Mehedinți County () is a county ( ro,
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 ...
on the border with
Serbia
Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia ( Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hu ...
and
Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedo ...
. It is mostly located in the historical province 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 ...
, with one municipality (
Orșova) and three communes (
Dubova,
Eșelnița
Eșelnița ( hu, Jeselnica) is a commune located in Mehedinți County, Romania. It is composed of a single village, Eșelnița. It is one of four localities in the county located in the Banat. At the 2011 census, 74% of inhabitants were Romania ...
, and
Svinița
Svinița ( ro, Svinița, sr, Свињица or Svinjica, hu, Szinice) is a commune in Mehedinți County, Romania, located on the Danube (in the area of the Banat known as Clisura Dunării – ''Banatska Klisura'' in Serbian). It is composed of a ...
) located in the
Banat
Banat (, ; hu, Bánság; sr, Банат, Banat) is a geographical and historical region that straddles Central and Eastern Europe and which is currently divided among three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania (the counties of ...
. The county seat is
Drobeta-Turnu Severin
Drobeta-Turnu Severin (), colloquially Severin, is a city in Mehedinți County, Oltenia, Romania, on the northern bank of the Danube, close to the Iron Gates. "Drobeta" is the name of the ancient Dacian and Roman towns at the site, and the modern ...
.
Name
The county's name is or in
Hungarian. The
Romanian
Romanian may refer to:
*anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Romania
** Romanians, an ethnic group
**Romanian language, a Romance language
***Romanian dialects, variants of the Romanian language
**Romanian cuisine, traditiona ...
form originates from the first one, and a third originates from the Romanian: . The territory was famous for its
apiaries, that's why it was named from the Hungarian word meaning bee.
Demographics
In 2011, it had a population of 254,570 and the
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...
was 51.6/km
2.
*
Romanians
The Romanians ( ro, români, ; dated exonym '' Vlachs'') are a Romance-speaking ethnic group. Sharing a common Romanian culture and ancestry, and speaking the Romanian language, they live primarily in Romania and Moldova. The 2011 Romania ...
- 96.1%
*
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 ...
- 3%
*
Others (including
Serbs
The Serbs ( sr-Cyr, Срби, Srbi, ) are the most numerous South Slavs, South Slavic ethnic group native to the Balkans in Southeastern Europe, who share a common Serbian Cultural heritage, ancestry, Culture of Serbia, culture, History of ...
,
Hungarians
Hungarians, also known as Magyars ( ; hu, magyarok ), are a nation and ethnic group native to Hungary () and historical Hungarian lands who share a common culture, history, ancestry, and language. The Hungarian language belongs to the ...
, and
Germans
, native_name_lang = de
, region1 =
, pop1 = 72,650,269
, region2 =
, pop2 = 534,000
, region3 =
, pop3 = 157,000
3,322,405
, region4 =
, pop4 = ...
) - 0.9%
Geography
This county has a total area of 4,933 km
2.
In the North-West there are the
Mehedinți Mountains with heights up to 1500 m, part of the Western end of the
Southern Carpathians.
The heights decrease towards the East, passing through the hills to a high plain - the Western end of the
Romanian Plain.
In the South the
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
flows, forming a wide valley, with channels and ponds. Another important river is the
Motru River in the East side, an affluent of the
Jiu River. Also, in the West side there is the
Cerna River forming a passage between the
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 ...
region and the
Banat
Banat (, ; hu, Bánság; sr, Банат, Banat) is a geographical and historical region that straddles Central and Eastern Europe and which is currently divided among three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania (the counties of ...
region.
Neighbours
*
Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedo ...
in the South -
Vidin Province.
*
Serbia
Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia ( Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hu ...
in the West and South-West -
Bor District.
*
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 Re� ...
in the North-West.
*
Gorj County in the North-East.
*
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 ...
in the South-East.
Economy
The energetic sector is highly developed in the county, on the
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
being two big hydro electrical power plants (Iron Gates I and Iron Gates II). Also in NE of
Drobeta-Turnu Severin
Drobeta-Turnu Severin (), colloquially Severin, is a city in Mehedinți County, Oltenia, Romania, on the northern bank of the Danube, close to the Iron Gates. "Drobeta" is the name of the ancient Dacian and Roman towns at the site, and the modern ...
there is a
heavy water complex (Romag Prod).
The predominant industries in the county are:
* Chemical industry.
* Food and beverages industry.
* Textile industry.
* Mechanical components industry.
* Railway and ship equipment industry.
* Wood and paper industry.
In the North,
coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Coal is formed when ...
and
copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pink ...
are extracted.
The South is mainly agricultural, suited for growing cereals on large surfaces. Also vegetables are cultivated and there are important surfaces of
wines and fruit orchards.
Tourism
The main tourist destinations are:
* The city of
Drobeta-Turnu Severin
Drobeta-Turnu Severin (), colloquially Severin, is a city in Mehedinți County, Oltenia, Romania, on the northern bank of the Danube, close to the Iron Gates. "Drobeta" is the name of the ancient Dacian and Roman towns at the site, and the modern ...
- the ruins of
Trajan
Trajan ( ; la, Caesar Nerva Traianus; 18 September 539/11 August 117) was Roman emperor from 98 to 117. Officially declared ''optimus princeps'' ("best ruler") by the senate, Trajan is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presi ...
's first bridge over the
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
* The city of
Orșova.
* The
Mehedinți Mountains.
* The
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
's
Iron Gates.
*
Baia de Aramă Monastery
Politics
The Mehedinți County Council, renewed at the
2020 local elections, consists of 30 counsellors, with the following party composition:
Administrative divisions
Mehedinți County has 2 municipalities, 3 towns and 61 communes
*Municipalities
**
Drobeta-Turnu Severin
Drobeta-Turnu Severin (), colloquially Severin, is a city in Mehedinți County, Oltenia, Romania, on the northern bank of the Danube, close to the Iron Gates. "Drobeta" is the name of the ancient Dacian and Roman towns at the site, and the modern ...
- capital city; population: 86,475 (as of 2011)
**
Orșova
*Towns
**
Baia de Aramă
**
Strehaia
Strehaia () is a town in Mehedinți County, Oltenia, Romania. It is situated on the Motru River valley, in the eastern part of the county. Forests in the vicinity are home to the largest Hermann's tortoise colonies in Oltenia.
Nine villages are ...
**
Vânju Mare
Vânju Mare is a small town located in Mehedinți County, Romania. Four villages are administered by the town: Bucura, Nicolae Bălcescu, Orevița Mare and Traian. It is situated in the historical region of Oltenia.
Natives
*Victor Gomoiu – su ...
*Communes
**
Bâcleș
**
Bala
Bala may refer to:
Places
India
* Bala, India, a village in Allahabad, India
* Bala, Ahor, a village in the Jalore district of Rajasthan
* Bala, Raebareli, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India
Romania
* Bala, Mehedinți, a commune in Mehedin� ...
**
Bălăcița
**
Balta
**
Bâlvănești
**
Braniștea
**
Breznița-Motru
**
Breznița-Ocol
**
Broșteni
**
Burila Mare
**
Butoiești
**
Căzănești
**
Cireșu
**
Corcova
**
Corlățel
**
Cujmir
**
Dârvari
**
Devesel
**
Dubova
**
Dumbrava
**
Eșelnița
Eșelnița ( hu, Jeselnica) is a commune located in Mehedinți County, Romania. It is composed of a single village, Eșelnița. It is one of four localities in the county located in the Banat. At the 2011 census, 74% of inhabitants were Romania ...
**
Florești
**
Gârla Mare
**
Godeanu
**
Gogoșu
**
Greci
**
Grozești
**
Gruia
**
Hinova
Hinova is a commune located in Mehedinți 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, H ...
**
Husnicioara
**
Ilovăț
**
Ilovița
**
Isverna
**
Izvoru Bârzii
Izvoru Bârzii is a commune located in Mehedinți 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 n ...
**
Jiana
**
Livezile
**
Malovăț
**
Obârșia de Câmp
**
Obârșia-Cloșani
**
Oprișor
**
Pădina Mare
**
Pătulele
**
Podeni
**
Ponoarele
**
Poroina Mare
**
Pristol
Pristol is a commune in Mehedinți 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 ...
**
Prunișor
**
Punghina
**
Rogova
Rogova is a commune located in Mehedinți 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, Hu ...
**
Salcia
**
Șișești
**
Șimian
**
Șovarna
**
Stângăceaua
**
Svinița
Svinița ( ro, Svinița, sr, Свињица or Svinjica, hu, Szinice) is a commune in Mehedinți County, Romania, located on the Danube (in the area of the Banat known as Clisura Dunării – ''Banatska Klisura'' in Serbian). It is composed of a ...
**
Tâmna
Tâmna is a commune located in Mehedinți 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, H ...
**
Vânători
**
Vânjuleț
**
Vlădaia
**
Voloiac
**
Vrata
Vrata is a Sanskrit word that means "vow, resolve, devotion", and refers to pious observances such as fasting and pilgrimage ( Tirtha) found in Indian religions such as Jainism and Hinduism. It is typically accompanied with prayers seeking h ...
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 creatio ...
, in the western 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 Mehedinți County. At present, its territory comprises a large part of the current territory of Mehedinţi County except for the northern part belonging to
Gorj County, while a small part of the former
Severin County
Severin County was a county ( Romanian: ''județ'') in the Kingdom of Romania, in the historical region of the Banat. Its capital was Lugoj. Severin County was established in 1926, disbanded with the administrative reform of 1938, re-created in 1 ...
where
Orsova was located is currently part of Mehedinti County.
It was bordered on the west by the
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia ( sh-Latn-Cyrl, separator=" / ", Kraljevina Jugoslavija, Краљевина Југославија; sl, Kraljevina Jugoslavija) was a state in Southeast and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1941. From 191 ...
, in the northwest by
Severin County
Severin County was a county ( Romanian: ''județ'') in the Kingdom of Romania, in the historical region of the Banat. Its capital was Lugoj. Severin County was established in 1926, disbanded with the administrative reform of 1938, re-created in 1 ...
, to the north by
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 a ...
, to the east by the counties of
Gorj and
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 count ...
, and in the south by the
Kingdom of Bulgaria.
Administration
The county was originally divided into four administrative districts (''
plăși''):
[Portretul României Interbelice - Județul Mehedinți]
/ref>
#Plasa Câmpul
#Plasa Cloșani, headquartered at Cloșani
#Plasa Motru, headquartered at 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, L ...
#Plasa Ocolul, headquartered at Turnu Severin
Subsequently, Plasa Câmpul was disbanded and replaced with five more districts:
#Plasa Bâcleș, headquartered at Bâcleș
#Plasa Broșteni, headquartered at Broșteni
#Plasa Cujmir, headquartered at Cujmiru
#Plasa Devesel, headquartered at Devesel
#Plasa Vânju Mare, headquartered at Vânju Mare
Vânju Mare is a small town located in Mehedinți County, Romania. Four villages are administered by the town: Bucura, Nicolae Bălcescu, Orevița Mare and Traian. It is situated in the historical region of Oltenia.
Natives
*Victor Gomoiu – su ...
Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 303,878 inhabitants, ethnically divided as follows: 98.7% Romanians, 1.2% Romanis, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the population was 99.0% Eastern Orthodox, 0.5% Roman Catholic, 0.2% Jewish, as well as other minorities.
Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population comprised 91.3% Romanians, 2.5% Germans, 1.3% Romanies, 1.3% Jews, 1.1% Serbs and Croats, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of 92.9% Eastern Orthodox, 4.3% Roman Catholic, 1.5% Jewish, 0.4% Greek Catholic, 0.4% Lutheran, as well as other minorities.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mehedinti County
Counties of 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