2011-12-07

Brașov, Romania




Brașov

Brașov
— City —
Brașov - medieval city

Coat of arms
Location of Brașov
Coordinates: 45°40′N 25°37′E / 45.667°N 25.617°ECoordinates: 45°40′N 25°37′E / 45.667°N 25.617°E
Country Romania
County Brașov County
Status County capital
Government
• Mayor George Scripcaru (Democratic Liberal Party)
Area
• City 267.2 km (103.2 sq mi)
• Metro 1,368.5 km (528.4 sq mi)
Elevation 600 m (1,969 ft)
Population (est. 2010)
• City 276,914
• Density 1,040/km (2,693.6/sq mi)
• Metro increase 402,041
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Website http://www.brasovcity.ro
Modelare 3D pentru Brasov, Romania.gif

Brașov (Romanian pronunciation: ( listen); German: Kronstadt; Hungarian: Brassó, Hungarian pronunciation: [’brɒʃʃoː]; Medieval Latin: Brassovia or Corona; 1950–1960: Orașul Stalin) is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.

According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania.

Brașov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km north of Bucharest. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians and is part of the Transylvania region.

The city is notable for being the birthplace of the national anthem of Romania and for hosting the Golden Stag International Music Festival.

Etymology

The city was first attested in 1235 AD under the name Corona, a Latin word meaning "crown", a name given by the German colonists. The current Romanian and Hungarian names are derived from the Turkic word barasu, meaning "white water" with a Slavic suffix -ov.

The first attested mention of Brașov is Terra Saxonum de Barasu ("Saxon Land of Baras") in a 1252 document. The German name Kronstadt means "Crown City" and is reflected in the city's coat of arms as well as in its Medieval Latin name, Corona. The two names of the city ', Kronstadt and Corona, were used simultaneously in the Middle Ages.

From 1950 to 1960, during part of the Communist period in Romania, the city was called Orașul Stalin (Stalin City), after the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

History

Economy

Industrial development in Brașov started in the inter-war period, with one of the largest factories being the airplane manufacturing plant (IAR Brașov), which produced the first Romanian fighter planes, which were used in World War II against the Soviets. After Communist rule was imposed, the plant was converted to manufacture of agricultural equipment, being renamed "Uzina Tractorul Brașov" (internationally known as Universal Tractor Brașov).

Industrialization was accelerated in the Communist era, with special emphasis being placed on heavy industry, attracting many workers from other parts of the country. Heavy industry is still abundant, including Roman, which manufactures MAN AG trucks as well as native-designed trucks and coaches. Although the industrial base has been in decline in recent years, Brașov is still a site for manufacturing agricultural tractors and machinery, hydraulic transmissions, auto parts, ball-bearings, helicopters (at the nearby IAR site in Ghimbav), building materials, tools, furniture, textiles, shoes and cosmetics. There are also chocolate factories and a large brewery. In particular, the pharmaceutical industry has undergone further development lately, with GlaxoSmithKline establishing a production site in Brașov.

A large longwave broadcasting facility is located near Brașov, at Bod.

Significant growth in real estate prices continues, along with other major Romanian cities, as investor sentiment remains high, given the large foreign direct investment influx, recent accession to the European Union and forthcoming airport. Like most of Romania and Poland, cities like Brașov are predicted to exhibit strong growth for many years to come. Many foreign investors are sourcing their own land, or engaging local firms to create holiday or investment property.

Demographics

Education

Primary Schools

Transportation

The Brașov local transport network is well-developed, with around 50 bus and trolleybus lines. There is also a regular bus line serving Poiana Brașov, a nearby winter resort. Because of its central location, the Brașov railway station is one of the busiest stations in Romania with trains to/from most destinations in the country served by rail.

The construction of Braşov Airport was initiated by Intelcan Canada on April 15, 2008. Construction is planned to be finalized in 24 to 30 months. The project consists of a terminal capable of handling 1 million passengers per year and a 2,800 meter-long runway. The A3 highway is also planned to pass the city.

Tourism

Sights

Twin cities

Sport

The city has a long tradition in sports, the first sport associations being established at the end of the 19th century (Target shooting Association, Gymnastics School). The Transylvanian Sports Museum is among the oldest in the country and presents the evolution of consecrated sports in the city. During the communist period, universiades and daciades (derived from "dacian") were held, where local sportmen were obliged to participate. Nowadays, the infrastructure of the city allows other sports to be practiced, such as football, rugby, tennis, cycling, handball, gliding, skiing, skating, mountain climbing, paintball, bowling, swimming, target shooting, basketball, martial arts, equestrian, volleyball or gymnastics. Annually, at "Olimpia" sports ground, the "Brașov Challenge Cup" tennis competition is held.

The only football champion team based in the city was Colţea Brașov, winning the championship in 1928 and managing second place in 1927, in only 10 years of existence (1921–1931). Is was succeeded by . Brașov hosted the Group A fixtures of the 2008 IIHF World Championship Division II ice hockey tournament. There were 15 games held between April 3 and April 13.

Brașov is set to host the 2013 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival.

Local teams

Sports venues

Gallery

See also

Notes

References

  • Coles, John; Harding, A.F. (1979). The Bronze Age in Europe pages 140’'. Routledge. ISBN 978-0416706505.
  • "O istorie a Braşovului" ("A history of Brasov") - Ion Dumitraşcu, Mariana Maximescu, Phoenix, Braşov, 2001
  • "Fortificaţia dacică de la Braşov - Pietrele lui Solomon" ("The Dacian citadel from Braşov - Pietrele lui Solomon"), Fl. Costea, CumidavaXX, Braşov, 1996
  • "Săpăturile de salvare de pe dealul Şprenghi" ("The diggings for saving [the archaeological evidences] from Şprenghi Hill" - the hill was a quarry) A. Alexandrescu, N. Constantinescu, Bucureşti, 1959
  • "Die spätneolitischen Ansiedlungen mit bemalter Keramik aus oberem Laufe des Altflusses", J. Teutsch, Mitteilungen der Prehistorischen Komision, I, Wien.

External links


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