Petroșani

Petroșani is a city in Romania, in the southern part of Hunedoara County, in the Jiu valley. It is one of the main towns of the Jiu basin and the traditional center of the Valea Jiului area. Its development was long defined by coal mining. The city lies near the Retezat, Parâng, and Vâlcan Mountains, and its mountain setting is a defining part of its character. Petroșani is an important transport and service center among the settlements of the Jiu Valley. The city is home to a higher education institution that plays a role in the region's academic life. Rail and road links connect the valley with other parts of Transylvania and with Oltenia. The mining past remains central to local identity. Today the local economy also includes services, education, and tourism related to the surrounding mountain areas. Petroșani serves as a starting point for several nearby resort and hiking destinations. The city is an important Transylvanian example of 19th- and 20th-century industrialization.