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Harghita (; ) is a county (judeţ) in the center of Romania, Eastern Transylvania, with the capital city at Miercurea-Ciuc.

Neighbours

Demographics

In 2002, it had a population of 326,222 and the population density was 52/km².

84.6% (276,106) of its population is ethnic Hungarian, making it the county with the highest proportion of Hungarians in Romania, and one of only two counties where Hungarians form a majority (the other being Covasna). According to the latest national census, the major ethnic groups in the county are:

The primary Hungarian group, the Székely (Szeklers, Secui in Romanian), form majorities in most municipalities in the county, with Romanians concentrated in a few specific towns, such as Topliţa.

The Székely are mostly Roman Catholic, while the Romanians are primarily Orthodox and the rest of Hungarians are Reformed. By religion, the county is divided roughly thus:

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 all of Romania, but summers can be quite warm.

The county contains the sources of two of the most important rivers in Romania, the Mureş and the Olt. These rivers' origins, near the villages of Izvoru Mureşului and Sândominic, are only a few miles apart, yet the Mureş flows west to the Tisza, while the Olt flows south to the Danube. On the west of the county the two Târnava rivers (Târnava Mare and Târnava Mică) flow to the Târnava Plateau from the Transylvania Plateau.

Harghita's many spectacular natural features include Sfanta Ana Lake, a volcanic crater lake in the south of the county near Tuşnad, Lacu Roşu a mountain lake in the northeast near Gheorgheni, and nearby Cheile Bicazului, a dramatic, narrow canyon formed by the Bicaz stream. The county is famous for its spa resorts and its mineral water.

Economy

The predominant industries in the county are:
  • Wood industry up to 30%.
  • Food and beverages industry.
  • Textile and leather industry.
  • Mechanical components.

Tourism

The main tourist attractions in Harghita county are:

Administrative divisions

The county has 4 municipalities, 5 towns and 49 communes. (Hungarian names in parentheses)

Municipalities

Towns

Communes

Окръг Харгита | Harghita | Harghita maakond | Distrikto Harghita | Judeţ de Harghita | Harghita | Hargita megye | Harghita | Okręg Harghita | Judeţul Harghita | Харгита (жудец)

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Harghita County".

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