Braşov County

Braşov (()) is a county (judeţ) of Romania, in Transylvania, with the capital city at Braşov.

Neighbours

Covasna County in the East.
Sibiu County in the West.
Mureş County and Harghita County in the North.
Argeş County, Dâmboviţa County and Prahova County in the South.

Demographics

In 2002, it had a population of 589,028 and the population density was 110/km².

The vast majority of the population are Romanians. There are communities of Ethnic Germans, Hungarians and Romas.

Traditionaly the Romanian population was concentrated in the West and South-West of the County, the Hungarians are in the East part of the county, and the Germans were in the North and around Braşov city.

official statistics

Geography

The county has a total area of 5,363 km².

The South side comprises the Carpathian Mountains (Southern Carpathians and Eastern Carpathians) with Făgăraş Mountains, Bucegi Mountains, Piatra Mare Mountains, Piatra Craiului Mountains and Postăvaru Mountains. In the east side there is the Braşov Depression, and in the west side there is the Olt River valley. Between them there are the Perşani Mountains.

The North and West side of the county is crossed by the Olt River.

Economy

Braşov is one of the most prosperous regions of Romania and has a tradition in industry. During WWII, IAR 80 fighter aircraft were built in Braşov. During the communist period it was heavily industrialised, and its heritage were some very large industrial complexes. Some of them managed to survive and adapt to the capitalist type market economy, some of them didn't, leaving behind them a high rate of unemployement. Due to new investments, mainly foreign ones, the economy managed to partially recover.

The predominant industries in the county are:

Mechanical and automotive industry.
Chemical industry.
Construction materials.
Food industry.

Around Făgăraş and Victoria there are big chemical complexes which pollute the region.

Tourism

Braşov contains some of the most attractive tourist destinations in Romania.

The main tourist attractions in the county are:

The city of Braşov.
Poiana Braşov mountain resort.
Predeal mountain resort.
Bran area.
The Făgăraş Mountains.
The medieval fortresses of Făgăraş and Râşnov.
The Fortified churches from the saxon villages in the Burzenland area.

Administrative divisions

The county has 4 municipalities, 6 towns and 47 communes.

Municipalities

Braşov (Brassó, Kronstadt)
Făgăraş (Fogaras)
Codlea (Feketehalom)
Săcele (Hétfalu)

Towns

Ghimbav (Vídombák)
Predeal
Râşnov (Rozsnyó)
Rupea (Kőhalom)
Victoria
Zărneşti (Zernyest)