Gorj County () is a county (
județ) of
Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...
, in
Oltenia
Oltenia (, also called Lesser Wallachia in antiquated versions, with the alternative Latin names ''Wallachia Minor'', ''Wallachia Alutana'', ''Wallachia Caesarea'' between 1718 and 1739) is a historical province and geographical region of Romania ...
, with its capital city at
Târgu Jiu
Târgu Jiu () is the capital of Gorj County in the Oltenia region of Romania. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the banks of the river Jiu. Eight localities are administered by the city: Bârsești, Drăgoieni, Iezureni, Polat ...
. ''Gorj'' comes from the Slavic ''Gor(no)-''
Jiu (“upper Jiu”), in contrast with
Dolj
Dolj County (; originally meant ''Dol(no)- Jiu'', "lower Jiu", as opposed to ''Gorj'' (''upper Jiu'')) is a county ( județ) of Romania on the border with Bulgaria, in Oltenia, with the capital city at Craiova.
Demographics
In 2011, the co ...
(“lower Jiu”).
Demographics
In 2011, the county had a population of 334,238 and its population density was .
*
Romanians
The Romanians ( ro, români, ; dated exonym ''Vlachs'') are a Romance languages, Romance-speaking ethnic group. Sharing a common Culture of Romania, Romanian culture and Cultural heritage, ancestry, and speaking the Romanian language, they l ...
– over 98%
*
Roma
Roma or ROMA may refer to:
Places Australia
* Roma, Queensland, a town
** Roma Airport
** Roma Courthouse
** Electoral district of Roma, defunct
** Town of Roma, defunct town, now part of the Maranoa Regional Council
*Roma Street, Brisbane, a ...
,
others – 2%
Geography
Gorj County has a total area of .
The North side of the county consists of various mountains from the
Southern Carpathians
The Southern Carpathians (also known as the Transylvanian Alps; ro, Carpații Meridionali ; hu, Déli-Kárpátok) are a group of mountain ranges located in southern Romania. They cover the part of the Carpathian Mountains located between the P ...
group. In the West there are the
Vâlcan Mountains
The Vâlcan Mountains are a chain of mountains in the Southern Carpathians in Gorj County, Romania. They are part of the Retezat-Godeanu Mountains group. They run for approximately and the highest peak is the Vâlcan Peak at . The mountains run ...
, and in the East there are the
Parâng Mountains
The Parâng Mountains (; hu, Páring-hegység) are one of the highest mountain ridges in Romania and Southern Carpathians, with the highest peak, Parângu Mare, reaching 2,519 m.
Description
The Parâng Mountains are located in the south-wester ...
and the
Negoveanu Mountains. The two groups are split by the
Jiu River
The Jiu (; hu, Zsil ; german: Schil or Schiel; la, Rabon) is a river in southern Romania. It is formed near Petroșani by the confluence of headwaters Jiul de Vest and Jiul de Est.
It flows southward through the Romanian counties Hunedoara, ...
.
To the South, the heights decrease through the hills to a high plain at the Western end of the
Wallachian Plain
The Romanian Plain ( ro, Câmpia Română) is located in southern Romania and the easternmost tip of Serbia, where it is known as the Wallachian Plain ( sr, Vlaška nizija/Влашка низија). Part of the historical region of Wallachia, it ...
.
The main river, which collects all the smaller rivers, is the
Jiu River
The Jiu (; hu, Zsil ; german: Schil or Schiel; la, Rabon) is a river in southern Romania. It is formed near Petroșani by the confluence of headwaters Jiul de Vest and Jiul de Est.
It flows southward through the Romanian counties Hunedoara, ...
.
Neighbours
*
Vâlcea County
Vâlcea County (also spelt ''Vîlcea''; ) is a county ( județ) of Romania. Located in the historical regions of Oltenia and Muntenia (which are separated by the Olt River), it is also part of the wider Wallachia region. Its capital city is Râm ...
to the east.
*
Mehedinți County and
Caraș-Severin County
Caraș-Severin () is a county ( județ) of Romania on the border with Serbia. The majority of its territory lies within the historical region of Banat, with a few northeastern villages considered part of Transylvania. The county seat is Reșița ...
to the west.
*
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 , in German as , and in Slovak ...
to the north.
*
Dolj County
Dolj County (; originally meant ''Dol(no)- Jiu'', "lower Jiu", as opposed to '' Gorj'' (''upper Jiu'')) is a county ( județ) of Romania on the border with Bulgaria, in Oltenia, with the capital city at Craiova.
Demographics
In 2011, the c ...
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
Motru () is a city in Romania, Gorj County. It is situated on the river Motru in western Oltenia. The county capital Târgu Jiu is located about 35 km northeast. The city administers eight villages: Dealu Pomilor, Horăști, Însurăței, ...
and
Rovinari
Rovinari () is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. A large coal burning electric power plant it is located near the town. Surface and underground lignite coal mines operate in the surrounding area. It officially became a town in 1981, as a ...
. There are two big thermo electrical power plants at
Rovinari
Rovinari () is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. A large coal burning electric power plant it is located near the town. Surface and underground lignite coal mines operate in the surrounding area. It officially became a town in 1981, as a ...
and
Turceni
Turceni is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It administers five villages: Gârbovu, Jilțu, Murgești, Strâmba-Jiu and Valea Viei.
Natives
* Al. C. Calotescu-Neicu
* Ionuț Tătaru
Ionuț Tătaru (born 5 October 1989) is a Romanian fo ...
, 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
![Slavuta](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Slavuta.bis_lemn_NV.jpg)
The main tourist destinations are:
* The city and the area around
Târgu Jiu
Târgu Jiu () is the capital of Gorj County in the Oltenia region of Romania. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the banks of the river Jiu. Eight localities are administered by the city: Bârsești, Drăgoieni, Iezureni, Polat ...
:
** The
Constantin Brâncuși
Constantin Brâncuși (; February 19, 1876 – March 16, 1957) was a Romanian Sculpture, sculptor, painter and photographer who made his career in France. Considered one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th-century and a pioneer of ...
sculptural ensemble;
**
Tismana
Tismana is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It administers ten villages: Celei, Costeni, Gornovița, Isvarna, Pocruia, Racoți, Sohodol, Topești, Vâlcele and Vânăta.
History
During the Byzantine period, Tismana was a major center of ...
Monastery.
* The
Parâng Mountains
The Parâng Mountains (; hu, Páring-hegység) are one of the highest mountain ridges in Romania and Southern Carpathians, with the highest peak, Parângu Mare, reaching 2,519 m.
Description
The Parâng Mountains are located in the south-wester ...
.
*
Polovragi
Polovragi is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to th ...
Monastery.
Politics
The Gorj County Council, renewed at the
2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:
Administrative divisions
![Raul_Gilort_la_Targu_Carbunesti_(1)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Raul_Gilort_la_Targu_Carbunesti_%281%29.JPG)
Gorj County has 2 municipalities, 7 towns and 61 communes
*Municipalities
**
Motru
Motru () is a city in Romania, Gorj County. It is situated on the river Motru in western Oltenia. The county capital Târgu Jiu is located about 35 km northeast. The city administers eight villages: Dealu Pomilor, Horăști, Însurăței, ...
- population: 18,142 (as of 2011)
**
Târgu Jiu
Târgu Jiu () is the capital of Gorj County in the Oltenia region of Romania. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the banks of the river Jiu. Eight localities are administered by the city: Bârsești, Drăgoieni, Iezureni, Polat ...
– capital city; population: 78,553 (as of 2011)
*Towns
**
Bumbești-Jiu
Bumbești-Jiu () is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania, on the river Jiu. It administers four villages: Curtișoara, Lăzărești, Pleșa and Tetila. It officially became a town in 1989, as a result of the Romanian rural systematization pro ...
**
Novaci
**
Rovinari
Rovinari () is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. A large coal burning electric power plant it is located near the town. Surface and underground lignite coal mines operate in the surrounding area. It officially became a town in 1981, as a ...
**
Târgu Cărbunești
Târgu Cărbunești is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania with a population of 8,034 (as of 2011).Rezultatele finale ale Recensământului din 2011: It lies in the south-eastern part of the county and administers ten villages: Blahnița de J ...
**
Țicleni
Țicleni is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the ...
**
Tismana
Tismana is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It administers ten villages: Celei, Costeni, Gornovița, Isvarna, Pocruia, Racoți, Sohodol, Topești, Vâlcele and Vânăta.
History
During the Byzantine period, Tismana was a major center of ...
**
Turceni
Turceni is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It administers five villages: Gârbovu, Jilțu, Murgești, Strâmba-Jiu and Valea Viei.
Natives
* Al. C. Calotescu-Neicu
* Ionuț Tătaru
Ionuț Tătaru (born 5 October 1989) is a Romanian fo ...
*Communes
**
Albeni
**
Alimpești
**
Aninoasa
Aninoasa ( hu, Aninósza or ''Aninószabányatelep'') is a town in Hunedoara County in the Transylvania region of Romania. The town is located in Jiu Valley, which is a coal basin, and many of the towns residents are coal miners. Most of the ...
**
Arcani
**
Baia de Fier
Baia de Fier is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is composed of two villages, Baia de Fier and Cernădia. It is traversed by the river Pârâul Galben; to the east flows the river Olteț. Peștera Muierilor (''women's cave'') is loc ...
**
Bălănești
**
Bălești
**
Bărbătești
**
Bengești-Ciocadia
Bengești-Ciocadia is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hung ...
**
Berlești
**
Bâlteni
Bâlteni is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is composed of five villages: Bâlteni, Cocoreni, Moi, Peșteana-Jiu and Vlăduleni.
The commune îs situated at a distance of west of Bucharest, south of Târgu Jiu
Târgu Jiu () is ...
**
Bolboși
**
Borăscu
Borăscu is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to th ...
**
Brănești
**
Bumbești-Pițic
Bumbești-Pițic is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Bumbești-Pițic, Cârligei and Poienari.
References
*
Communes in Gorj County
Localities in Oltenia
{{Gorj-geo-stub ...
**
Bustuchin
Bustuchin is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is composed of eight villages: Bustuchin, Cionți, Motorgi, Nămete, Poiana-Seciuri, Poienița, Pojaru and Valea Pojarului.
References
*
Communes in Gorj County
Localities in Olte ...
**
Câlnic
**
Căpreni
Căpreni is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to ...
**
Cătunele
Cătunele is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to th ...
**
Ciuperceni
**
Crasna
**
Crușeț
Crușeț is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria t ...
**
Dănciulești
**
Dănești
**
Drăgotești
**
Drăguțești
Drăguțești is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgar ...
**
Fărcășești
**
Glogova
**
Godinești
**
Hurezani
Hurezani is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to ...
**
Ionești
**
Jupânești
**
Lelești
**
Licurici
**
Logrești
Logrești is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to th ...
**
Mătăsari
**
Mușetești
Mușetești is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgari ...
**
Negomir
**
Padeș
Padeș is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the ...
**
Peștișani
**
Plopșoru
**
Polovragi
Polovragi is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to th ...
**
Prigoria
**
Roșia de Amaradia
**
Runcu
**
Săcelu
**
Samarinești
Samarinești is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to ...
**
Săulești
**
Schela
**
Scoarța
**
Slivilești
**
Stănești
**
Stejari
**
Stoina
Stoina is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is composed of seven villages: Ciorari, Mielușei, Păișani, Stoina, Toiaga, Ulmet and Urda de Sus.
References
*
Communes in Gorj County
Localities in Oltenia
{{Gorj-geo-stub ...
**
Țânțăreni
**
Telești
**
Turburea
Turburea is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to th ...
**
Turcinești
**
Urdari
Urdari is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the w ...
**
Văgiulești
**
Vladimir
Vladimir may refer to:
Names
* Vladimir (name) for the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Macedonian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak and Slovenian spellings of a Slavic name
* Uladzimir for the Belarusian version of the name
* Volodymyr for the Ukr ...
Historical county
Historically, the county was located in the southwestern part of
Greater Romania
The term Greater Romania ( ro, România Mare) usually refers to the borders of the Kingdom of Romania in the interwar period, achieved after the Great Union. It also refers to a pan-nationalist idea.
As a concept, its main goal is the creation ...
, in the northern part of the historical region of
Oltenia
Oltenia (, also called Lesser Wallachia in antiquated versions, with the alternative Latin names ''Wallachia Minor'', ''Wallachia Alutana'', ''Wallachia Caesarea'' between 1718 and 1739) is a historical province and geographical region of Romania ...
. Its capital was
Târgu Jiu
Târgu Jiu () is the capital of Gorj County in the Oltenia region of Romania. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the banks of the river Jiu. Eight localities are administered by the city: Bârsești, Drăgoieni, Iezureni, Polat ...
. 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
Hunedoara (; german: Eisenmarkt; hu, Vajdahunyad ) is a municipiu, city in Hunedoara County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located in southwestern Transylvania near the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, and administers five villages: Boș (''Bós''), Groș ...
and
Sibiu
Sibiu ( , , german: link=no, Hermannstadt , la, Cibinium, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Härmeschtat'', hu, Nagyszeben ) is a city in Romania, in the historical region of Transylvania. Located some north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Ci ...
, to the east by
Vâlcea County
Vâlcea County (also spelt ''Vîlcea''; ) is a county ( județ) of Romania. Located in the historical regions of Oltenia and Muntenia (which are separated by the Olt River), it is also part of the wider Wallachia region. Its capital city is Râm ...
, and to the south by
Dolj County
Dolj County (; originally meant ''Dol(no)- Jiu'', "lower Jiu", as opposed to '' Gorj'' (''upper Jiu'')) is a county ( județ) of Romania on the border with Bulgaria, in Oltenia, with the capital city at Craiova.
Demographics
In 2011, the c ...
.
Administration
![1938 map of interwar county Gorj](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/1938_map_of_interwar_county_Gorj.jpg)
The county was originally divided into four administrative districts (''
plăși''):
[Portretul României Interbelice – Județul Gorj]
/ref>
#Plasa Gilort, headquartered at Gilort
The Gilort is a river in southern Romania, a left tributary of the river Jiu. The Gilort flows through the villages and towns Novaci, Bălcești, Bengești, Târgu Cărbunești, Jupânești, Turburea and Capu Dealului. Its length is and its ...
#Plasa Jiu, headquartered at Jiu
#Plasa Novaci, headquartered at Novaci
#Plasa Vulcana, headquartered at Vulcana
Miriam Kate Williams (6 May 1874 – 8 August 1946) sometimes called Kate Roberts and better known by her stage name Vulcana, was a Wales, Welsh strongwoman. With Strongman (strength athlete), strongman William Hedley Roberts, better known ...
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
Roof tiles are designed mainly to keep out rain, and are traditionally made from locally available materials such as terracotta or slate. Modern materials such as concrete, metal and plastic are also used and some clay tiles have a waterproof ...
as of 1931.[H. T. Montague Bell, Near East, Limited, 1931, ''The Near East Year Book and Who's who: A Survey of the Affairs, Political, Economic and Social, of Yugoslavia, Roumania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey'', p. 559]
References
External links
{{Authority control
Counties of Romania
Geography of Wallachia
Place names of Slavic origin in Romania
1879 establishments in Romania
1938 disestablishments in Romania
1940 establishments in Romania
1950 disestablishments in Romania
1968 establishments in Romania
States and territories established in 1879
States and territories disestablished in 1938
States and territories established in 1940
States and territories disestablished in 1950
States and territories established in 1968