Sinaia
361023
219042578
2008-06-13T08:59:57Z
El C
92203
/* Natural cure factors */ not sure what you're trying to say here...
{{Infobox Settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement-->
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_name = {{ROU}}
|timezone=[[Eastern European Time|EET]]
|utc_offset=+2
|timezone_DST=[[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
|utc_offset_DST=+3
|map_caption = Location of Sinaia|
|
official_name=Sinaia|
image_skyline=Sinaia4.jpg|
image_map=Sinaia in Romania.png|
image_shield=coa_sinaia_ro.png|
|subdivision_type1=[[Counties of Romania|County]]|
subdivision_name1=Prahova County|
|subdivision_type2=[[Subdivisions of Romania|Status]]|
subdivision_name2={{Autolink|Town}}|
|leader_title=[[Mayor]]|
leader_name=Vlad Gheorghe Oprea|
leader_party=[[National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]]|
|
area_total_km2=|
population_as_of=2002|
population_total=14636{{Coor dms|45|21|0|N|25|33|5|E|scale:50000}}|
website=http://www.primariasinaia.ro/|
}}
'''Sinaia''' ({{IPA|/si'na.ja/}}) (population: 14,636) is a mountain resort in [[Romania]]. The town was named after [[Sinaia Monastery]], around which it was built; the monastery in turn is named after the [[Biblical Mount Sinai]]. King [[Carol I of Romania]] built his summer home, [[Peleş Castle]], near the town.
Sinaia is about 60 km northwest of [[Ploieşti]] and 50 km south of [[Braşov]], in a mountainous area on the [[Prahova River]] valley, just east of the [[Bucegi Mountains]]. The altitude varies between 767 m and 860 m.
The city is a popular destination for hiking and winter sports, especially downhill skiing. Among the tourist landmarks, the most important are Peleş Castle, [[Pelişor]] Castle, Sinaia Monastery, [[Sinaia Casino]], [[Sinaia train station]], and the [[Franz Joseph and Saint Anne Cliffs]]. Sinaia was also the summer residence of the great Romanian composer [[George Enescu]], who stayed at the [[Luminiş]] villa.
==The climate==
[[Image:Sinaia Prahova old pic.jpg|thumb|250px|An [[1890]]s postcard image of Sinaia]]
The [[climate]] is a characteristic of low-altitude mountain passes.
Annual average temperature: 8°C;
Average temperature in June: 15°C;
Average temperature in January: -4°C.
Summers are bracing and very rainy in the beginning of the season. Winters are relatively mild, with heavy snow. Average annual rainfall is 900 mm. The maximum registered rainfall was in June (173 mm). The minimum rainfall was recorded in September (55 mm) and February (40mm).
A uniform layer of snow is deposited usually in November and it melts from March to April, sometimes at the beginning of May. The thickness of the snow layer varies between 20 centimeters and 3 meters in higher elevations.
In recent years, Sinaia has felt the effects of global climate change – change that has meant shorter summers, with temperatures frequently over 30°C, a slight reduction in the length of spring and autumn, and relatively longer winters (end of October – beginning of May), colder winters with entire weeks dominated by frost ( -19°C to -25°C) and numerous blizzards.
==Natural cure factors==
Proponents claim that Sinaia has a refreshing and stimulating a climate that is beneficial for the human body. There are also some mineral springs in Câinelui Valley that have sulphur-ferric mineral water and contain other soluble minerals.
==Nature preservation==
[[Image:Sinaia Monastery.jpg|thumb|200px|Sinaia Monastery]]
In the town of Sinaia and its surroundings restrictions are in place regarding cutting down or picking up [[Flora (plants)|flora]]. The felling of trees is not allowed. It is forbidden to pick up any alpine plants. Severe punishment may be in store for those who gather these plants: the [[Peony|Mountain Peony]] (''Rhododendron Kotsky''), [[Leontopodium|Edelweiss]] (''Leontopodium alpinum''), and the [[Gentiana|Yellow Gentiana]] (''Gentiana lutea''). Tourist camping is only authorized in designated places, following necessary and compulsory protection standards.
The mountainous area in which Sinaia is located is in the [[Bucegi Natural Park]] region. The Park covers a total area of 326.63 square kilometres, of which 58.05 square kilometres are under strict protection and shelter natural monuments. The Bucegi Natural Preserve area includes all the abrupt areas of the mountains Vârful cu Dor, Furnica, and Piatra Arsă. The mountainous area is continuously patrolled by mountain rescue patrols as well as by members of the Mountain Police.
At the entrance to the Cumpătu district, one can find the “Sinaia alder-tree grove” botanical reservation placed under the protection of the [[Romanian Academy]] and the Bucharest Biology Institute. In the same district, there is also another ecological research station under the patronage of [[UNESCO]] – [[Jacques-Yves Cousteau]], belonging to the [[University of Bucharest]], which also includes a museum of Bucegi Mountains fauna in a laboratory for nature protection.
==Notable residents==
# [[George Enescu]]
# [[Kings of Romania|Romanian Royal family]]
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Romania Sinaia city hall.jpg|The Sinaia City Hall
Image:sinaia4.jpg|High Street, Sinaia
Image:Sinaia Seilbahn.jpg|The Sinaia cable car
Image:Sinaia Omul Cross.jpg|The Heroes' Cross
</gallery>
==External links==
{{commonscat|Sinaia}}
*{{wikitravel}}
*[http://www.montania.ro Tourist information, Ski map and Ski touring in Bucegi Mountains]
{{Romanian mountain resorts}}
{{Prahova County}}
[[Category:Cities in Romania]]
[[Category:Prahova County]]
[[Category:Prahova Valley]]
[[Category:Ski areas and resorts in Romania]]
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