Transylvania 30853 225675670 2008-07-14T21:11:30Z 85.219.6.39 /* Population */ [[Image:TransylvaniaProper.svg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Romania with Transylvania. The light yellow areas correspond to the core territory of the historic Voivodeship. The [[Historical_regions_of_Romania|regions]] marked in dark yellow, corresponding to Maramureş, Crişana and the Romanian Banat, are sometimes considered part of Transylvania.]] '''Transylvania''' ({{lang-ro|Ardeal}} or {{lang|ro|''Transilvania''}}; {{lang-hu|Erdély}}; {{Audio-de|Siebenbürgen|De-Siebenbürgen.ogg}}, see also [[List_of_European_regions_with_alternative_names#T|other denominations]]) is a Central European region located in the eastern half of the [[Carpathian_basin|Carpathian Basin]], in present-day central [[Romania]]. Bounded in the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historic Transylvania extended in the west to the [[Apuseni Mountains]] however, since 1919, Transylvania also encompasses, in the north-west, parts of the historical regions of [[Crişana]] and [[Maramureş]] (see also [[Partium]]), and in the west, eastern-[[Banat|(Romanian) Banat]]. Outside Romania, it is strongly associated with the novel ''[[Dracula]]'',<ref>[http://www.afn.org/~vampires/tsd.html Transylvania Society of Dracula Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http:/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6DE143BF931A1575BC0A965958260 TRAVEL ADVISORY Lure of Dracula In Transylvania - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.icromania.com/infoTransylvania.asp Romania Transylvania<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> while within Romania and Hungary the region is known for the scenic beauty of its [[Carpathians|Carpathian]] landscape and its rich [[History of Transylvania|history]]. == Etymology == [[Image:Transylvania location.svg|thumb|300px|Location of Transylvania, Banat, Crişana and Maramureş in Europe]] {{main|Historical names of Transylvania}} Transylvania was first referred to in a [[Medieval Latin]] document in 1075 as ''ultra silvam'', meaning "exceedingly forested" (''ultra'' meaning "excessively or beyond what is common" and the [[accusative case]] of ''sylva'' (sylvam) meaning "wood or forest"). The modern English name is probably taken from the [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''Erdély,'' which is derived from ''Erdő-elve'' meaning ''"beyond the forest"'' (a meaning first referred to in its Medieval Latin version in a 12th century document - ''[[Gesta Hungarorum]]''). "Transylvania" means "beyond the forest" (''trans'' meaning "across, over, beyond"). The [[German language|German]] name ''Siebenbürgen'' means "seven fortresses", after the seven ([[ethnic German]]) [[Transylvanian Saxons]]' cities in the region ([[Braşov|Kronstadt]], [[Sighisoara|Schäßburg]], [[Mediaş|Mediasch]], [[Sibiu|Hermannstadt]], [[Sebeş|Mühlbach]], [[Bistriţa|Bistritz]] and [[Cluj-Napoca|Klausenburg]]). This is also the origin of many other language's name for the region, such as the [[Polish language|Polish]] ''siedmiogród''. The origin of the [[Romanian language|Romanian]] name ''Ardeal'' is controversial. The first known occurrence of the Romanian name appeared in a document in 1432 as ''Ardeliu''.<ref name="Ardeliu">{{citation | last= Pascu | first= Ştefan | title= Voievodatul Transilvaniei | volume= I | year= 1972 | pages= 22}}</ref> It may be a borrowing of the Hungarian name ''Erdély'', as is the [[Romani language|Romani]] name ''Ardyalo'' - in old Hungarian, ''Erdély'' was pronounced as ''Erdél''. The initial ''e-'' in Hungarian occasionally changes to ''a'' in Romanian (cf. Hung. ''egres'' "gooseberry" and ''Egyed'', which became ''agriş'' and ''[[Adjud]]'' in Romanian). Another hypothesis is that the name is a result of an [[elision]] from the words ''aur'' and ''deal'' (gold and hill, respectively), resulting in ''Ardeal'' from the composed word ''Aur-deal''. It may also take its origin from the [[Khazar]] word “Ardil-land” ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] „Eretz Ardil”, „ארדיל”), from the Celtic "Arduenna" (forest), reflected in other names such as [[Arda]], [[Ardal]], [[Ardistan]], [[Ardiche]], [[Ardennes]], [[Ardelt]] and [[Ardilla]], or from the [[Sanskrit]] ''Har-Deal''. See also [[List of European regions with alternative names#T|other languages]]. ==History== {{main|History of Transylvania}} In its early history, the territory of Transylvania belonged to a variety of empires and states, including [[Dacia]], the [[Roman Empire]], the [[Hun Empire]] and the [[Gepid|Gepid Kingdom]]<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Transylvania |url=http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/33.html |publisher=Atlantic Research and Publications, Inc. |author=Béla Köpeczi (editor) |accessdate=2007-01-29}}</ref>. There were also periods when autonomus political entities raised under the control of the Byzantine and the [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgarian Empire]]<ref>[http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/49.html 6. SOUTHERN TRANSYLVANIA UNDER BULGAR RULE<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. As a political entity, (Southern) Transylvania is mentioned from the 12th century as a [[county]](Alba) of the [[Kingdom of Hungary]] (''M. princeps ultrasilvanus - comes Bellegratae''). Transylvania's seven counties were brought under the voivode's (count of [[Alba Iulia]]) rule in 1263. It then became an autonomous [[Principality of Transylvania|principality]] under nominal [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[suzerainty]] in 1571. A few centuries later, in 1688, it was added to the expanding territories of [[Habsburg Monarchy]], then became again a part of the [[Kingdom of Hungary]] within the newly established [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] in 1867. Since [[World War I]], it has been part of [[Romania]], apart from a brief period of Hungarian occupation during [[World War II]]. [[Cluj-Napoca]] is today considered to be the region's spiritual capital, although Transylvania was also ruled from [[Alba Iulia]] during its period as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire, and from [[Sibiu]], where the [[Habsburg Empire|Habsburg]] governor was located from 1711 to 1848. The seat of the [[Transylvanian Diet]] was itself moved to Sibiu for some time in the 19th century. Since medieval times, the population of the region has been a mixture of ethnic [[Romanian people|Romanians]] (historically known as [[Vlachs]]), [[Hungarian people|Hungarians]], the ethnic Hungarian<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Szekler|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/579333/Szekler|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]]|date=2008|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> [[Székely]] people, [[German people|Germans]] (known as [[Transylvanian Saxons|Saxons]]), [[Armenian people|Armenians]] (especially in [[Gherla|Gherla (Armenopolis)]], [[Gheorgheni]] and [[Tarnaveni]]), [[Jewish people|Jews]] and [[Roma people|Roma]] (known as [[Gypsies]] or "tatars" - ''Tatern'' in [[Transylvanian Saxons|Transylvanian Saxon]] or ''tătăraşi'' in [[Romanian language|Romanian]]). ===The Ancient Kingdom of Dacia and Roman Rule=== The [[Dacia|Kingdom of Dacia]] was in existence at least as early as the beginning of the 2nd century BC, and it reached its maximum extent under the rule of [[Burebista]]. The area now constituting Transylvania was the political center of the ancient kingdom, where several important fortified cities were built, among them [[Sarmizegetusa]], near today's [[Hunedoara]]. In 101-102 and 105-106, [[Roman Empire|Roman]] forces under the Emperor [[Trajan]] fought a series of [[Dacian Wars|military campaigns]] to subjugate Dacia. After the suicide of the Dacian ruler [[Decebalus]], parts of Dacia were incorporated into the Roman Empire, this being traditionally considered the starting moment for the birth of the Romanion nation. During Hadrian (117-135) the current territory of Transylvania was included in Dacia Superior. During Antoninus Pius (138-161) the same territory was included in the provinces Dacia Porolissensis (capital at Porolissum) and Dacia Apulensis (capital at Apulum).The Romans built mines, roads and forts in the province. Colonists from other Roman provinces were brought in to settle the land and cities like ''Apulum'' (now [[Alba Iulia]]), ''Napoca'' (now [[Cluj-Napoca]]), Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa and Aquae appeared. During the Roman administration also Christianity entered the current territory of Transylvania from the neighbouring Roman provinces where according to the tradition of the Romanian Orthodox Church St. Peter preached. The Dacians from outside the Roman Empire attacked frequently, and due to increasing pressure from the [[Visigoths]], the Romans abandoned the province during the reign of the Emperor [[Aurelian]] in 271. As across much of Europe, a period of chaos and conquests followed after the collapse of Roman rule. However, as shown by the archeological research, many of the Roman cities continued to exist, building fortifications. Also Christianity survived as proved by the many artifacts discovered. Among the most famous is the donarium from Biertan (4th century) having the inscription 'Ego Zenovius votvm posui' (I, Zenovie, offered this). The territory fell under the control of the Visigoths and [[Carpians]] until they were in turn displaced and subdued by the [[Huns]] in 376, under the leadership of their infamous warlord [[Attila]]. After the disintegration of Attila's empire, the Huns were succeeded by Gepids of [[Eurasian Avar]] descent. The region was also influenced during this period by massive [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] immigration. At the beginning of the 9th century, Transylvania, along with eastern [[Pannonia]], was under the control of the [[First Bulgarian Empire]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. After a brief period of Bulgarian rule, the territory, partially under Byzantine control, was slowly incorporated (following 200 years of fights with local lords) into the [[Kingdom of Hungary]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} ===Transylvania in the Kingdom of Hungary=== At the beginning of the 9th century the Hungarian tribes, were located in the north of the Black Sea. In 895 as a result of a planned 'conquest' and a massive withdrawal caused by a [[Bulgarian-Hungarian_Wars#Hungarian conquest (War of 894-896)|Bulgarian-Pecheneg attack]] they established in the Upper-[[Tisza]] region and Transylvania and started to expand their territories towards west only in 899. According to [[Gesta Hungarorum]] describing among others the conquest of Transylvania, three statal structures were encountered and defeated by the Magyars, ruled by [[Menumorut]], [[Glad]] and [[Gelu]] however even the exitence of these rulers is controversial. The early 11th century was marked by the conflict between [[List of Hungarian rulers|King]] [[Stephen I of Hungary]] and his uncle [[Gyula]], the ruler of Transylvania. The Hungarian ruler was successful in these wars, and Transylvania was incorporated into the Christian Kingdom of Hungary. The Transylvanian [[Christian]] [[bishopric]] and the [[Comitatus (Kingdom of Hungary)|comitatus system]] were organised. By the early 11th century the ethnic [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] [[History_of_the_Sz%C3%A9kely_people|Székely]] were established in southeastern Transylvania as a border population of ready warriors, and in the 12th and 13th centuries, the areas in the south and northeast were settled by [[Germans|German]] colonists called [[Transylvanian Saxons|Saxons]]. Romanians maintained control over a few autonomous regions called 'terrae': Fagaras, Amlas. Hateg, Maramures, Lapus. However the autonomy was taken by the end of Arpadian dinasty in 1301. In 1241-1242, during the [[Mongol invasion of Europe]], Transylvania was among the territories devastated by the Golden Horde. A large portion of the population perished. This was followed by a second Mongol invasion in 1285, led by [[Nogai Khan]]. Following this devastation, Transylvania was reorganized according to a [[Social class|class]] system of [[Estate of the realm|Estates]], which established privileged groups (''universitates'') with power and influence in economic and political life, as well as along ethnic lines. The first Estate was the lay and ecclesiastic aristocracy, ethnically heterogeneous, but undergoing a process of homogenization around its Hungarian nucleus. The other Estates were Saxons, Szeklers and Romanians (or [[Vlachs]] - ''[[Universitas Valachorum]]''), all with an ethnic and ethno-linguistic basis (''Universis nobilibus, Saxonibus, Syculis et Olachis''). The general assembly (''congregatio generalis'') of the four Estates had few genuine legislative powers in Transylvania, but it sometimes took measures regarding order in the country. [[Image:Iancu Hunedoara.jpg|thumb|right|130px|[[John Hunyadi]]]] A key figure to emerge in Transylvania in the first half of the 15th century was [[John Hunyadi]]. His military campaigns against the [[Ottoman Empire]] brought him the status of Transylvanian [[governor]] in 1446 and [[Pope|papal]] recognition as the [[List of Transylvanian rulers|Prince]] of Transylvania in 1448. After the suppression of the [[Bobâlna revolt|Budai Nagy Antal]]-revolt in 1437, the political system was based on ''[[Unio Trium Nationum]]'' (''The Union of the Three Nations''). According to the Union, which was explicitly directed against [[Serfdom|serfs]] and other peasants, society was ruled by three [[privilege]]d [[Estate of the realm|Estates]] of the [[Nobility and Royalty of the Kingdom of Hungary|nobility]] (mostly ethnic Hungarians), the [[Székely]]s, also an ethnic Hungarian people who primarily served as warriors, and the ethnic German, Saxon [[Bourgeoisie|burghers]]. The only possibility for Romanians to retain or access nobility in Hungarian Transylvania was through [[Religious conversion|conversion]] to [[Roman Catholicism|Catholicism]]. Some [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] Romanian nobles converted, becoming integrated into the Hungarian nobility. These circumstances marked the beginning of a conflict between ethnic Hungarian Catholics and ethnic Romanian Orthodox in the territory of Transylvania which in some regions remains unresolved to this very day.<ref>[http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/62/456.html Romania Confronts Transylvanian Separatism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Transylvania as an Independent Principality=== [[Image:Stefan Batory King of Poland.jpg|thumb|right|110px|[[Stephen Báthory]], prince of Transylvania and later [[King of Poland]]]] The 16th century in [[Southeastern Europe]] was marked by the struggle between the [[Islam|Muslim]] [[Ottoman Empire]] and the [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] [[Habsburg Empire]]. After the Ottoman Sultan [[Suleiman the Magnificent]] overran central Hungary (see [[Ottoman Hungary]]), Transylvania became a semi-independent principality where [[Austrian Empire|Austrian]] and Turkish influences vied for supremacy for nearly two centuries. It is this period of independence and Turkish influence that contributed to Transylvania being seen as [[orientalism|exotic]] in the eyes of [[Victorian era|Victorian]]s such as [[Bram Stoker]], whose novel ''[[Dracula]]'' was published in 1897.<ref>[http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/uni/nec/coundour92.htm ELENI COUNDOURIOTIS, Dracula and the Idea of Europe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Due to the fact that Transylvania was now beyond the reach of [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] religious authority, [[Protestant]] preaching such as [[Lutheran]]ism and [[Calvinist|Calvinism]] were able to flourish in the region. In 1568 the [[Edict of Turda]] proclaimed four religious expressions in Transylvania - [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]], [[Lutheran]]ism, [[Calvinism]] and [[Unitarianism]], while [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodoxy]], which was the confession of the Romanian population, was proclaimed as "tolerated" (''tolerata''). The [[Báthory]] family began to rule Transylvania as princes under the Ottomans in 1571, and briefly under [[Habsburg Monarchy|Habsburg]] suzerainty until 1600. The latter period of their rule saw a four-sided conflict in Transylvania involving the Transylvanian Báthorys, the emerging [[Austrian Empire]], the Ottoman Empire, and the Romanian voivoideship (province) of [[Wallachia]]. This included a brief period of Romanian rule after the conquest of the territory by [[Wallachia]]n voivod [[Michael the Brave]]. As he subsequently extended his rule over Moldavia, Michael the Brave unified for the first time in history all the territories where Romanians lived. [[Image:Stephan Bocskay.png|thumb|right|150px|[[Stephen Bocskay]]]] The [[Calvinist]] magnate of [[Bihar (Hungary)|Bihar county]] [[Stephen Bocskai]] managed to obtain, through the Peace of [[Vienna]] ([[June 23]], [[1606]]), religious liberty and political autonomy for the region, the restoration of all confiscated estates, the repeal of all "unrighteous" judgments, as well as his own recognition as independent sovereign prince of an enlarged Transylvania. Under Bocskai's successors, most notably [[Gabriel Bethlen]] and [[George I Rákóczi]], Transylvania passed through a [[golden age]] for many religious movements and for the arts and culture. Transylvania became one of the few European States where [[Roman Catholic]]s, [[Calvinist]]s, [[Lutheran]]s and [[Unitarian]]s lived in peace, although [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[Romanians]] continued to be denied equal recognition. This golden age and relative independence of Transylvania ended with the reign of [[George II Rákóczi]]. The prince, coveting the Polish crown, allied with Sweden and invaded [[Poland]] in spite of the Turkish [[Porte]] clearly prohibiting any military action. Rákóczi's defeat in Poland, combined with the subsequent invasions of Transylvania by the Turks and their Crimean Tatar allies, the ensuing loss of territory (most importantly, the loss of the most important Transylvanian stronghold, [[Oradea]]) and diminishing manpower led to the complete subordination of Transylvania, which now became a powerless vassal of the Ottoman Empire. ===Within the Habsburg Empire=== [[Image:Brukenthal.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Samuel von Brukenthal]]]] After the defeat of the Ottomans at the [[Battle of Vienna]] in 1683, the Habsburgs gradually began to impose their rule on the formerly autonomous Transylvania. Apart from strengthening the central government and administration, the Habsburgs also promoted the Roman Catholic Church, both as a uniting force and also as an instrument to reduce the influence of the Protestant nobility. In addition, they tried to persuade Romanian Orthodox clergymen to join the [[Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic|Greek (Byzantine Rite) Catholic Church in union with Rome]]. As a response to this policy, several peaceful movements of the Romanian Orthodox population advocated for freedom of worship for all the Transylvanian population, most notably being the movements led by Visarion Sarai, Nicolae Oprea Miclăuş and [[Sofronie of Cioara]]. From 1711 onward, the princes of Transylvania were replaced with Austrian governors and in 1765 Transylvania was declared a grand principality. The [[The Revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas|revolutionary year 1848]] was marked by a great struggle between the Hungarians, the Romanians and the Habsburg Empire. Warfare erupted in November with both Romanian and Saxon troops, under Austrian command, battling the Hungarians led by the Polish born general [[Józef Bem]]. He carried out a sweeping offensive through Transylvania, and [[Avram Iancu]] managed to retreat to the harsh terrain of the [[Apuseni Mountains]], mounting a [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] campaign on Bem's forces. After the intervention by the armies of Tsar [[Nicholas I of Russia]], Bem's army was defeated decisively at the Battle of [[Timişoara]] (Temesvár, Hun.) on [[9 August]] [[1849]]. Having quashed the revolution, Austria imposed a repressive regime on Hungary, ruled Transylvania directly through a military governor <!-- ? and many medieval privileges ?-->and granted citizenship to the Romanians.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The 300-year long special separate status came to an end by the [[Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867]], which established the [[dual monarchy]] and reincorporated Transylvania into the [[Kingdom of Hungary]]. On 20 June 1867, the [[diet (assembly)|Diet]] was dissolved by royal decree, and an ordinance abrogated the legislative acts of the [[Cluj-Napoca]] provincial assembly. The department of the interior inherited the responsibilities of the [[Transylvanian Gubernium]], and the government reserved the right to name Transylvania's royal magistrates as well the Saxon bailiff of the Universitas Saxorum. Hungarian legislation also came to supersede the Austrian code of civil procedure, penal law, commercial law, and regulations for bills of exchange. The new unity of Austria-Hungary created a process of Magyarization affecting Transylvania's Romanians and German Saxons. ===As Part of Romania=== [[Image:Iuliu Maniu.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Iuliu Maniu]]]] Since the [[Austro-Hungarian]] empire had begun to disintegrate after the end of [[World War I]], the nationalities living inside proclaimed their independence from the empire. The 1228-member National Assembly of Romanians of Transylvania and Hungary, headed by leaders of Transylvania's [[Romanian National Party]] and [[Social Democratic Party of Transylvania and Banat|Social Democratic Party]], passed a resolution calling for unification of all Romanians in a single state on 1 December in [[Alba Iulia]].<ref name="nationalday">{{cite web | title= December 1 - Romania National Day | publisher= Honorary Consul of Romania in Boston | url= http://www.roconsulboston.com/Pages/InfoPages/History/December1.html | accessdate= 2008-01-12}}</ref> This was approved by the National Council of the Germans from Transylvania and the Council of the [[Danube Swabians]] from the [[Banat]], on [[15 December]] in [[Mediaş]]. In response, the Hungarian General Assembly of [[Cluj-Napoca|Cluj]] reaffirmed the loyalty of Hungarians from Transylvania to Hungary on [[December 22]], 1918. (''See also: [[Union of Transylvania with Romania]]'') The [[Treaty of Versailles]] placed Transylvania under the sovereignty of Romania, an ally of the [[Triple Entente]], and after the defeat in 1919 of [[Béla Kun]]'s [[Hungarian Soviet Republic]] by the Romanian army the [[Treaty of St. Germain]] (1919) and the [[Treaty of Trianon]] (signed in June 1920) further elaborated the status of Transylvania and defined the new border between the states of Hungary and Romania.<ref name="treaties">{{cite web | last= Bachman | first= Robert D. | title= Romania: A Country Study | date= 1989 | url= http://countrystudies.us/romania/20.htm | accessdate= 2008-01-12}}</ref><ref name="Trianon">{{cite web | title= Trianon, Treaty of | publisher= [[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | url= http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9073332/Treaty-of-Trianon | accessdate= 2008-01-12}}</ref> King [[Ferdinand I of Romania]] and Queen [[Marie of Edinburgh|Maria of Romania]] were crowned at Alba Iulia in 1922 as King and Queen of all Romania. In August 1940, the second [[Vienna Awards|Vienna Award]] granted the [[Northern Transylvania|northern half of Transylvania]] to [[Hungary]]. After the [[Paris Peace Treaties, 1947|Treaty of Paris]] (1947), at the end of [[World War II]], the territory was returned to [[Romania]]. The post-WWII borders with [[Hungary]], agreed on at the Treaty of Paris, were identical with those set out in 1920. After World War II and especially after the fall of Communism, Transylvania lost almost all of the German-speaking population, most of whom have emigrated to Germany. From the late 1990s a growing number of ethnic Hungarian political leaders have pressed for [[autonomy]] in [[Székely Land]]<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|title=Kosovo’s Actions Hearten a Hungarian Enclave|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/world/europe/07hungarians.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Szekler&st=nyt&oref=slogin|date=2008-04-07|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref>. ==Historical coat of arms of Transylvania== {{main|Coat of arms of Transylvania}} The [[Transylvanian Diet|Diet]] of 1659 codified the representation of the privileged nations in Transylvania's [[coat of arms]]. It depicts: * A black [[turul]] on a blue background, representing the medieval nobility, which was primarily [[Magyars|Magyar]]. * The [[Sun]] and the [[crescent|Moon]] representing the [[Székely]]s. * Seven red towers on a yellow background representing the seven fortified cities of the [[Transylvanian Saxons]] (The red dividing band was originally not part of the coat of arms.) <gallery> Image:Coat of arms of Transylvania.svg|Coat of Arms of 1659 Image:Flag of Transylvania before 1918.svg|''Landesfarben'' of Transylvania in [[Austria-Hungary]], reflecting the [[Tincture (heraldry)|tinctures]] of the coat-of-arms Image:Coat of Arms Kingdom of Hungary.jpg|As part of the [[coat of arms of Hungary]] before the [[Treaty of Trianon]] in 1920 Image:Coat_of_arms_of_Romania.svg|As in the [[coat of arms of Romania]] at present </gallery> ==Geography and ethnography== [[Image:TransylvaniaEthnography ro.png|thumb|right|200px|Romanian ethnographic regions (Transylvania-red; Maramureş-blue; Sǎtmar-green; Crişana-yellow; Banat-purple)]] [[Image:TransylvaniaEthnography hu.png|thumb|right|200px|Hungarian ethnographic regions (King's Pass - yellow; Western Transylvania - green; Eastern Transylvania - blue)]] The Transylvanian plateau, 300 to 500 metres (1,000-1,600 feet) high, is drained by the [[Mureş River|Mureş]], [[Someş River|Someş]], [[Criş River|Criş]], and [[Olt River|Olt]] rivers, as well as other tributaries of the [[Danube]]. This core of historical Transylvania roughly corresponds with nine counties of modern Romania. Other areas to the west and north, which also united with Romania in 1918 (inside the border established by peace treaties in 1919-20), are since that time widely considered part of Transylvania. *Transylvania proper: **[[Amlaş]] **[[Ţara Bârsei]] **[[Chioar]] **[[Ciceu]] **[[Făgăraş]] **[[Haţeg]] **[[Mărginimea Sibiului]] **[[Câmpia Transilvaniei]] **[[Ţara Moţilor]] **[[Ţara Năsăudului]] **[[Ţinutul Pădurenilor]] *[[Banat]] *[[Crişana]] **[[Ţara Zarandului]] *[[Maramureş historical region|Maramureş]] **[[Ţara Lǎpuşului]] **[[Oaş Country|Ţara Oaşului]] ''See also [[Administrative divisions of the Kingdom of Hungary]]''. In common reference, the Western border of Transylvania has come to be identified with the present [[Romania|Romanian]]-[[Hungary|Hungarian]] border, settled in the Treaty of Trianon, although geographically the two are not identical. ==Administrative divisions== {{Transylvania Labelled Map|float=right}} The historical region granted to Romania in [[1920]] covered 23 counties including nearly 102,200 km² (102,787 - 103,093 in Hungarian sources and 102,200 in contemporany Romanian documents) now due to the several administrative reorganisations Transylvania covers 16 present-day [[Counties of Romania|counties]] ([[Romanian language|Romanian]]: ''[[judeţ]]'') which include nearly 99,837 km² of central and northwest Romania. The 16 counties are: * [[Alba County|Alba]] * [[Arad County|Arad]] * [[Bihor County|Bihor]] * [[Bistriţa-Năsăud County|Bistriţa-Năsăud]] * [[Braşov County|Braşov]] * [[Caraş-Severin County|Caraş-Severin]] * [[Cluj County|Cluj]] * [[Covasna County|Covasna]] * [[Harghita County|Harghita]] * [[Hunedoara County|Hunedoara]] * [[Maramureş County|Maramureş]] * [[Mureş County|Mureş]] * [[Sălaj County|Sălaj]] * [[Satu Mare County|Satu Mare]] * [[Sibiu County|Sibiu]] * [[Timiş County|Timiş]] The most populous cities are: * [[Cluj-Napoca]] (318,027) * [[Timişoara]] (317,651) * [[Braşov]] (283,901) * [[Oradea]] (206,527) * [[Arad, Romania|Arad]] (172,824) * [[Sibiu]] (155,045) * [[Târgu Mureş]] (149,577) * [[Baia Mare]] (137,976) * [[Satu Mare]] (115,630) ==Population== Historic definitions of Transylvania vary geographically. The 2002 Romanian census classified Transylvania as the entire region of [[Romania]] west of the [[Carpathians]]. This region has a population of 7,221,733, with a large Romanian majority (75,9%). There are also sizeable [[Hungarian minority in Romania|Hungarian]] (20%), [[Roma minority in Romania|Roma]] (3.3%), [[Transylvanian Saxons|German]] (0.7%) and [[Serbs of Romania|Serb]] (0.1%) communities. <ref>2002 Census official results: [http://www.recensamant.ro/]</ref> <ref>''Ethnocultural Diversity Resource Centre'' database:[http://www.edrc.ro/recensamant.jsp?language=0]</ref> The ethnic Hungarian population of Transylvania, largely composed of [[Székely]], form a majority in the counties of [[Covasna County|Covasna]] and [[Harghita County|Harghita]]. The percentage of Romanians has increased since the union of Transylvania with Romania after [[World War I]] in [[1918]]. This is due to the emigration of non-Romanian peoples, the extermination of the local Jewish population in the [[Holocaust]], assimilation and internal migration within Romania (estimates show that between 1945 and 1977, some 630,000 people moved from the [[Romanian Old Kingdom|Old Kingdom]] to Transylvania, and 280,000 from Transylvania to the Old Kingdom, most notably to [[Bucharest]]).<ref>Varga, E. Árpád, [http://www.kia.hu/konyvtar/erdely/erdang.htm ''Hungarians in Transylvania between 1870 and 1995''], Translation by Tamás Sályi, Budapest, March 1999 , p. 27.</ref> The assimilation process for Hungarians slowed during the first stages of the communist era, when most of the region's ethnic Hungarian population was granted nominal [[Hungarian Autonomous Province|political autonomy]], but accelerated under the [[Communist Romania#The Ceauşescu regime|Ceauşescu regime]]. ''For people connected to Transylvania's cultural life see: [[List of Transylvanians]].'' == Economy == Transylvania is rich in mineral resources, notably [[lignite]], [[iron]], [[lead]], [[manganese]], [[gold]], [[copper]], [[natural gas]], [[salt]] and [[sulfur]]. There are large iron and [[steel]], chemical, and [[textile]] industries. Stock raising, [[agriculture]], [[wine]] production and fruit growing are important occupations. [[Timber]] is another valuable resource. Transylvania accounts for around 35% of Romania's GDP, and has a GDP per capita (PPP) of around $11,500, around 10% higher than the Romanian average. ==Tourist attractions== * The [[medieval]] cities of [[Alba Iulia]], [[Cluj-Napoca]], [[Sibiu]] (European Capital Of Culture-2007) , [[Târgu Mureş]] and [[Sighişoara]] * The city of [[Braşov]] and the nearby [[Poiana Braşov]] ski resort * The city of [[Hunedoara]] with the 14th century [[Hunyadi Castle]] * The citadel and the [[Art Nouveau]] city centre of [[Oradea]] * The [[Wooden Churches of Maramures|Wooden Churches]] of the [[Maramureş region]] * The [[Dacian Fortresses of the Orăştie Mountains]], including [[Sarmizegetusa]] * [[Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania|The Saxon fortified churches]] * [[Hungarian culture|Hungarian]] traditions and folk culture * The [[coffeehouse|cafe culture]] [http://sibiupeople.ro/en/reports/732], [[street theatre]] and [[multiculturalism|cosmopolitan society]] of [[Sibiu]] <center><gallery> image:Timisoara cathedral.jpg|Orthodox Cathedral in [[Timişoara]] Image:Arad cultural center.jpg|[[Arad, Romania|Arad]] cultural center Image:Sârbi Josani.jpg|[[Wooden Churches of Maramureş|Wooden church in Maramureş]] image:CJROothodox.jpg|[[Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, Cluj-Napoca|Orthodox Cathedral]] in [[Cluj-Napoca]] Image:Arad evangelic church.jpg|Arad Evangelical church Image:Bran Castle.jpg|[[Bran Castle]] image:Biserica neagra 1.JPG|Black Church in [[Braşov]] image:Centru bv.JPG|Braşov Council Square (Piaţa Sfatului) image:CJROcatholic.jpg|[[St. Michael's Church, Cluj-Napoca|Catholic Church]] in [[Cluj-Napoca]] Image:Oradea theatre.jpg|The Theatre in [[Oradea]] Image:OradeaTownHall.jpg|The town hall in [[Oradea]] Image:DaciaSatuMare.jpg|Dacia Hotel in [[Satu Mare]] image:Sibiu.jpg|View of [[Sibiu]] Image:Sighişoara clock tower.jpg|[[Sighişoara]] clock tower Image:Sighisoara IMG 5624.jpg|View of [[Sighişoara]] Image:Timisoara Dome.jpg|The Catholic Cathedral in [[Timişoara]] </gallery></center> ==Transylvania in fiction== {{Main|Transylvania in fiction}} Transylvania's long history of Muslim Turkish influence{{Clarifyme|date=May 2008}}, as well as its late [[industrialization]] (which meant that in the late 19th century, Transylvania was still mostly covered with wilderness{{Fact|date=May 2008}}), created an [[orientalism|orientalist]] fascination with the region by a number of notable [[Victorian literature|Victorian]] writers. Following the publication of [[Emily Gerard]]'s ''The Land Beyond the Forest'' (1888), [[Bram Stoker]] wrote his [[gothic horror]] novel ''[[Dracula]]'' in 1897, using Transylvania as a setting. Due to the success of the latter work, Transylvania became associated in the English-speaking world with [[vampire]]s. Since then it has been represented in fiction and literature as a land of mystery and magic. For example, in [[Paulo Coelho]]'s novel [[The Witch of Portobello]], the main character, Sherine Khalil, is described as a Transylvanian orphan with a [[Roma people|Romani]] mother, in an effort to add to the character's exotic mystique. The so-called Transylvanian trilogy of historical novels by [[Miklos Banffy]], ''The Writing on the Wall'', is an extended treatment of the 19th and early 20th century social and political history of the country. ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==Further reading== * {{1911}} * [[Patrick Leigh Fermor]], ''[[Between the Woods and the Water]]'' (New York Review of Books Classics, 2005; ISBN 1-59017-166-7). Fermor travelled across Transylvania in the summer of 1934, and wrote about it in this account first published more than 50 years later, in 1986. * Zoltán Farkas and Judit Sós, [http://www.keletnyugat.hu/ujkonyvek/transylvania.php Transylvania Guidebook] ==External links== *[http://rti-radio.de/ RTI Radio - Radio Transsylvania International] *[http://www.ce-review.org/99/14/lovatt14.html ''Tolerant Transylvania - Why Transylvania will not become another Kosovo''], Katherine Lovatt, in Central Europe Review, Vol 1, No 14 27 September 1999. *[http://www.sibiweb.de/geschi/7b-history.htm ''The History Of Transylvania And The Transylvanian Saxons''] by Dr. Konrad Gündisch, Oldenburg, Germany *{{de icon}} [http://people.freenet.de/Transsylvania/ ''Historical Literature about Transilvania and Neighbouring Territories''] by Klaus Popa, Germany *[http://depts.washington.edu/cartah/text_archive/boner/toc_pag.shtml ''Transylvania, its Products and its People, by Charles Boner, 1865''] *{{hu icon}} [http://www.familyhistory.ro/index.php?id=20061130erdelyi_csaladt_ Transylvanian Family History Database] {{Romanian historical regions}} [[Category:Transylvania| ]] [[Category:Divided regions]] [[Category:Former countries in Europe]] [[ast:Transilvania]] [[bs:Transilvanija]] [[br:Treuzsilvania]] [[bg:Трансилвания]] [[ca:Transsilvània]] [[cs:Sedmihradsko]] [[da:Transsylvanien]] [[de:Siebenbürgen]] [[et:Transilvaania]] [[es:Transilvania]] [[eo:Transilvanio]] [[fr:Transylvanie (région)]] [[gl:Transilvania]] [[ko:트란실바니아]] [[hr:Transilvanija]] [[io:Transilvania]] [[id:Transylvania]] [[is:Transylvanía]] [[it:Transilvania]] [[he:טרנסילבניה]] [[la:Transsilvania]] [[lt:Transilvanija]] [[hu:Erdély]] [[ms:Transylvania]] [[nl:Transsylvanië]] [[ja:トランシルヴァニア]] [[no:Transilvania]] [[nn:Transilvania]] [[oc:Transilvània]] [[pl:Siedmiogród]] [[pt:Transilvânia]] [[ro:Transilvania]] [[rmy:Transilvaniya]] [[ru:Трансильвания]] [[scn:Transilvania]] [[simple:Transylvania]] [[sk:Sedmohradsko]] [[sl:Transilvanija]] [[sr:Трансилванија]] [[fi:Transilvania]] [[sv:Transsylvanien]] [[tr:Erdel Beyliği]] [[uk:Семигород]] [[wa:Zivenbork]] [[yi:זיבנבורגן]] [[zh:特兰西瓦尼亚]]