Harghita

Harghita County, known in Hungarian as Hargita megye, is located in the eastern part of Transylvania, Romania. The county seat is Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda). It shares borders with Mureș County to the west, Brașov and Covasna counties to the south, Bacău and Neamț counties to the east, and Suceava County to the north. Harghita County was established in 1968 during Romania’s administrative reorganization, following the dissolution of the Mureș–Magyar Autonomous Region. It was formed mostly from the territories of the former Csík and Udvarhely counties. Harghita County covers an area of 6,639 km² and consists predominantly of the Eastern Carpathians, including the Ciuc Mountains, the Giurgeu Mountains, the Călimani Mountains, and the Harghita Mountains. These mountain ranges are primarily composed of volcanic plateaus, foothills, and densely populated river valleys. The mountains in Harghita County are of volcanic origin, making the region famous for its thermal springs. It is one of the coldest areas in Romania, with harsh winters, although summers can be surprisingly warm. If rainfall is sufficient, the local climate provides ideal conditions for forest mushrooms, which are a significant part of the region’s natural resources. Two of Romania’s most important rivers, the Mureș and the Olt, originate in Harghita County. These rivers begin their journey only a few kilometers apart, near Izvoru Mureșului (Marosfő) and Ciucsângeorgiu (Csíkszentdomokos). The Mureș flows westward before joining the Tisza River, while the Olt heads southward, ultimately merging with the Danube River. This natural phenomenon is the basis of the famous Transylvanian legend, "The Legend of the Mureș and the Olt." Harghita County is home to many breathtaking natural landscapes. One of its most iconic sites is Lake Sfânta Ana (Szent Anna-tó), a volcanic crater lake located in the southern part of the county, near Băile Tușnad (Tusnádfürdő). Another major attraction is Lake Red (Gyilkos-tó), a picturesque mountain lake near Gheorgheni (Gyergyószentmiklós). Additionally, the Bicaz Gorge (Békás-szoros) is an awe-inspiring canyon, carved by the Bicaz River, renowned for its dramatic cliffs and scenic beauty. Harghita County offers a unique combination of stunning mountain landscapes, rich natural resources, and a strong cultural identity, making it one of the most fascinating regions in Transylvania.