Hunedoara

Hunedoara County is located in western Romania, within the region of Transylvania. Its administrative center is Deva, which serves as the county's capital. Hunedoara County is bordered to the north and east by Alba County, to the west by Arad, Timiș, and Caraș-Severin counties, to the south by Gorj, and to the southeast by Vâlcea County. Covering an area of 7,063 km², it ranks as the ninth-largest county in Romania. The terrain is diverse: in the north and east lie parts of the Apuseni Mountains, while the south features the towering peaks of the Retezat and Parâng Mountains. The central region is traversed by the Mureș River valley, which serves as a vital transportation corridor and fertile agricultural zone. Hunedoara County boasts a rich natural and cultural heritage. The Retezat National Park, Romania's first national park, is renowned for its glacial lakes and rare flora and fauna. The county is also home to remnants of Dacian fortresses, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, including Sarmizegetusa Regia, the ancient Dacian capital. Among the county's cultural attractions is the Corvin Castle (Castelul Corvinilor) in Hunedoara, a prime example of Gothic architecture in Romania. Associated with the Hunyadi family, the castle now operates as a museum, showcasing medieval life and the region's history. Traditionally, the county's economy was centered on industry and mining, particularly in iron metallurgy and coal extraction. In recent decades, with the decline of heavy industry, efforts have been made to diversify the economy, emphasizing tourism and the service sector.