Maramureș

Maramureș County (Hungarian: Máramaros megye) is located in the northern part of Romania, within the region known as Partium. The county seat is Baia Mare (Hungarian: Nagybánya), with a population of approximately 139,870 inhabitants. It shares borders to the east with Suceava County, to the south with Sălaj, Cluj, and Bistrița-Năsăud counties, to the west with Satu Mare County, and to the north with Ukraine. Covering an area of 6,304 square kilometers, Maramureș County extends about 150 kilometers from north to south and approximately 80 kilometers from east to west. The county is predominantly characterized by the Maramureș Mountains and the Gutâi Mountains, which are part of the Eastern Carpathians. The highest point in the county is Pietrosu Peak, standing at 2,303 meters. The main river traversing the county is the Tisza, flowing from north to south and enriched by numerous tributaries. The county is rich in natural resources and cultural heritage. The Wooden Churches of Maramureș, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are renowned for their unique architectural style and historical significance. Within the county lie the Maramureș Gorge and the Bârsana Gorge, both impressive natural formations and popular tourist destinations. Traditionally, the county's economy was based on mining and forestry, but in recent decades, tourism and light industry have also become significant sectors. Baia Mare is famous for its art school, which at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries was a center of Hungarian painting.