 * Ciumești
 * Craidorolț
 * Crucișor
 * Culciu
 * Doba
 * Dorolț
 * Foieni
 * Gherța Mică
 * Halmeu
 * Hodod
 * Homoroade
 * Lazuri
 * Medieșu Aurit
 * Micula
 * Moftin
 * Odoreu
 * Orașu Nou
 * Păulești
 * Petrești
 * Pir
 * Pișcolt
 * Pomi
 * Porumbești
 * Racşa
 * Sanislău
 * Santău
 * Săcășeni
 * Săuca
 * Socond
 * Supur
 * Tarna Mare
 * Terebești
 * Tiream
 * Târșolț
 * Turț
 * Turulung
 * Urziceni
 * Valea Vinului
 * Vetiș
 * Viile Satu Mare
 * Vama

Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the northwestern part of Greater Romania, stretching to its borders with Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Its territory lay in the historical Crișana region. After the administrative unification law in 1925, the name of the county remained as it was, but the territory was reorganized. It was bordered on the northwest by Hungary, on the north by Czechoslovakia, to the east by Maramureș County, to the southeast by Someș County, and to the south and southwest by Sălaj County. Currently, its territory is included in the current counties of Satu Mare and Maramureș.

Administration
In 1930, the county was divided into eight districts (plăși):

 * 1) Plasa Arded (headquartered at Arded)
 * 2) Plasa Baia Mare (headquartered at Baia Mare)
 * 3) Plasa Mănăștur (headquartered at Mănăștur)
 * 4) Plasa Oașiu (headquartered at Oașiu)
 * 5) Plasa Satu Mare (headquartered at Satu Mare)
 * 6) Plasa Seini (headquartered at Seini)
 * 7) Plasa Șomcuta Mare (headquartered at Șomcuta Mare)
 * 8) Plasa Ugocea (headquartered at Ugocea)

The county included the city of Satu Mare (the county seat) and the urban communes Baia Mare and Baia Sprie.

History
Prior to World War I, the territory of the county belonged to Austria-Hungary and mostly was contained in the Szatmár County of the Kingdom of Hungary. In the aftermath of the war and the ensuing Hungarian–Romanian War, the Romanian Army entered the county in early 1919, and its administration passed to the Kingdom of Romania. The territory of Satu Mare County was transferred to Romania from Hungary as successor state to Austria-Hungary in June 1920 under the Treaty of Trianon.

In 1938, King Carol II promulgated a new Constitution, and subsequently he had the administrative division of the Romanian territory changed. 10 ținuturi (approximate translation: "lands") were created (by merging the counties) to be ruled by rezidenți regali (approximate translation: "Royal Residents") - appointed directly by the King - instead of the prefects. Satu Mare County became part of Ținutul Crișuri.

At the end of August 1940, the county was transferred back to Hungary with the rest of Northern Transylvania under the Second Vienna Award. In October 1944, Romanian forces with Soviet assistance recaptured the ceded territory, with the Battle of Carei marking the complete reintegration of Northern Transylvania into Romania. Romanian jurisdiction over the county per the Treaty of Trianon was reaffirmed in the Paris Peace Treaties, 1947. The county was disestablished by the communist government of Romania in 1950, and its territory became part of Baia Mare Region, which in turn was renamed the Maramureș Region in 1960. Satu Mare County was re-established in 1968, when Romania restored the county administrative system.

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 294,875, 60.5% Romanians, 25.2% Hungarians, 8.1% Jews, 3.2% Germans, as well as other minorities. From a religious point of view, the population consisted of 59.0% Greek Catholics, 15.0% Roman Catholics, 8.6% Jewish, 4.4% Eastern Orthodox, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 69,526 inhabitants, 41.9% Hungarians, 35.0% Romanians, 18.6% Jews, 1.6% Germans, as well as other minorities. As a mother tongue in the urban area, Hungarian dominated (55.6%), followed by Romanian (31.1%), Yiddish (10.6%), German (1.4%), as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population consisted of 33.7% Greek Catholics, 23.0% Reformed, 20.0% Jewish, 19.6% Roman Catholic, 2.9% Eastern Orthodox, as well as other minorities.

title: Satu Mare County


text:
Iași County

Iași County is a county (județ) of Romania, in Western Moldavia, with the administrative seat at Iași. It is the most populous county in Romania, after the Municipality of Bucharest (which has the same administrative level as that of a county).

Geography
This county has a total area of 5476 km2. It lies on a plain between the Siret River and the Prut River. Two other rivers run through the county: the Bahlui River (on the banks of which lies the city of Iași) and the Jijia River.

Neighbours

 * Republic of Moldova to the east - Ungheni District.
 * Neamț County to the west.
 * Botoșani County and Suceava County to the northwest.
 * Vaslui County to the south.

Demographics
At the 2021 census Iași County had a population of 760,774. At the 2011 census, the county had a population of 772,348. According to the 2012 data provided by the County Population Register Service, the total registered population of the county was 873,662 people.

 * Romanians – 97.61%
 * Romani – 1.55%
 * Lipovans – 0.39%
 * Others – 0.3%

The population of Iași County nowadays is nearly double of what it was seventy years ago.

County government

The Iași County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 36 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Economy
This county is predominantly agricultural, due to its topography. Industry is concentrated in the cities. The principal industries are:
 * Software
 * Pharmaceuticals
 * Automotive
 * Metallurgy and heavy-equipment manufacturing
 * Electronics & Electrotechnics
 * Textiles
 * Food production

Tourism
The city of Iași is the most important city in Moldavia and one of the most important social, cultural and business centres in Romania. It has the oldest University in the country, and, until the formation of the United Principalities, it was the capital of Moldavia.

Some of the tourist destinations in the county:
 * City of Iași and its environs (the Seven hills of Iași);
 * Alexandru Ioan Cuza Memorial Palace in Ruginoasa;
 * Cucuteni - Neolithic archeological site;
 * Cotnari and Bohotin vineyards;
 * Museum of Vineyard and Wine in Hârlău;
 * Hadâmbu and Dobrovăț Monasteries;
 * Miclăușeni Castle and Monastery;
 * Vasile Alecsandri Memorial House in Mircești;
 * Constantin Negruzzi Museum in Hermeziu;
 * Cezar Petrescu Museum in Cotnari;
 * City of Pașcani, and towns of Târgu Frumos and Hârlău;
 * Strunga health resort.

Communities

Iași County has 2 municipalities, 3 towns, and 93 communes
 * Municipalities (as of 2021 census)
 * Iași - population: 271,692 (and 465,477 (as of 2014) in the urban area )
 * Pașcani - population: 30,766
 * Towns
 * Hârlău
 * Podu Iloaiei
 * Târgu Frumos

 * Communes
 * Alexandru Ioan Cuza
 * Andrieșeni
 * Aroneanu
 * Balș
 * Bălțați
 * Bârnova
 * Belcești
 * Bivolari
 * Brăești
 * Butea
 * Ceplenița
 * Ciohorăni
 * Ciortești
 * Ciurea
 * Coarnele Caprei
 * Comarna
 * Costești
 * Costuleni
 * Cotnari
 * Cozmești
 * Cristești
 * Cucuteni
 * Dagâța
 * Deleni
 * Dobrovăț
 * Dolhești
 * Drăgușeni
 * Dumești
 * Erbiceni
 * Fântânele
 * Focuri
 * Golăiești
 * Gorban
 * Grajduri
 * Gropnița
 * Grozești
 * Hălăucești
 * Hărmănești
 * Heleșteni
 * Holboca
 * Horlești
 * Ion Neculce
 * Ipatele
 * Lespezi
 * Lețcani
 * Lungani
 * Mădârjac
 * Mircești
 * Mironeasa
 * Miroslava
 * Miroslovești
 * Mogoșești
 * Mogoșești-Siret
 * Moșna
 * Moțca
 * Movileni
 * Oțeleni
 * Plugari
 * Popești
 * Popricani
 * Prisăcani
 * Probota
 * Răchiteni
 * Răducăneni
 * Rediu
 * Românești
 * Roșcani
 * Ruginoasa
 * Scânteia
 * Schitu Duca
 * Scobinți
 * Sinești
 * Sirețel
 * Stolniceni-Prăjescu
 * Strunga
 * Șcheia
 * Șipote
 * Tansa
 * Tătăruși
 * Țibana
 * Țibănești
 * Țigănași
 * Todirești
 * Tomești
 * Trifești
 * Țuțora
 * Ungheni
 * Valea Lupului
 * Valea Seacă
 * Vânători
 * Victoria
 * Vlădeni
 * Voinești

Historical county
The county was located in the northeastern part of Greater Romania, in the northeast of the region of Moldavia. Today, most of the territory of the former county is part of the current Iași County. In the eastern part of the county, the county included a part of the left bank of the Prut River, now in the territory of the Republic of Moldova. It was bordered to the north by the counties of Botoșani and Bălți, to the east by Lăpușna County, to the south by the counties of Fălciu and Vaslui, and to the west by the counties of Roman and Baia.

Administration
In 1938, the county was divided into six districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Bahlui, headquartered at Podu Iloaiei
 * 2) Plasa Plasa Cârligătura, headquartered at Târgu Frumos
 * 3) Plasa Plasa Codru, headquartered at Buciumii (at that time a commune, now Bucium District in the city of Iași)
 * 4) Plasa Copou, headquartered at Iași
 * 5) Plasa Turia, headquartered at Șipotele
 * 6) Plasa Ungheni, headquartered at Ungheni-Târg, now the city of Ungheni in the Republic of Moldova

Iași County included two urban localities: Iași (county seat) and urban commune Târgu Frumos, located at the western border of the county.

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 275,796 inhabitants, 81.6% Romanians, 14.6% Jews, 0.6% Russians, 0.5% Hungarians, 0.4% Germans, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the population was 82.0% Eastern Orthodox, 14.9% Jewish, 2.3% Roman Catholic, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 107,804 inhabitants, 102,872 in Iaşi and 4,932 in Târgu Frumos, comprising 60.8% Romanians, 33.6% Jews, 0.9% Germans, 0.9% Russians, as well as other minorities. In the urban area, languages were Romanian (72.5%), followed by Yiddish (22.2%), Russian (1.8%), German (0.9%), as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of Eastern Orthodox (61.4%), Jewish (34.4%), Roman Catholic (3.0%), as well as other minorities.

title: Iași County


text:
Gorj County

Gorj County is a county (județ) of Romania, in Oltenia, with its capital city at Târgu Jiu. Gorj comes from the Slavic Gor(no)-Jiu (“upper Jiu”), in contrast with Dolj (“lower Jiu”).

Demographics
At the 2011 census, the county had a population of 334,238 and its population density was 59.66 PD/km2. At the 2021 census, Gorj County had a population of 314,685.
 * Romanians – over 98%
 * Roma, others – c. 2%

Geography
Gorj County has a total area of 5602 km2.

The North side of the county consists of various mountains from the Southern Carpathians group. In the West there are the Vâlcan Mountains, and in the East there are the Parâng Mountains and the Negoveanu Mountains. The two groups are split by the Jiu River.

To the South, the heights decrease through the hills to a high plain at the Western end of the Wallachian Plain.

The main river, which collects all the smaller rivers, is the Jiu River; its tributaries include the Tismana, Gilort, and Motru rivers.

Neighbours

 * Vâlcea County to the east.
 * Mehedinți County and Caraș-Severin County to the west.
 * Hunedoara County to the north.
 * Dolj County to the south.

Economy
The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Mining equipment industry.
 * Food and beverages industry.
 * Textile industry.
 * Mechanical components industry.
 * Glass industry.
 * Wood industry.

In the North of the county, coal is extracted near Motru and Rovinari. There are two big thermo electrical power plants at Rovinari and Turceni, and some hydro-electrical power plants. The county is the biggest electricity producer in Romania, with 36% of the country's electricity.

Due to the decrease in mining activity, the county has one of the highest unemployment levels in the country.

Tourism
The main tourist destinations are:
 * The city and the area around Târgu Jiu:
 * The Constantin Brâncuși sculptural ensemble;
 * Tismana Monastery.
 * The Parâng Mountains.
 * Polovragi Monastery.

Politics
The Gorj County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions
Gorj County has 2 municipalities, 7 towns and 61 communes
 * Municipalities
 * Motru- population: 18,142 (as of 2011)
 * Târgu Jiu – capital city; population: 78,553 (as of 2011)

 * Towns
 * Bumbești-Jiu
 * Novaci
 * Rovinari
 * Târgu Cărbunești
 * Țicleni
 * Tismana
 * Turceni

 * Communes
 * Albeni
 * Alimpești
 * Aninoasa
 * Arcani
 * Baia de Fier
 * Bălănești
 * Bălești
 * Bărbătești
 * Bengești-Ciocadia
 * Berlești
 * Bâlteni
 * Bolboși
 * Borăscu
 * Brănești
 * Bumbești-Pițic
 * Bustuchin
 * Câlnic
 * Căpreni
 * Cătunele
 * Ciuperceni
 * Crasna
 * Crușeț
 * Dănciulești
 * Dănești
 * Drăgotești
 * Drăguțești
 * Fărcășești
 * Glogova
 * Godinești
 * Hurezani
 * Ionești
 * Jupânești
 * Lelești
 * Licurici
 * Logrești
 * Mătăsari
 * Mușetești
 * Negomir
 * Padeș
 * Peștișani
 * Plopșoru
 * Polovragi
 * Prigoria
 * Roșia de Amaradia
 * Runcu
 * Săcelu
 * Samarinești
 * Săulești
 * Schela
 * Scoarța
 * Slivilești
 * Stănești
 * Stejari
 * Stoina
 * Țânțăreni
 * Telești
 * Turburea
 * Turcinești
 * Urdari
 * Văgiulești
 * Vladimir

Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the southwestern part of Greater Romania, in the northern part of the historical region of Oltenia. Its capital was Târgu Jiu. The interwar county territory comprised a large part of the current Gorj County.

It was bordered to the west by Mehedinți County, to the north by the counties of Hunedoara and Sibiu, to the east by Vâlcea County, and to the south by Dolj County.

Administration
The county was originally divided into four administrative districts (plăși):

 * 1) Plasa Gilort, headquartered at Gilort
 * 2) Plasa Jiu, headquartered at Jiu
 * 3) Plasa Novaci, headquartered at Novaci
 * 4) Plasa Vulcana, headquartered at Vulcana

Subsequently, two more districts were established: Plasa Amaradia, headquartered at Amaradia Plasa Ocolu, headquartered at Ocolul

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 206,339 inhabitants, ethnically divided as follows: 97.9% Romanians, 1.7% Romanies, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the population was 99.6% Eastern Orthodox, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 13,030 inhabitants, comprising 90.0% Romanians, 4.6% Romanies, 1.1% Germans, 0.9% Hungarians, 0.8% Jews, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of 95.8% Eastern Orthodox, 2.2% Roman Catholic, 0.8% Jewish, as well as other minorities.

Industry
In the county capital of Târgu Jiu, there was a factory producing roof tiles as of 1931.

title: Gorj County


text:
BEF

BEF may refer to:

 * BEF (image format), High Dynamic Range imaging format
 * B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation)
 * Belgian franc, ISO 4217 currency code for the former currency of Belgium
 * Benfleet railway station (National Rail station code: BEF) in Essex, England
 * Bibliothèque des Ecoles françaises d'Athènes et de Rome
 * Binary entropy function
 * Bluefields Airport (IATA Code: BEF) in Bluefields, Nicaragua
 * Bonus Expeditionary Force
 * Bovine ephemeral fever
 * Brazilian Expeditionary Force
 * British Equestrian Federation
 * British Expeditionary Force (World War I)
 * British Expeditionary Force (World War II)

title: BEF


text:
Hunedoara County

Hunedoara County is a county (județ) of Romania, in Transylvania, with its capital city at Deva. The county is part of the Danube–Criș–Mureș–Tisa Euroregion.

Name
In Hungarian, it is known as Hunyad megye, in German as Kreis Hunedoara, and in Slovak as Huňadská župa. The county got its name from the city of Hunedoara (Vajdahunyad), which is the Romanian transliteration of the Hungarian Hunyadvár (lit. 'Castle of Hunyad', archaic: Hwnyadwar), old name of the municipality. That most likely originated from the Hungarian huny verb meaning 'to close' or 'to die', but may also come from wear the name of the Huns, who were headquartered near for a time and were the first to establish solid rule over the land since the Dacians.

Geography
This county has a total area of 7,063 km2.

Mainly, the relief is made up of mountains, divided by the Mureș River valley which crosses the county from East to West. To the North side there are the Apuseni Mountains and to the South side there are mountains from the Southern Carpathians group, Parâng Mountains group and Retezat-Godeanu Mountains group: Orastie and Surianu Mountains (South-East), Retezat Mountains (South), Poiana Ruscai Mountains (South-West).

Except from the Mureș River with its tributaries Strei, Râul Mare and Cerna which forms wide valleys, in the North side Crișul Alb River also forms a valley in the Apuseni Mountains - Zarand region. In the South side along the Jiu River with its two branches Jiul de Vest and Jiul de Est, there is a large depression, and an accessible route towards Southern Romania - Oltenia..

Neighbours

 * Alba County in the East and North.
 * Arad County, Timiș County and Caraș-Severin County in the West.
 * Gorj County in the South.

Economy
Hunedoara County was one of the most industrialised areas during the communist period, and was very negatively affected when the industry collapsed after the fall of the communist regime.

The industry in the Hunedoara county is linked with the mining activity in the region. In the mountains, from ancient times, metals and coal have been exploited. Nowadays, there is one large industrial complex at Hunedoara owned by Mittal Steel. Also energy related enterprises are located in the county - one of the biggest thermoelectric plant is located at Mintia.

The Jiu Valley, located in the south of the country, has been a major mining area throughout the second half of the 19th century and the 20th century, but many mines were closed down in the years following the collapse of the communist regime.

The city of Hunedoara has also suffered significantly from the 1990s onwards - under communism it contained the largest steel works in Romania (until Galați took the lead), but activity gradually diminished after the fall of communism due to the loss of the market. This was a blow to the overall prosperity of the town, which is now recovering through new investments.

Agricultural activities also take place in Hunedoara county, which include livestock raising, and fruit and cereal cultivation. The county also has touristic potential, especially through the Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains and the Corvin Castle.

The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Metallurgy.
 * Construction materials.
 * Textile industry.
 * Mining equipment.
 * Food industry.

In the 1990s, a large number of mines were closed down, leaving Hunedoara county with the highest unemployment rate in Romania, of 9.6%, in comparison to the national average of 5.5%.

Tourism

Retezat National Park and other picturesque regions makes it one of the most beautiful counties in Romania. Also there can be found Dacian and Roman complexes in the Orăştie Mountains.

The main tourist attractions in the county are:
 * The Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains - nowadays part of UNESCO World Heritage.
 * Colonia Augusta Ulpia Traiana Dacica Sarmizegetusa - the capital of the Roman province of Dacia.
 * The medieval edifices of Densuș, Deva, Hunedoara, Santămaria-Orlea, Strei.
 * The Medieval Castle from Hunedoara
 * The Medieval Guard Tower from Crivadia
 * The Via Transilvanica long-distance hiking and biking trail, which crosses the county

Demographics
According to the 2021 census, the county had a population of 361,657 and the population density was.

The population of Hunedoara county is the second eldest of all Romanian counties, with an average age of the residents of 45.5 years, only behind Teleorman County (46.3 years). Hunedoara's Jiu River Valley is traditionally a coal-mining region, and its high level of industrialisation drew many people from other regions of Romania in the period before the fall of the communist regime.

Politics
The Hunedoara County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions
Hunedoara County has 7 municipalities, 7 towns and 55 communes. Although Hunedoara County is the most urbanized county in Romania (75% of the population is urban - in 2011) it does not contain any city of more than 100,000 people. Also, following the de-industrialization after the communism fall, the major urban centres in the county, particularly Hunedoara and Petroșani, suffered significant population decline.

 * Municipalities
 * Brad - population: 12,690
 * Deva - capital city; population: 53,113
 * Hunedoara - population: 50,457
 * Lupeni - population: 18,699
 * Orăștie - population: 16,825
 * Petroșani - population: 31,044
 * Vulcan - population: 19,772
 * Towns
 * Aninoasa
 * Călan
 * Geoagiu
 * Hațeg
 * Petrila
 * Simeria
 * Uricani

 * Communes
 * Baia de Criș
 * Balșa
 * Bănița
 * Baru
 * Băcia
 * Băița
 * Bătrâna
 * Beriu
 * Blăjeni
 * Boșorod
 * Brănișca
 * Bretea Română
 * Buceș
 * Bucureșci
 * Bulzeștii de Sus
 * Bunila
 * Burjuc
 * Cerbăl
 * Certeju de Sus
 * Cârjiți
 * Crișcior
 * Densuș
 * Dobra
 * General Berthelot
 * Ghelari
 * Gurasada
 * Hărău
 * Ilia
 * Lăpugiu de Jos
 * Lelese
 * Lunca Cernii de Jos
 * Luncoiu de Jos
 * Mărtinești
 * Orăștioara de Sus
 * Pestișu Mic
 * Pui
 * Rapoltu Mare
 * Răchitova
 * Ribița
 * Râu de Mori
 * Romos
 * Sarmizegetusa
 * Sălașu de Sus
 * Sântămăria-Orlea
 * Șoimuș
 * Teliucu Inferior
 * Tomești
 * Toplița
 * Totești
 * Turdaș
 * Vața de Jos
 * Vălișoara
 * Vețel
 * Vorța
 * Zam

Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the central-western part of Greater Romania, in the southwestern part of Transylvania. It included a large part of the present Hunedoara County.

After the administrative unification law in 1925, the name of county remained as it was, but the territory was reorganized. It was bordered on the west by the counties of Severin and Arad, to the north by Turda County, to the east by the counties of Sibiu and Alba, and to the south by the counties of Gorj and Mehedinți.

Administration

The county originally consisted of ten districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Avram Iancu, headquartered at Avram Iancu
 * 2) Plasa Brad, headquartered at Brad
 * 3) Plasa Deva, headquartered at Deva
 * 4) Plasa Geoagiu, headquartered at Geoagiu
 * 5) Plasa Hațeg, headquartered at Hațeg
 * 6) Plasa Hunedoara, headquartered at Hunedoara
 * 7) Plasa Ilia, headquartered at Ilia
 * 8) Plasa Orăștie, headquartered at Orăștie
 * 9) Plasa Petroșani, headquartered at Petroșani
 * 10) Plasa Pui, headquartered at Pui

Subsequently, two other districts were established: Plasa Dobra, headquartered at Dobra Plasa Sarmizegetusa, headquartered at Sarmizegetusa

Population
According to the census data of 1930, the county's population was 332,118, of which 82.0% were Romanians, 11.3% Hungarians, 2.5% Germans, 1.5% Romanies, 1.4% Jews, as well as other minorities. In the religious aspect, the population consisted of 64.2% Eastern Orthodox, 18.5% Greek Catholic, 9.1% Roman Catholic, 4.5% Reformed, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the urban population of the county was 41,234, of which 52.8% were Romanians, 30.4% Hungarians, 6.7% Germans, 6.6% Jews, 1.6% Romanies, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was made up of 42.0% Eastern Orthodox, 25.7% Roman Catholic, 10.5% Greek Catholic, 9.9% Reformed, 6.9% Jewish, 3.5% Lutheran, 1.0% Unitarian, as well as other minorities.

title: Hunedoara County


text:
Arad County

Arad County is an administrative division (județ) of Romania roughly translated into county in the western part of the country on the border with Hungary, mostly in the region of Crișana and few villages in Banat. The administrative center of the county lies in the city of Arad. The Arad County is part of the Danube–Criș–Mureș–Tisa Euroregion.

Name
In Hungarian, it is known as Arad megye, in Serbian as Арадски округ, and in German as Kreis Arad. The county was named after its administrative center, Arad.

Geography
The county has a total area of 7,754 km2, representing 3.6% of national Romanian territory. The terrain of Arad County is divided into two distinct units that cover almost half of the county each. The eastern side of the county has a hilly to low mountainous terrain (Dealurile Lipovei, Munții Zărandului, Munții Codru Moma) and on the western side it's a plain zone consisting of the Arad Plain, Low Mures Plain, and The High Vinga Plain. Taking altitude into account we notice that it follows a stepped pattern as it drops as we go from the east to the west of the county from 1489 m to below 100 m. In the east there are the Zarand Mountains and the Codru Moma Mountains, all subdivisions of the Apuseni Mountains, a major group of the Western Carpathians.

Neighbours

 * Alba County and Hunedoara County to the East.
 * Hungary to the West - Békés and Csongrád Counties.
 * Bihor County to the North.
 * Timiș County to the South.

Climate and precipitation
In terms of climate, the characteristics of Arad county have a typical temperate continental climate with oceanic influences, with a circulation of air masses with a predominantly western ordered direction visible from west to east, with increasing altitude. Average annual temperatures range from 10 °C in the lowlands, the hills and piedmonts 9 °C, 8 °C and 6 °C in the low mountains in the area of greatest height. Average amounts of precipitation is between 565 and 600 mm annually in the lowlands, 700 and 800 mm annually in the hills and piedmonts and 800 and 1200 mm annually in the mountainous area.

Hydrographic network
The hydrographic network is composed of the two main rivers plus their tributaries and channels.
 * Mureș - Corbeasca, Troaș, Bârzava, Milova, Cladova
 * Crișul Alb - Hălmăgel, Valea de la Lazuri, Tăcășele, Cremenoasa, Zimbru, Valea Deznei, Valea Monesei, Tălagiu, Honțisor, Chisindia, Cigher

Lakes, ponds and channels

 * Tauț, Seleuș, Cermei, Rovine, Matca (Ghioroc) Lakes and Gypsy Pond
 * Matca, Canalul Morilor, Canalul Morilor, Ier, Criș Channels

Economy
Along with Timiș County it forms one of the most developed regions in Romania. Due to its proximity to the border, it attracts a great number of foreign investments. The agricultural potential is greatly put into value, Arad plains being considered one of the most important cereal and vegetable producing basins.

The predominant industries in the county are: Natural resources in Arad, are worthy to be taken into account as there are oil and associated gases, points of extraction in the west of the county, molibden mines in the Săvârșin area, marble quarries at Căprioara and Moneasa, mineral waters at Lipova, Moneasa, Dorobanți, Curtici, Macea and uranium deposits in the NE part of the county.
 * Machine and automotive components
 * Food
 * Textiles

Tourism
The main tourist destinations are:

 * The city of Arad;
 * The Mureș Natural Floodplain Park;
 * Bezdin Monastery;
 * Hodoș-Bodrog Monastery (est. 1177);
 * Lipova resort and city;
 * Șoimoș, Dezna, and Șiria stone citadels;
 * Moneasa resort;
 * The areas around Săvârșin, Petriș, Macea, and Pecica.

Demographics
According to the 2021 census, the county had a population of 410,143 and the population density was.

Politics
The Arad County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions
Arad County has 1 municipality, 9 towns and 68 communes with approximately 180 villages.
 * Municipalities
 * Arad - capital city; population: 172,827 (as of 2002)
 * Towns

 * Chișineu-Criș
 * Curtici
 * Ineu
 * Lipova
 * Nădlac
 * Pâncota
 * Pecica
 * Sântana
 * Sebiș

 * Communes

 * Almaș
 * Apateu
 * Archiș
 * Bata
 * Bârsa
 * Bârzava
 * Beliu
 * Birchiș
 * Bocsig
 * Brazii
 * Buteni
 * Cărand
 * Cermei
 * Chisindia
 * Conop
 * Covăsânț
 * Craiva
 * Dezna
 * Dieci
 * Dorobanți
 * Fântânele
 * Felnac
 * Frumușeni
 * Ghioroc
 * Grăniceri
 * Gurahonț
 * Hălmagiu
 * Hălmăgel
 * Hășmaș
 * Ignești
 * Iratoșu
 * Livada
 * Macea
 * Mișca
 * Moneasa
 * Olari
 * Păuliș
 * Peregu Mare
 * Petriș
 * Pilu
 * Pleșcuța
 * Săvârșin
 * Secusigiu
 * Seleuș
 * Semlac
 * Sintea Mare
 * Socodor
 * Șagu
 * Șeitin
 * Șepreuș
 * Șicula
 * Șilindia
 * Șimand
 * Șiria
 * Șiștarovăț
 * Șofronea
 * Tauț
 * Târnova
 * Ususău
 * Vărădia de Mureș
 * Vârfurile
 * Vinga
 * Vladimirescu
 * Zăbrani
 * Zădăreni
 * Zărand
 * Zerind
 * Zimandu Nou

Administration
In 1930, the county was divided into nine districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Aradul-Nou (comprising 22 villages)
 * 2) Plasa Chișineu-Criș (comprising 19 villages)
 * 3) Plasa Hălmagiu (comprising 45 villages)
 * 4) Plasa Ineu (comprising 15 villages)
 * 5) Plasa Pecica (comprising 12 villages)
 * 6) Plasa Sfânta Ana (comprising 13 villages)
 * 7) Plasa Sebiș (comprising 37 villages)
 * 8) Plasa Șiria (comprising 11 villages)
 * 9) Plasa Radna (comprising 36 villages)

Subsequently, a tenth district was established having been carved out of Plasa Ineu: Plasa Târnova (comprising 16 villages)

Administration was re-organized in 1947, comprising 13 districts:
 * 1) Plasa Aradul-Nou
 * 2) Plasa Chișineu-Criș
 * 3) Plasa Curtici
 * 4) Plasa Gurahonț
 * 5) Plasa Hălmagiu
 * 6) Plasa Ineu
 * 7) Plasa Pecica
 * 8) Plasa Radna
 * 9) Plasa Săvârșin
 * 10) Plasa Sebiș
 * 11) Plasa Sfânta Ana
 * 12) Plasa Șiria
 * 13) Plasa Târnova

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 423,469 inhabitants, 61.0% Romanians, 19.5% Hungarians, 12.3% Germans (Banat Swabians), 2.8% Slovaks, 2.1% Jews, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, 55.8% declared Eastern Orthodox, 26.5% Roman Catholic, 5.5% Reformed, 4.2% Greek Catholic, 3.2% Lutherans, 2.4% Jewish, 1% Baptists, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 77,181 inhabitants, 39.3% Romanians, 38.8% Hungarians, 9.1% Jews, 7.1% Germans (Banat Swabians), 1.7% Serbs and Croats, 1.4% Slovaks, as well as other minorities. In the urban area, languages were Hungarian (53.3%), Romanian (37.0%), German (6.0%), Serbian (1.4%), Yiddish (0.9%), as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of Roman Catholics (38.5%), Eastern Orthodox (33.8%), Jewish (10.1%), Reformed (9.9%), Greek Catholics (4.0%), Lutherans (2.6%), as well as other minorities.

Industry
The county's capital, Arad, was the location of Romania's first automotive factory. During the 1920s, Astra cars and commercial vehicles were made at Arad. ASTRA Arad manufactured automobiles from 1922 to 1926. The factory had an output of 2 automobiles per working day as of 1922.

title: Arad County


text:
Ialomița County

Ialomița County is a county (județ) of Romania, in Muntenia, with the capital city at Slobozia.

Demographics
In 2011, the county had a population of 258,669 and the population density was 58.08/km2.

Romanians make up 95.6% of the population, the largest minority being the Romani people (4.1%).

Geography
Ialomița County has a total area of 4453 km2. The county is situated in the Bărăgan Plain. The area is flat crossed by small rivers with small but deep valleys.

Its eastern border is on the Danube. The Ialomița River crosses the county from West to East about the middle. The Danube is split around the Ialomița Pond into the Old Danube branch and the Borcea branch.

Until 1940 (in the western part) and 1967 (in the eastern part) the county/plain was home of the great bustard (dropie in Romanian), with large populations of this bird. The birds disappeared because of the massive village buildout and hunting them for food.

Neighbours

 * Constanța County in the East.
 * Ilfov County in the West.
 * Brăila County, Buzău County, and Prahova County in the North.
 * Călărași County in the South.

Economy
Agriculture is the main occupation in the county. Industry is almost entirely concentrated in the city of Slobozia.

The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Food industry.
 * Textile industry.
 * Mechanical components industry.

Tourism
The main tourist destinations are:
 * The city of Slobozia.

Politics
The Ialomița County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 30 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions

Ialomița County has 3 municipalities, 4 towns and 59 communes.
 * Municipalities
 * Fetești - population: 27,122 (as of 2011)
 * Slobozia - capital city; population: 43,061 (as of 2011)
 * Urziceni - population: 14,053 (as of 2011)
 * Towns
 * Amara
 * Căzănești
 * Fierbinți-Târg
 * Țăndărei

 * Communes
 * Adâncata
 * Albești
 * Alexeni
 * Andrășești
 * Armășești
 * Axintele
 * Balaciu
 * Bărcănești
 * Bărbulești
 * Borănești
 * Bordușani
 * Bucu
 * Buești
 * Ciocârlia
 * Ciochina
 * Ciulnița
 * Cocora
 * Colelia
 * Cosâmbești
 * Coșereni
 * Drăgoești
 * Dridu
 * Făcăeni
 * Gârbovi
 * Gheorghe Doja
 * Gheorghe Lazăr
 * Giurgeni
 * Grindu
 * Grivița
 * Gura Ialomiței
 * Ion Roată
 * Jilavele
 * Maia
 * Manasia
 * Mărculești
 * Mihail Kogălniceanu
 * Miloșești
 * Moldoveni
 * Movila
 * Movilița
 * Munteni-Buzău
 * Ograda
 * Perieți
 * Platonești
 * Rădulești
 * Reviga
 * Roșiori
 * Sălcioara
 * Sărățeni
 * Săveni
 * Scânteia
 * Sfântu Gheorghe
 * Sinești
 * Stelnica
 * Sudiți
 * Traian
 * Valea Ciorii
 * Valea Măcrișului
 * Vlădeni

Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the southeastern part of Greater Romania, in the southeastern part of the historical region of Muntenia. The county comprised a large part of the current Ialomița County and of today's Călărași County. It was bordered to the west by Ilfov County, to the north by the counties of Prahova, Buzău and Brăila, to the east by Constanța County, and in the south by Durostor County.

With an area of 7095 sqkm, Ialomița County was one of the largest counties of Greater Romania.

Administration
The county was originally divided administratively into five districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Călărași, headquartered at Călărași
 * 2) Plasa Lehliu, headquartered at Lehliu
 * 3) Plasa Slobozia, headquartered at Slobozia
 * 4) Plasa Țăndărei, headquartered at Țăndărei
 * 5) Plasa Urziceni, headquartered at Urziceni

Subsequently, three new districts were added: Plasa Căzănești, headquartered at Căzănești Plasa Dragoș Vodă, headquartered at Dragoș Vodă Plasa Fetești, headquartered at Fetești

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 293,352 inhabitants, ethnically divided as follows: 96.6% Romanians, 2.5% Romanies, 0.2% Jews, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the population was 99.3% Eastern Orthodox, 0.2% Jewish, 0.1% Roman Catholic, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 34,260 inhabitants, comprising 90.2% Romanians, 6.0% Romnanies, 1.3% Jews, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of 97.4% Eastern Orthodox, 1.4% Jewish, 0.5% Roman Catholic, as well as other minorities.

title: Ialomița County


text:
Prahova County

Prahova County is a county (județ) of Romania, in the historical region Muntenia, with the capital city at Ploiești.

Demographics
In 2011, it had a population of 762,886 and the population density was 161/km2. It is Romania's third most populated county (after the Municipality of Bucharest and Iași County), having a population density double that of the country's mean.

 * Romanians - 97.74%
 * Romas and others - 2.26%

The county received an inflow of population who have moved here due to the industrial development.

Geography
This county has a total area of 4,716 km2.

The relief is split in approximately equal parts between the mountains, the hills and the plain. In the North side there are mountains from the southern end of the Eastern Carpathians - the Curvature Carpathians group; and the Bucegi Mountains the Eastern end of the Southern Carpathians group. The two groups are separated by the Prahova River Valley.

The south side of the county is a plain, on the North West side of the Romanian Plain.

The main river is the eponymous Prahova River. It flows from the mountains, through the Prahova Valley collecting many other rivers - the Doftana River, the Teleajen River and others.

Neighbours

 * Buzău County in the East.
 * Dâmbovița County in the West.
 * Brașov County in the North.
 * Ialomița County and Ilfov County in the South.

Economy
The area contains the main oil reserves in Romania, with a longstanding tradition in extracting and refining the oil. The county is heavily industrialised, with over 115,000 residents working in industrial environments. It contributes to over 8% of the country's industrial production. Some of the biggest international corporations like Coca-Cola, Unilever, InBev, Johnson Controls, Cameron, Weatherford, Michelin, Timken and others have invested heavily in the recent years.

The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Oil industry - almost 50% of the county's industrial production.
 * Oil extracting equipment.
 * Chemical industry.
 * Rubber industry.
 * Mechanical components industry.
 * Food and beverages industry.
 * Textile industry.

Agriculture is also developed — in the southern part mainly extensive agriculture and the hills area is well suited for wines and fruit orchards. In total it realises about 3% of the country's agricultural production.

Tourism
The Prahova Valley is one of the areas with the highest tourist potential in the country having one of the best tourism facilities in Romania.

The main tourist destinations are:
 * On the Prahova Valley:
 * The Sinaia Resort.
 * The Bușteni Resort.
 * The Azuga Resort.
 * The Bucegi Mountains.
 * On the Teleajen River Valley:
 * The Vălenii de Munte Resort.
 * Cheia.
 * Slănic.
 * The Zăganul Mountains
 * The Ciucaș Mountains.
 * On the Doftana River Valley:
 * The Telega Resort.
 * Valea Doftanei.
 * The Gârbova Mountains.
 * The city of Ploiești.
 * The city of Câmpina.

Politics
The Prahova County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 36 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions
Prahova County has 2 municipalities, 12 towns and 90 communes Municipalities
 * Câmpina - population: 32,935 (as of 2011)
 * Ploiești - capital city; population: 209,945 (as of 2011)

Towns

 * Azuga
 * Băicoi
 * Boldești-Scăeni
 * Breaza
 * Bușteni
 * Comarnic
 * Mizil
 * Plopeni
 * Sinaia
 * Slănic
 * Urlați
 * Vălenii de Munte

Communes

 * Adunați
 * Albești-Paleologu
 * Aluniș
 * Apostolache
 * Ariceștii Rahtivani
 * Ariceștii Zeletin
 * Baba Ana
 * Balta Doamnei
 * Bălțești
 * Bănești
 * Bărcănești
 * Bătrâni
 * Berceni
 * Bertea
 * Blejoi
 * Boldești-Grădiștea
 * Brazi
 * Brebu
 * Bucov
 * Călugăreni
 * Cărbunești
 * Ceptura
 * Cerașu
 * Chiojdeanca
 * Ciorani
 * Cocorăștii Mislii
 * Cocorăștii Colț
 * Colceag
 * Cornu
 * Cosminele
 * Drăgănești
 * Drajna
 * Dumbrava
 * Dumbrăvești
 * Filipeștii de Pădure
 * Filipeștii de Târg
 * Fântânele
 * Florești
 * Fulga
 * Gherghița
 * Gorgota
 * Gornet
 * Gornet-Cricov
 * Gura Vadului
 * Gura Vitioarei
 * Iordăcheanu
 * Izvoarele
 * Jugureni
 * Lapoș
 * Lipănești
 * Măgurele
 * Măgureni
 * Măneciu
 * Mănești
 * Olari
 * Păcureți
 * Păulești
 * Plopu
 * Podenii Noi
 * Poiana Câmpina
 * Poienarii Burchii
 * Posești
 * Predeal-Sărari
 * Provița de Jos
 * Provița de Sus
 * Puchenii Mari
 * Râfov
 * Salcia
 * Sălciile
 * Scorțeni
 * Secăria
 * Sângeru
 * Șirna
 * Șoimari
 * Șotrile
 * Starchiojd
 * Ștefești
 * Surani
 * Talea
 * Tătaru
 * Teișani
 * Telega
 * Tinosu
 * Târgșoru Vechi
 * Tomșani
 * Vadu Săpat
 * Valea Călugărească
 * Valea Doftanei
 * Vărbilău
 * Vâlcănești

Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the south central part of Greater Romania, in the central part of the historical region of Muntenia. Its capital was Ploiești (then spelt Ploești). The interwar county territory comprised a large part of the current Prahova County, except the town of Mizil and several nearby villages that were then in Buzău County. In addition to the current county's territory, the interwar county contained several communes in its western part (including Dărmănești, I.L. Caragiale, and Moreni), currently in Dâmbovița County, and some territory northwest of Predeal, now in Brașov County.

Administration
The county was originally divided into seven administrative districts (plăși):

 * 1) Plasa Câmpina, headquartered at Câmpina
 * 2) Plasa Drăgănești, headquartered at Drăgănești
 * 3) Plasa Filipești, headquartered at Filipești
 * 4) Plasa Ploiești, headquartered at Ploești
 * 5) Plasa Sinaia, headquartered at Sinaia
 * 6) Plasa Urlați, headquartered at Urlați
 * 7) Plasa Văleni, headquartered at Văleni

Subsequently, the county established three more districts: Plasa Câmpu, headquartered at Câmpu Plasa Podgoria, headquartered at Podgoria Plasa Vărbilău, headquartered at Vărbilău

Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 477,750 inhabitants, ethnically divided as follows: 95.0% Romanians, 1.5% Gypsies, 0.9% Jews, 0.8% Hungarians, 0.7% Germans, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the population was 96.0% Eastern Orthodox, 1.2% Roman Catholic, 1.0% Jewish, 0.6% Lutherans, 0.5% Greek Catholic, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 105,098 inhabitants, comprising 88.8% Romanians, 3.5% Jews, 1.9% Hungarians, 1.7% Germans, 1.4% Romanies, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of 89.2% Eastern Orthodox, 3.6% Jewish, 3.3% Roman Catholic, 1.5% Lutheran, 1.3% Greek Catholic, 0.6% Reformed, as well as other minorities.

title: Prahova County


text:
Wildcat

The wildcat is a species complex comprising two small wild cat species: the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the African wildcat (F. lybica). The European wildcat inhabits forests in Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus, while the African wildcat inhabits semi-arid landscapes and steppes in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, into western India and western China. The wildcat species differ in fur pattern, tail, and size: the European wildcat has long fur and a bushy tail with a rounded tip; the smaller African wildcat is more faintly striped, has short sandy-gray fur and a tapering tail; the Asiatic wildcat (F. lybica ornata) is spotted.

The wildcat and the other members of the cat family had a common ancestor about 10–15 million years ago. The European wildcat evolved during the Cromerian Stage about 866,000 to 478,000 years ago; its direct ancestor was Felis lunensis. The silvestris and lybica lineages probably diverged about 173,000 years ago.

The wildcat is categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2002, since it is widely distributed in a stable global population exceeding 20,000 mature individuals. Some local populations are threatened by introgressive hybridisation with the domestic cat (F. catus), contagious disease, vehicle collisions and persecution.

The association of African wildcats and humans appears to have developed along with the establishment of settlements during the Neolithic Revolution, when rodents in grain stores of early farmers attracted wildcats. This association ultimately led to it being tamed and domesticated: the domestic cat is the direct descendant of the African wildcat. It was one of the revered cats in ancient Egypt. The European wildcat has been the subject of mythology and literature.

Taxonomy
Felis (catus) silvestris was the scientific name used in 1777 by Johann von Schreber when he described the European wildcat based on descriptions and names proposed by earlier naturalists such as Mathurin Jacques Brisson, Ulisse Aldrovandi and Conrad Gessner. Felis lybica was the name proposed in 1780 by Georg Forster, who described an African wildcat from Gafsa on the Barbary Coast.

In subsequent decades, several naturalists and explorers described 40 wildcat specimens collected in European, African and Asian range countries. In the 1940s, the taxonomist Reginald Innes Pocock reviewed the collection of wildcat skins and skulls in the Natural History Museum, London, and designated seven F. silvestris subspecies from Europe to Asia Minor, and 25 F. lybica subspecies from Africa, and West to Central Asia. Pocock differentiated the: In 2005, 22 subspecies were recognized by the authors of Mammal Species of the World, who allocated subspecies largely in line with Pocock's assessment.
 * Forest wildcat subspecies (silvestris group)
 * Steppe wildcat subspecies (ornata-caudata group): is distinguished from the forest wildcat by being smaller, with comparatively lighter fur colour, and longer and more sharply-pointed tails. The domestic cat is thought to have derived from this group.
 * Bush wildcat subspecies (ornata-lybica group): is distinguished from the steppe wildcat by paler fur, well-developed spot patterns and bands.

In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force revised the taxonomy of the Felidae, and recognized the following as valid taxa:

Evolution
The wildcat is a member of the Felidae, a family that had a common ancestor about 10–15 million years ago. Felis species diverged from the Felidae around 6–7 million years ago. The European wildcat diverged from Felis about 1.09 to 1.4 million years ago.

The European wildcat's direct ancestor was Felis lunensis, which lived in Europe in the late Pliocene and Villafranchian periods. Fossil remains indicate that the transition from lunensis to silvestris was completed by the Holstein interglacial about 340,000 to 325,000 years ago.

Craniological differences between the European and African wildcats indicate that the wildcat probably migrated during the Late Pleistocene from Europe into the Middle East, giving rise to the steppe wildcat phenotype. Phylogenetic research revealed that the lybica lineage probably diverged from the silvestris lineage about 173,000 years ago.

Characteristics
The wildcat has pointed ears, which are moderate in length and broad at the base. Its whiskers are white, number 7 to 16 on each side and reach 5 - 8 cm in length on the muzzle. Whiskers are also present on the inner surface of the paw and measure 3 - 4 cm. Its eyes are large, with vertical pupils and yellowish-green irises. The eyelashes range from 5 - 6 cm in length, and can number six to eight per side.

The European wildcat has a greater skull volume than the domestic cat, a ratio known as Schauenberg's index. Further, its skull is more spherical in shape than that of the jungle cat (F. chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). Its dentition is relatively smaller and weaker than the jungle cat's.

Both wildcat species are larger than the domestic cat. The European wildcat has relatively longer legs and a more robust build compared to the domestic cat. The tail is long, and usually slightly exceeds one-half of the animal's body length. The species size varies according to Bergmann's rule, with the largest specimens occurring in cool, northern areas of Europe and Asia such as Mongolia, Manchuria and Siberia. Males measure 43 - 91 cm in head to body length, 23 - 40 cm in tail length, and normally weigh 5 - 8 kg. Females are slightly smaller, measuring 40 - 77 cm in body length and 18 - 35 cm in tail length, and weighing 3 - 5 kg.

Both sexes have two thoracic and two abdominal teats. Both sexes have pre-anal glands, consisting of moderately sized sweat and sebaceous glands around the anal opening. Large-sized sebaceous and scent glands extend along the full length of the tail on the dorsal side. Male wildcats have pre-anal pockets on the tail, activated upon reaching sexual maturity, play a significant role in reproduction and territorial marking.

Distribution and habitat
The European wildcat inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus. In the Iberian peninsula, it occurs from sea level to 2250 m in the Pyrenees. Between the late 17th and mid 20th centuries, its European range became fragmented due to large-scale hunting and regional extirpation. It is possibly extinct in the Czech Republic, and considered regionally extinct in Austria, though vagrants from Italy are spreading into Austria. It has never inhabited Fennoscandia or Estonia. Sicily is the only island in the Mediterranean Sea with a native wildcat population.

The African wildcat lives in a wide range of habitats except rainforest, but throughout the savannahs of Africa from Mauritania on the Atlantic coast eastward to the Horn of Africa up to altitudes of 3000 m. Small populations live in the Sahara and Nubian Deserts, Karoo region, Kalahari and Namib Deserts. It occurs around the Arabian Peninsula's periphery to the Caspian Sea, encompassing Mesopotamia, Israel and Palestine region. In Central Asia, it ranges into Xinjiang and southern Mongolia, and in South Asia into the Thar Desert and arid regions in India.

Behaviour and ecology
Both wildcat species are largely nocturnal and solitary, except during the breeding period and when females have young. The size of home ranges of females and males varies according to terrain, the availability of food, habitat quality and the age structure of the population. Male and female home ranges overlap, though core areas within territories are avoided by other cats. Females tend to be more sedentary than males, as they require an exclusive hunting area when raising kittens. Wildcats usually spend the day in a hollow tree, a rock crevice or in dense thickets. It is also reported to shelter in abandoned burrows of other species such as of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and in European badger (Meles meles) setts in Europe, and of fennec (Vulpes zerda) in Africa.

When threatened, it retreats into a burrow, rather than climb trees. When taking residence in a tree hollow, it selects one low to the ground. Dens in rocks or burrows are lined with dry grasses and bird feathers. Dens in tree hollows usually contain enough sawdust to make lining unnecessary. If the den becomes infested with fleas, the wildcat shifts to another den. During winter, when snowfall prevents the European wildcat from travelling long distances, it remains within its den until travel conditions improve.

Territorial marking consists of spraying urine on trees, vegetation and rocks, depositing faeces in conspicuous places, and leaving scent marks through glands in its paws. It also leaves visual marks by scratching trees.

Hunting and prey
Sight and hearing are the wildcat's primary senses when hunting. It lies in wait for prey, then catches it by executing a few leaps, which can span three metres. When hunting near water courses, it waits on trees overhanging the water. It kills small prey by grabbing it in its claws, and piercing the neck or occiput with its fangs. When attacking large prey, it leaps upon the animal's back, and attempts to bite the neck or carotid. It does not persist in attacking if prey manages to escape.

The European wildcat primarily preys on small mammals such as European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and rodents. It also preys on dormice, hares, nutria (Myocastor coypus) and birds, especially ducks and other waterfowl, galliformes, pigeons and passerines. It can consume large bone fragments. Although it kills insectivores such as moles and shrews, it rarely eats them. When living close to human settlements, it preys on poultry. In the wild, it consumes up to 600 g of food daily.

The African wildcat preys foremost on murids, to a lesser extent also on birds, small reptiles and invertebrates.

Reproduction and development
The wildcat has two estrus periods, one in December–February and another in May–July. Estrus lasts 5–9 days, with a gestation period lasting 60–68 days. Ovulation is induced through copulation. Spermatogenesis occurs throughout the year. During the mating season, males fight viciously, and may congregate around a single female. There are records of male and female wildcats becoming temporarily monogamous. Kittens are usually born between April and May, and up to August. Litter size ranges from 1–7 kittens.

Kittens are born with closed eyes and are covered in a fuzzy coat. They weigh 65 - 163 g at birth, and kittens under 90 g usually do not survive. They are born with pink paw pads, which blacken at the age of three months, and blue eyes, which turn amber after five months. Their eyes open after 9–12 days, and their incisors erupt after 14–30 days. The kittens' milk teeth are replaced by their permanent dentition at the age of 160–240 days. The kittens start hunting with their mother at the age of 60 days, and start moving independently after 140–150 days. Lactation lasts 3–4 months, though the kittens eat meat as early as 1.5 months of age. Sexual maturity is attained at the age of 300 days. Similarly to the domestic cat, the physical development of African wildcat kittens over the first two weeks of their lives is much faster than that of European wildcats. The kittens are largely fully grown by 10 months, though skeletal growth continues for over 18–19 months. The family dissolves after roughly five months, and the kittens disperse to establish their own territories. Their maximum life span is 21 years, though they usually live up to 13–14 years.

Generation length of the wildcat is about eight years.

Predators and competitors
Because of its habit of living in areas with rocks and tall trees for refuge, dense thickets and abandoned burrows, wildcats have few natural predators. In Central Europe, many kittens are killed by European pine marten (Martes martes), and there is at least one account of an adult wildcat being killed and eaten. Competitors include the golden jackal (Canis aureus), red fox, marten, and other predators. In the steppe regions of Europe and Asia, village dogs constitute serious enemies of wildcats, along with the much larger Eurasian lynx, one of the rare habitual predators of healthy adult wildcats. In Tajikistan, the grey wolf (Canis lupus) is the most serious competitor, having been observed to destroy cat burrows. Birds of prey, including Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) and saker falcon (Falco cherrug), have been recorded to kill wildcat kittens. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) are known to hunt both adults and kittens. Seton Gordon recorded an instance where a wildcat fought a golden eagle, resulting in the deaths of both combatants. In Africa, wildcats are occasionally killed and eaten by Central African rock python (Python sebae) and martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus).

Threats
Wildcat populations are foremost threatened by hybridization with the domestic cat. Mortality due to traffic accidents is a threat especially in Europe. The wildcat population in Scotland has declined since the turn of the 20th century due to habitat loss and persecution by landowners.

In the former Soviet Union, wildcats were caught accidentally in traps set for European pine marten. In modern times, they are caught in unbaited traps on pathways or at abandoned trails of red fox, European badger, European hare or pheasant. One method of catching wildcats consists of using a modified muskrat trap with a spring placed in a concealed pit. A scent trail of pheasant viscera leads the cat to the pit. Wildcat skins were of little commercial value and sometimes converted into imitation sealskin; the fur usually fetched between 50 and 60 kopecks. Wildcat skins were almost solely used for making cheap scarfs, muffs and coats for ladies.

Conservation
Wildcat species are protected in most range countries and listed in CITES Appendix II. The European wildcat is also listed in Appendix II of the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and in the European Union's Habitats and Species Directive. Conservation Action Plans have been developed in Germany and Scotland.

Domestication
An African wildcat skeleton excavated in a 9,500-year-old Neolithic grave in Cyprus is the earliest known indication for a close relationship between a human and a possibly tamed cat. As no cat species is native to Cyprus, this discovery indicates that Neolithic farmers may have brought cats to Cyprus from the Near East. Results of genetics and morphological research corroborated that the African wildcat is the ancestor of the domestic cat. The first individuals were probably domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around the time of the introduction of agriculture. Murals and statuettes depicting cats as well mummified cats indicate that it was commonly kept by ancient Egyptians since at least the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt.

In mythology
Celtic fables of the Cat Sìth, a fairy creature described as resembling a large white-chested black cat, are thought to have been inspired by the Kellas cat, itself thought to be a free-ranging crossbreed between a European wildcat and a domestic cat. In 1693, William Salmon mentioned how body parts of the wildcat were used for medicinal purposes; its flesh for treating gout, its fat for dissolving tumours and easing pain, its blood for curing "falling sickness", and its excrement for treating baldness.

In heraldry
The Picts venerated wildcats, having probably named Caithness (Land of the Cats) after them. According to the foundation myth of the Catti tribe, their ancestors were attacked by wildcats upon landing in Scotland. Their ferocity impressed the Catti so much, that the wildcat became their symbol. The progenitors of Clan Sutherland use the wildcat as symbol on their family crest. The clan's chief bears the title Morair Chat (Great Man of the Cats). The wildcat is considered an icon of Scottish wilderness, and has been used in clan heraldry since the 13th century. The Clan Chattan Association (also known as the Clan of Cats) comprises 12 clans, the majority of which display the wildcat on their badges.

In literature
Shakespeare referenced the wildcat three times:

":The patch is kind enough ; but a huge feeder
 * Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
 * More than the wild cat."

":Thou must be married to no man but me ;
 * For I am he, am born to tame you, Kate ;
 * And bring you from a wild cat to a Kate
 * Comfortable, as other household Kates."

":Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd."

title: Wildcat


text:
Harghita County

Harghita County (Județul Harghita, and Hargita megye, ) is a county (județ) in the center of Romania, in eastern Transylvania, with the county seat at Miercurea Ciuc.

2002 census
In 2002, Harghita County had a population of 326,222 and a population density of 52/km2.

 * Hungarians – 84.62% (or 276,038)
 * Romanians – 14.06% (or 45,870)
 * Romani – 1.18% (or 3,835)
 * Others – 0.14%

2011 census
In 2011, it had a population of 302,432 and a population density of 46/km2.

 * Hungarians – 85.21% (or 257,707)
 * Romanians – 12.96% (or 39,196)
 * Romani
 * Others – 1.76% (or 5,326).

2021 census
In 2021, it had a population of 291,950, and a population density of 43/km2.

 * Hungarians – 85.67% (or 232,157)
 * Romanians – 12.41% (or 33,634)
 * Romani - 1.82% (or 4,928)
 * Others – 0.1% (or 282).

Harghita county has the highest percentage of Hungarians in Romania, just ahead of Covasna county. The Hungarians form the majority of the population in most of the county's municipalities, with Romanians concentrated in the northern and eastern part of the county (particularly Toplița and Bălan), as well as in the enclave of Voșlăbeni.

The Székelys of Harghita are mostly Roman Catholic, with Reformed and Unitarian minorities, while the ethnic Romanians are primarily Orthodox. Catholicism is strongest in the east, in the former Csíkszék, while Protestants are concentrated in the south and west of Odorheiu Secuiesc. By religion, the county is divided roughly as follows:

 * Roman Catholic (65%)
 * Orthodox (13%)
 * Reformed (13%)
 * Unitarian (7%)
 * Other (2%)

Geography
Harghita County has a total area of 6,639 km2.

Harghita consists primarily of mountains, connected to the Eastern Carpathians, such as the Ciuc and Harghita Mountains; volcanic plateaux, foothills, and the more densely populated river valleys.

The mountains are volcanic in origin, and the region is known for its excellent hot mineral springs. Harghita is known as one of the coldest regions in Romania, although summers can be quite warm.

It is in this county that two of the most important rivers in Romania, the Mureș and the Olt, originate. These rivers' origins, near the villages of Izvoru Mureșului and Sândominic, are only a few miles apart; yet the Mureș flows west to the Tisza, while the Olt flows south to the Danube. In the western part of the county the two Târnava rivers (Târnava Mare and Târnava Mică) flow to the Târnava Plateau, which is part of the Transylvanian Plateau.

Harghita's spectacular natural scenery includes Sfânta Ana Lake, a volcanic crater lake near the town of Băile Tușnad; Lacul Roșu a mountain lake in the northeast near the town of Gheorgheni, and Cheile Bicazului, a dramatic, narrow canyon formed by the Bicaz stream. The county is renowned for its spa resorts and mineral waters.

Neighbours

 * Neamț County and Bacău County to the East.
 * Mureș County to the West.
 * Suceava County to the North.
 * Brașov County and Covasna County to the South.

Economy
The county's main industries:
 * Wood industry – up to 30%;
 * Foods and beverages industry;
 * Textile and leather processing;
 * Mechanical components.

Tourism
The main tourist attractions in Harghita county are
 * The cities of Miercurea Ciuc, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Gheorgheni, Toplița.
 * The mountain resorts of
 * Băile Tușnad
 * Borsec
 * Lacul Roșu
 * Izvorul Mureşului
 * Harghita Băi
 * Lake Sfânta Ana (crater lake)
 * The Via Transilvanica long-distance hiking and biking trail, which crosses the county

Politics
The Harghita County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 30 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions
Harghita County has 4 municipalities, 5 towns and 58 communes
 * Municipalities
 * Gheorgheni
 * Miercurea Ciuc – county seat; population: 37,980 (as of 2011)
 * Odorheiu Secuiesc
 * Toplița
 * Towns
 * Băile Tușnad
 * Bălan
 * Borsec
 * Cristuru Secuiesc
 * Vlăhița

 * Communes
 * Atid
 * Avrămești
 * Bilbor
 * Brădești
 * Căpâlnița
 * Cârța
 * Ciceu
 * Ciucsângeorgiu
 * Ciumani
 * Corbu
 * Corund
 * Cozmeni
 * Dănești
 * Dârjiu
 * Dealu

 * Ditrău
 * Feliceni
 * Frumoasa
 * Gălăutaș
 * Joseni
 * Lăzarea
 * Leliceni
 * Lueta
 * Lunca de Jos
 * Lunca de Sus
 * Lupeni
 * Mădăraș
 * Mărtiniș
 * Merești
 * Mihăileni

 * Mugeni
 * Ocland
 * Păuleni-Ciuc
 * Plăieșii de Jos
 * Porumbeni
 * Praid
 * Racu
 * Remetea
 * Săcel
 * Sâncrăieni
 * Sândominic
 * Sânmartin
 * Sânsimion
 * Sântimbru

 * Sărmaș
 * Satu Mare
 * Secuieni
 * Siculeni
 * Șimonești
 * Subcetate
 * Suseni
 * Tomești
 * Tulgheș
 * Tușnad
 * Ulieș
 * Vărșag
 * Voșlăbeni
 * Zetea

title: Harghita County


text:
Mureș County

Mureș County (, Județul Mures, Maros megye) is a county (județ) of Romania, in the historical region of Transylvania, with the administrative centre in Târgu Mureș. The county was established in 1968, after the administrative reorganization that re-introduced the historical județ (county) system, still used today. This reform eliminated the previous Mureș-Magyar Autonomous Region, which had been created in 1952 within the People's Republic of Romania. Mureș County has a vibrant multicultural fabric that includes Hungarian-speaking Székelys and Transylvanian Saxons, with a rich heritage of fortified churches and towns.

Name
In Hungarian, it is known as Maros megye, and in German as Kreis Mieresch. Under Kingdom of Hungary, a county with a similar name (Maros-Torda County, Comitatul Mureş-Turda) was created in 1876. There was a county with the same name under the Kingdom of Romania, and a Mureș-Magyar Autonomous Region (1960–1968) under the Socialist Republic of Romania.

Geography
The county has a total area of 6,714 km2.

The northeastern side of the county consists of the Călimani and Gurghiu Mountains and the sub-Carpathian hills, members of the Inner Eastern Carpathians. The rest of the county is part of the Transylvanian Plateau, with deep but wide valleys.

The main river crossing in the county is the Mureș River. The Târnava Mare River and the Târnava Mică River also cross the county.

Mureș County is bordered by seven other counties: Suceava, Harghita, Brașov, Sibiu, Alba, Cluj and Bistrița-Năsăud.

Neighbours

 * Harghita County in the East.
 * Alba County and Cluj County in the West.
 * Bistrița-Năsăud County and Suceava County in the North.
 * Sibiu County and Brașov County in the South.

Demographics

In 2011, Mureș had a population of 550,846 and the population density was 82 pd/sqkm.

In terms of religion:

 * Romanian Orthodox – 53.3%
 * Reformed Church – 27%
 * Roman Catholic Church – 9.5%
 * Other Christian denominations – 8.2%
 * Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, Non-religious, other, or undeclared – 1.9%

Tourism
Some of the main tourist attractions in the county are:
 * The old city of Târgu Mureș
 * The medieval city of Sighișoara
 * Sovata resort
 * The city of Reghin
 * The medieval fortified church of Saschiz
 * Călimani Mountains – Gurghiu Mountains
 * The Via Transilvanica long-distance hiking and biking trail, which crosses the county

TV stations
The only cable provider in Târgu-Mureș is RCS&RDS, in Reghin is Gliga CATV, and in Sighișoara Teleson.

Newspapers and magazines

 * Cuvântul Liber
 * Zi de Zi
 * Ziarul de Mureș
 * Népújság
 * Krónika
 * Vásárhelyi Hírlap

Economy
The predominant industries in the county are:
 * Wood industry.
 * Food industry.
 * Textile industry.
 * Glass and ceramics industry.
 * Construction materials.
 * Musical instruments (Reghin).

Mureș County and Sibiu County together produce about 50% of the natural gas developed in Romania. Salt is also extracted in the county.

Politics
The Mureș County Council, renewed at the 2020 local elections, consists of 34 counsellors, with the following party composition:

Administrative divisions

Mureș County has 4 municipalities, 7 towns and 91 communes.

 * Municipalities
 * Târgu Mureș – county seat; population: 134,290 (as of 2011)
 * Reghin
 * Sighișoara
 * Târnăveni
 * Towns
 * Iernut
 * Luduș
 * Miercurea Nirajului
 * Sângeorgiu de Pădure
 * Sărmașu
 * Sovata
 * Ungheni

 * Communes
 * Acățari
 * Adămuș
 * Albești
 * Aluniș
 * Apold
 * Ațintiș
 * Bahnea
 * Band
 * Batoș
 * Băgaciu
 * Băla
 * Bălăușeri
 * Beica de Jos
 * Bereni
 * Bichiș
 * Bogata
 * Brâncovenești
 * Breaza
 * Ceuașu de Câmpie
 * Chețani
 * Chibed
 * Chiheru de Jos
 * Coroisânmărtin
 * Corunca
 * Cozma
 * Crăciunești
 * Cucerdea
 * Crăiești
 * Cristești
 * Cuci
 * Daneș
 * Deda
 * Eremitu
 * Ernei
 * Fântânele
 * Fărăgău
 * Gălești
 * Gănești
 * Gheorghe Doja
 * Ghindari
 * Glodeni
 * Gornești
 * Grebenișu de Câmpie
 * Gurghiu
 * Hodac
 * Hodoșa
 * Ibănești
 * Iclănzel
 * Ideciu de Jos
 * Livezeni
 * Lunca
 * Lunca Bradului
 * Mădăraș
 * Măgherani
 * Mica
 * Miheșu de Câmpie
 * Nadeș
 * Neaua
 * Ogra
 * Papiu Ilarian
 * Pănet
 * Păsăreni
 * Petelea
 * Pogăceaua
 * Râciu
 * Răstolița
 * Rușii-Munți
 * Sâncraiu de Mureș
 * Sângeorgiu de Mureș
 * Sânger
 * Sânpaul
 * Sânpetru de Câmpie
 * Sântana de Mureș
 * Sărățeni
 * Saschiz
 * Solovăstru
 * Stânceni
 * Suplac
 * Suseni
 * Șăulia
 * Șincai
 * Tăureni
 * Valea Largă
 * Vânători
 * Vărgata
 * Vătava
 * Vețca
 * Viișoara
 * Voivodeni
 * Zagăr
 * Zau de Câmpie

Historical county
Historically, Mureş-Turda County was located in the central-northern part of Greater Romania, in the central part of Transylvania. The capital was Târgu Mureș. After the administrative unification law in 1925, it was renamed to Mureș County, and the territory was reorganized. It was bordered on the south by Târnava-Mică County, on the southwest by Turda County, on the west by Cluj County, on the north by Năsăud County, on the northeast with the counties of Câmpulung and Neamț, and on the southeast with the counties of Ciuc and Odorhei. Most of the territory of the historical county is found in the present Mureș County, except for the northeastern area, which is located in Harghita County, and the northwestern area in Bistrița-Năsăud County today.

History
Prior to World War I, the territory of the county belonged to Austria-Hungary and identical with the Maros-Torda County of the Kingdom of Hungary. The territory of Mureș County was transferred to Romania from Hungary as successor state to Austria-Hungary in 1920 under the Treaty of Trianon.

In 1938, King Carol II promulgated a new Constitution, and subsequently he had the administrative division of the Romanian territory changed. 10 ținuturi (approximate translation: "lands") were created (by merging the counties) to be ruled by rezidenți regali (approximate translation: "Royal Residents") – appointed directly by the King – instead of the prefects. Mureș County became part of Ținutul Mureș.

In 1940, the county was transferred back to Hungary with the rest of Northern Transylvania under the Second Vienna Award. Beginning in 1944, Romanian forces with Soviet assistance recaptured the ceded territory and reintegrated it into Romania, re-establishing the county. Romanian jurisdiction over the entire county per the Treaty of Trianon was reaffirmed in the Paris Peace Treaties, 1947. The county was disestablished by the communist government of Romania in 1950, and re-established in 1968 when Romania restored the county administrative system.

Administration

The county originally consisted of seven districts (plăși):
 * 1) Plasa Band, headquartered at Band
 * 2) Plasa Miercurea Nirajului, headquartered at Miercurea Nirajului
 * 3) Plasa Râciu, headquartered at Râciu
 * 4) Plasa Reghin, headquartered at Reghin
 * 5) Plasa Târgu Mureș (also called Plasa Mureș), headquartered at Târgu Mureș
 * 6) Plasa Teaca, headquartered at Teaca
 * 7) Plasa Toplița, headquartered at Toplița

A subsequent administrative adjustment added one district, divided Plasa Mureș into two, and divided Plasa Reghin into two, leaving ten districts:
 * 1) Plasa Band, headquartered at Band
 * 2) Plasa Gurhiu, headquartered at Gurghiu
 * 3) Plasa Miercurea Nirajului, headquartered at Miercurea Nirajului
 * 4) Plasa Mureș de Jos, headquartered at Mureșeni
 * 5) Plasa Mureș de Sus, headquartered at Târgu Mureș
 * 6) Plasa Râciu, headquartered at Râciu
 * 7) Plasa Reghin de Jos, headquartered at Reghin
 * 8) Plasa Reghin de Sus, headquartered at Suseni
 * 9) Plasa Teaca, headquartered at Teaca
 * 10) Plasa Toplița, headquartered at Toplița

The county had two urban localities: Târgu Mureş (a city) and Reghin (urban commune).

Population
According to the census data of 1930, the county's population was 289,546, of which 45.8% were Romanians, 42.6% Hungarians, 3.9% Germans, 3.9% Romanies, 3.4% Jews, as well as other minorities. By mother tongue, the county population consisted of 45.9% Hungarian speakers, 45.5% Romanian speakers, 3.9% German speakers, 2.2% Yiddish speakers, and 2.1% Romany speakers. In the religious aspect, the population consisted of 32.4% Greek Catholic, 30.3% Reformed, 14.5% Eastern Orthodox, 12.1% Roman Catholic, 3.9% Lutheran, 3.6% Jewish, 2.6% Unitarian, as well as other minorities.

Urban population
In 1930, the urban population of the county was 47,807, of which 54.3% were Hungarians, 24.3% Romanians, 13.4% Jews, 6.0% Germans, 1.1% Romanies, as well as other minorities. As a mother tongue in the urban population, Hungarian was spoken by 61.2% of the population, followed by Romanian, spoken by 23.6% of the population as mother tongue, Yiddish (7.4%) and German (6.2%). From the religious point of view, the urban population was made up of 32.6% Reformed, 20.1% Roman Catholic, 14.2% Greek Catholic, 14.2% Jewish, 10% Eastern Orthodox, 5.9% Lutheran, 2.3% Unitarian, as well as other minorities.

Media

 * TVR Mures
 * Cuvântul Liber
 * Zi-de-zi.ro
 * www.e-nepujsag.ro
 * Krónika
 * Székelyhon
 * Digi24 Cluj-Napoca

title: Mureș County