Harghita County facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harghita County
Județul Harghita
Hargita megye
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Landscape around Lake Sfânta Ana, southern Harghita County
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Harghita county, territorial location
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| Country |  Romania |
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| Development region1 | Centru | |
| Historic region | Transylvania | |
| Capital city (Reședință de județ) | Miercurea Ciuc | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | County Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6,639 km2 (2,563 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 13th in Romania | |
| Population
(2021-12-01)
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| • Total | 291,950 | |
| • Rank | 33rd in Romania | |
| • Density | 46/km2 (120/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) | |
| Postal Code |
53wxyz3
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| Area code(s) | +40 x664 | |
| Car Plates | HR5 | |
| GDP | US$1.840 billion (2015) | |
| GDP per capita | US$6,033 (2015) | |
| Website | County Council County Prefecture |
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| 1The developing regions of Romania have no administrative role. They were formed just to attract funds from the European Union 2 The Prefect is a public official who makes sure the county follows national laws. This person is not allowed to be part of a political party. 3w, x, y, and z are digits that indicate the city, the street, part of the street, or even the building of the address 4x is a digit indicating the operator: 2 for the former national operator, Romtelecom, and 3 for the other ground telephone networks 5used on both the plates of the vehicles that operate only in the county limits (like utility vehicles, ATVs, etc.), and the ones used outside the county |
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Harghita County is a region in the middle of Romania. It is located in eastern Transylvania. Its main city is Miercurea Ciuc. The county is known for its beautiful mountains and unique culture.
Contents
People and Population
Harghita County is home to many different people. Most of the people here are Hungarians. They make up the largest group. There are also many Romanians and Romani.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Harghita County has changed over the years.
- In 2002, there were 326,222 people.
- In 2011, the population was 302,432.
- By 2021, the population was 291,950.
Who Lives Here?
Harghita County has the highest number of Hungarians in Romania. They are the main group in most towns. Romanians mostly live in the northern and eastern parts of the county.
Religions in Harghita
People in Harghita County follow different religions.
- Most people are Roman Catholic (about 65%).
- About 13% are Orthodox.
- Another 13% belong to Reformed churches.
- About 7% are Unitarian.
- The rest follow other religions.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1930 | 250,194 | — |
| 1948 | 258,495 | +0.18% |
| 1956 | 273,964 | +0.73% |
| 1966 | 282,392 | +0.30% |
| 1977 | 326,310 | +1.32% |
| 1992 | 347,637 | +0.42% |
| 2002 | 326,222 | −0.63% |
| 2011 | 304,969 | −0.75% |
| 2021 | 291,950 | −0.44% |
Geography and Nature
Harghita County covers an area of 6,639 square kilometers. It is mostly covered by mountains. These mountains are part of the Eastern Carpathians.
Mountains and Rivers
The mountains in Harghita were formed by volcanoes. This area is famous for its warm mineral springs. Harghita is one of the coldest regions in Romania. However, summers can be quite warm.
Two important rivers start in this county: the Mureș and the Olt. Their starting points are only a few miles apart. The Mureș flows west, while the Olt flows south. In the western part of the county, the two Târnava rivers flow into the Transylvanian Plateau.
Amazing Natural Sights
Harghita has many beautiful natural places to visit.
- Sfânta Ana Lake is a lake inside a volcanic crater. It is near the town of Băile Tușnad.
- Lacul Roșu (Red Lake) is a mountain lake in the northeast. It is close to Gheorgheni.
- Cheile Bicazului is a stunning, narrow canyon. It was carved by the Bicaz stream.
The county is also well-known for its spa resorts and natural mineral waters.
Neighboring Regions
Harghita County shares borders with several other counties:
- To the East: Neamț County and Bacău County.
- To the West: Mureș County.
- To the North: Suceava County.
- To the South: Brașov County and Covasna County.
Economy and Industries
The main ways people make a living in Harghita County are through different industries.
- Wood Industry: A large part of the economy (up to 30%) comes from processing wood.
- Food and Drinks: Making food and beverages is another important industry.
- Textiles and Leather: Processing fabrics and leather also plays a role.
- Mechanical Parts: Producing parts for machines is a key industry too.
Fun Things to Do and See
Harghita County offers many exciting places for visitors.
- Cities to Explore: You can visit the cities of Miercurea Ciuc, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Gheorgheni, and Toplița.
- Mountain Resorts: There are several popular mountain resorts, including:
- Băile Tușnad
- Borsec
- Lacul Roșu
- Izvorul Mureşului
- Harghita Băi
- Unique Lakes: Don't miss Lake Sfânta Ana, which is a lake inside a volcano!
- Hiking Trail: The Via Transilvanica is a long trail for hiking and biking that goes through the county.
How the County is Organized
Harghita County is divided into different types of areas to help manage it.
It has 4 main cities called municipalities, 5 towns, and 58 smaller areas called communes.
Main Cities (Municipalities)
- Gheorgheni
- Miercurea Ciuc – This is the county's capital city. In 2011, it had 37,980 people.
- Odorheiu Secuiesc
- Toplița
Towns
- Băile Tușnad
- Bălan
- Borsec
- Cristuru Secuiesc
- Vlăhița
- Praid
Communes (Smaller Areas)
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See also
In Spanish: Distrito Harghita para niños
