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Brașov ( UK : / b r æ ˈ ʃ ɒ v / , US : / b r ɑː ˈ ʃ ɔː v , - ɔː f / , Romanian: [braˈʃov] ; German : Kronstadt, also Brasau ; Hungarian : Brassó [ˈbrɒʃːoː] ; Latin : Corona ; Transylvanian Saxon : Kruhnen ) is a city in Transylvania , Romania and the county seat (i.e. administrative centre ) of Brașov County .

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102-606: According to the 2021 census , with 237,589 inhabitants, Brașov is the 6th most populous city in Romania. The metropolitan area was home to 371,802 residents. Brașov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km (103 mi) north of Bucharest and 380 km (236 mi) from the Black Sea . It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians and is part of the historical region of Transylvania . Historically,

204-454: A GDP per capita of 20,487 lei at an estimated population of 18.9 million. The 1938 average exchange rate was of 1 leu for US$ 0.00732. Romania's 1938 GDP thus amounted to $ 2.834 billion. Romania's public debt as of 1 April 1938 amounted to 112,267,290,144 lei, of which 78,398,078,964 lei consisted of external debt. Total public debt thus amounted to 29% of Romania's 1938 GDP, while public external debt amounted to just over 20%. Despite

306-417: A Slavic suffix -ov . Other linguists proposed various etymologies including an Old Slavic anthroponym Brasa. The first attested mention of this name is Terra Saxonum de Barasu (" Saxon Land of Baras") in a 1252 document issued by Béla IV of Hungary . According to some historians, Corona was name of the city-fortress while Brassó was referring to the county , while others consider both names may refer to

408-517: A brief period during the latter decades of the 18th century. In 1850, the town had 21,782 inhabitants: 8,874 (40.7%) Germans, 8,727 (40%) Romanians, 2,939 (13.4%) Hungarians. In 1910 there were 41,056 inhabitants: 17,831 (43.4%) Hungarians, 11,786 (28.7%) Romanians, 10,841 (26.4%) Germans. On 29 August 1916, during the First World War , the Romanian Army occupied Brașov. Romanian troops entered

510-450: A feasibility study for the construction of a rail line (8 km) which would connect the airport to the Brașov railway station . With its central location, Brașov is a suitable location from which to explore Romania, and the distances to several tourist destinations (including the Black Sea resorts, the monasteries in northern Moldavia, and the wooden churches of Maramureș ) are similar. It

612-514: A few border settlements were exchanged between Romania and Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes . The most notable Romanian acquisition was the town of Jimbolia , while the most notable Yugoslav acquisition was the town of Jaša Tomić . Romania made no further territorial claims; nonetheless the kingdom's expansion aroused enmity from several of its neighbors, including Bulgaria, the Soviet Union, and especially Hungary. Greater Romania now had

714-521: A further 200 refugees came from Ploiești . In August 1942, 850 Jews between the ages of 18 and 50 were drafted into labour battalions and ordered to work in Brașov, while others were sent to Predeal and Bran . In spring 1943, 250 youths were sent to Suraia camp to build fortifications. By August 1944, the labour battalions were reduced to 250-300 while most of the Jews managed to obtain their freedom. In 1945–1946,

816-503: A population of 18,057,028. Romanians made up 71.9% of the population and 28.1% of the population were ethnic minorities . Largest cities as per 1930 census: Notes: 1 - including 12 suburban communities. Two of Romania's seven largest cities in 1930 are currently located outside of Romania as a result of World War II border changes . While the Romanian nobility had a long tradition of sending their sons to Europe's finest schools,

918-481: A reconciliation with her, and Carol soon arranged for Magda Lupescu's return to his side. Her unpopularity was a millstone around Carol's neck for the rest of his reign, particularly because she was widely viewed as his closest advisor and confidante. Maniu and his National Peasant Party shared the same general political aims as the Iron Guard: both fought against the corruption and dictatorial policies of King Carol II and

1020-528: A resident population in Romania of 19,053,815 people. Kingdom of Romania Trăiască Regele ("Long live the King") (1884–1948) The Kingdom of Romania ( Romanian : Regatul României ) was a constitutional monarchy that existed from 25 March ( O.S. 13 March) 1881 with the crowning of prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen as King Carol I (thus beginning the Romanian royal family ), until 1947 with

1122-558: A result of which the Kingdom of Romania became a constitutional monarchy again and switched sides to the Allies , recovering Northern Transylvania . The influence of the neighbouring Soviet Union and the policies followed by Communist -dominated coalition governments ultimately led to the abolition of the monarchy, with Romania becoming a Soviet satellite state as the People's Republic of Romania on

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1224-573: A series of successful battles, regained Dobruja , which had been previously ceded from Bulgaria by the treaty of Bucharest and the Berlin congress . Although the Romanian forces did not fare well militarily, by the end of the war the Austrian and Russian empires were gone; various assemblies proclaimed as representative bodies in Transylvania , Bessarabia and Bukovina decided on union with Romania. In 1919 by

1326-434: A short-lived royal dictatorship, sanctioned 17 days later by a new constitution under which the king named personally not only the prime minister but all the ministers. In April 1938, King Carol had Iron Guard leader Corneliu Zelea Codreanu (aka "The Captain") arrested and imprisoned. On the night of 29–30 November 1938, Codreanu and several other legionnaires were killed while purportedly attempting to escape from prison. It

1428-467: A significant Romanian and Bulgarian population (living in the Șchei district), and also some Hungarian population (living in the Blumăna district). The cultural and religious importance of the Romanian church and school in Șchei is underlined by the generous donations received from more than thirty hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as that from Elizabeth of Russia . In the 17th and 19th centuries,

1530-433: A significant minority population, especially of Hungarians , and faced the difficulty of assimilation. Transylvania had significant Hungarian and German population who were accustomed to being the power structure; with a historically contemptuous attitude towards Romanians, they now feared reprisals. Both groups were effectively excluded from politics as the postwar regime passed an edict stating that all personnel employed by

1632-408: A so-called " monstrous coalition ", composed of Conservatives and radical Liberals, forced Cuza to abdicate. The German prince Charles of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was appointed as Prince of Romania, in a move to assure German backing to unity and future independence. He immediately adopted the Romanian spelling of his name, Carol , and his cognatic descendants would rule Romania until the overthrow of

1734-468: Is George Scripcaru from the National Liberal Party (PNL). The Brașov Local Council, elected at the 2024 Romanian local elections , is made up of 27 counselors, with the following party composition: The Brașov local transport network has 44 urban bus and trolleybus lines and 19 metropolitan bus lines. There are also regular bus lines serving Poiana Brașov , a nearby winter resort and part of

1836-460: Is also a large brewery. Brașov has a humid continental climate ( Köppen climate classification : Dfb ). Brașov has a total population of 237,589 ( 2021 census ). Its ethnic composition includes (as of 2011): In 2005, the Brașov metropolitan area was created. With its surrounding localities, Brașov had 371,802 inhabitants as of 2021. Brașov is administered by a mayor and a local council. The current mayor of Brașov (starting October 21, 2024)

1938-497: Is also the largest city in a mountain resorts area. The old city is very well preserved and is best seen by taking the cable-car to the top of Tâmpa Mountain. Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around 23 °C (73 °F). Brașov benefits from a winter tourism season centred on winter sports and other activities. Poiana Brașov is the most popular Romanian ski resort and an important tourist centre preferred by many tourists from other European states. The city ranks on

2040-457: Is generally agreed that there was no such escape attempt, but that they were murdered in retaliation for a series of assassinations by Iron Guard commandos. The royal dictatorship was brief. On 7 March 1939, a new government was formed with Armand Călinescu as prime minister; on 21 September 1939, three weeks after the start of World War II, Călinescu, in turn, was also assassinated by legionnaires avenging Codreanu's murder. In 1939, Germany and

2142-466: Is home to several local media publications such as Transilvania Express, Monitorul Express, Bună Ziua Brașov or Brașovul Tău. Also, several local television stations exist, such as RTT, MIX TV and Nova TV. 2021 Romanian census The 2021 Romanian census ( Romanian : Recesământul Populației și Locuințelor 2021 (RPL2021) ) was a census held in Romania between 1 February and 31 July 2022, with

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2244-466: Is the first airport to be developed in post-communist Romania, and the 17th commercial airport in the country. The contract for the construction of the main terminal building, with a total area of 11,780 m (126,799 sq ft), was awarded to the Romanian contractor Bog'Art Bucharest and was signed on 21 August 2019. Construction works for the passenger terminal started on 17 March 2020 and the first commercial flight took place on June 15, 2023. CFR announced

2346-660: The Sfatul Țării , or National Council, to proclaim the union of Bessarabia with Romania . War with the Hungarian Soviet Republic in 1919 resulted in the occupation of Budapest by Romanian troops and the end of Béla Kun 's Bolshevik regime. At the Paris Peace Conference , Romania received the territories of Transylvania , part of Banat and other territories from Hungary , as well as Bessarabia (Eastern Moldavia between Prut and Dniester rivers) and Bukovina. In

2448-689: The Galați shipyard using parts manufactured in Austria-Hungary, and the first one launched was Lascăr Catargiu , in 1907. The Romanian monitors displaced almost 700 tons, were armed with three 120 mm naval guns in 3 turrets, two 120 mm naval howitzers, four 47 mm anti-aircraft guns and two 6.5 machine guns. The monitors took part in the Battle of Turtucaia and the First Battle of Cobadin . The Romanian-designed Schneider 150 mm Model 1912 howitzer

2550-511: The Mareșal tank destroyer , which is credited with being the inspiration for the German Hetzer , a Renault R-35 tank with a T-26 turret and an artillery tractor known as T-1 . Warships built include the submarines NMS  Rechinul and NMS  Marsuinul , a class of 4 minesweepers , 6 Dutch-designed torpedo boats and 2 gunboats. According to the 1930 Romanian Census , Romania had

2652-483: The Mausoleum of Mărășești (1938) were erected. The oil industry was also greatly expanded, making Romania one of the top oil exporters by the late 1930s, which also attracted German and Italian interest . In 1938, Romania produced 6.6 million tons of crude oil, 284,000 tons of crude steel, 133,000 tons of pig iron , 510,000 tons of cement, and 289,000 tons of rolled steel. Romanian military industry during World War I

2754-583: The Neolithic age (about 9500 BCE). Archaeologists working from the last half of the 19th century discovered continuous traces of human settlements in areas situated in Brașov: Valea Cetății, Pietrele lui Solomon, Șprenghi, Tâmpa, Dealul Melcilor, and Noua. The first three locations show traces of Dacian citadels; Șprenghi Hill housed a Roman -style construction. The last two locations had their names applied to Bronze Age cultures — Schneckenberg ("Hill of

2856-645: The Ottoman Empire during the 1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War (known locally as the Romanian War of Independence ), after which it was forced to cede the southern part of Bessarabia in exchange for Northern Dobruja . The kingdom's territory during the reign of King Carol I, between 13 ( O.S. ) / 25 March 1881 and 27 September ( O.S. ) / 10 October 1914 is sometimes referred to as the Romanian Old Kingdom , to distinguish it from " Greater Romania ", which included

2958-670: The Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact , which stipulated, among other things, the Soviet "interest" in Bessarabia. After the 1940 territorial losses and growing increasingly unpopular, Carol was compelled to abdicate and name general Ion Antonescu as the new Prime-Minister with full powers in ruling the state by royal decree. At the time of the proclamation of the Kingdom, there were already several industrial facilities in

3060-787: The Teutonic Knights fortified the Burzenland to defend the border of the Kingdom of Hungary . On the site of the village of Brașov, the Teutonic Knights built Kronstadt – 'the City of the Crown'. Although the crusaders were evicted by 1225, the colonists they brought in long ago remained, along with local population in three distinct settlements they founded on the site of Brașov: Germans living in Brașov were mainly involved in trade and crafts. The location of

3162-539: The Treaty of Saint-Germain and in 1920 by the Treaty of Trianon most of the territories claimed were assigned to Romania. The Romanian Old Kingdom ( Romanian : Vechiul Regat or just Regat ; German: Regat or Altreich ) is a colloquial term referring to the territory covered by the first independent Romanian nation state , which was composed of the Danubian Principalities – Wallachia and Moldavia. It

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3264-587: The Treaty of Trianon , Hungary renounced in favor of Romania all the claims of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy over Transylvania. The union of Romania with Bukovina was ratified in 1919 in the Treaty of Saint Germain , and in 1920 some of the Western powers recognized Romanian rule over Bessarabia by the Treaty of Paris . Thus, Romania in 1920 was more than twice the size it had been in 1914. The last territorial change during this period came in 1923, when

3366-560: The "Brașov Challenge Cup" tennis competition is held. Colțea Brașov was the football champion in 1928, managing a second place in 1927, in its only 10 years of existence (1921–1931). It was succeeded by Brașovia Brașov . Between 17 and 22 February 2013, the city hosted the 2013 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival . As of 2012, Brașov is hosting two trail semi-marathons: the Semimaraton Intersport Brașov (held in April) and

3468-719: The Black Sea due east, and Hungarian neighbours on its western and northwestern borders, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, and administrative models. Abstaining from the Initial Balkan War against the Ottoman Empire , the Kingdom of Romania entered the Second Balkan War in June 1913 against the Tsardom of Bulgaria . 330,000 Romanian troops moved across

3570-784: The Brașov International Marathon (held in April or May). In November 2013, Brașov submitted their bid for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics . They were up against Lausanne , Switzerland to be awarded the event. In December that year, the city was signed the Youth Olympic Game Candidature Procedure. The host city was to be announced in July 2015, in which Lausanne was selected. • Under construction • Sala Polivalentă (10,059 capacity) - under construction multi-purpose 10,059-seat indoor arena The city of Brașov

3672-458: The Central Powers in 1916. The Romanian military campaign ended in stalemate when the Central Powers quickly crushed the country's offensive into Transylvania and occupied Wallachia and Dobruja, including Bucharest and the strategically important oil fields, by the end of 1916. In 1917, despite fierce Romanian resistance, especially at the Battle of Mărășești , due to Russia's withdrawal from

3774-554: 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 hydraulic transmissions, auto parts, ball-bearings, construction materials, hand tools, furniture, textiles and shoe-wear. There

3876-518: The Danube and into Bulgaria. One army occupied Southern Dobruja and another moved into northern Bulgaria to threaten Sofia, helping to bring an end to the war. Romania thus acquired the ethnically mixed territory of Southern Dobruja, which it had desired for years. In 1916 Romania entered World War I on the Entente side. Romania engaged in a conflict against Bulgaria but as a result Bulgarian forces, after

3978-559: The Jewish population increased to 3500. Like many other cities in Transylvania, Brașov is also home to a significant ethnic Hungarian minority . During the communist period, industrial development was vastly accelerated. Under Nicolae Ceaușescu 's rule, the city was the site of the 1987 Brașov strike . This was brutally repressed by the authorities and resulted in numerous workers being imprisoned. Industrial development in Brașov started in

4080-499: The Kingdom of Romania became an absolute monarchy , only to become a military dictatorship under Ion Antonescu in 1940 after the forced abdication of King Carol II, with his successor, King Michael I being a figurehead with no effective political power. The country's name was changed to Legionary Romania . The disastrous World War II campaign on the side of the Axis powers led to King Michael's Coup against Ion Antonescu in 1944, as

4182-602: The Kingdom of Romania in 1881, and the annexation of Southern Dobruja in 1913. The term came into use after World War I, when the Old Kingdom was opposed to Greater Romania , which included Transylvania, Banat , Bessarabia, and Bukovina. Nowadays, the term is mainly of historical relevance, and is otherwise used as a common term for all regions in Romania included in both the Old Kingdom and present-day borders (namely: Wallachia, Moldavia, and Northern Dobruja). Romania delayed in entering World War I, but ultimately declared war on

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4284-592: The Malaxa factory under French licence, eventually 126 being built until March 1941. Czechoslovak licence was acquired in 1938 to produce the ZB vz. 30 machine gun, with 5,000 being built at the Cugir gun factory until the start of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. Romania also acquired the licence to produce the R-1 tankette, but ultimately only one prototype was built locally. German licence

4386-580: The National Liberal Party. The worldwide Great Depression that started in 1929 and was also present in Romania destabilised the country. The early 1930s were marked by social unrest, high unemployment, and strikes. In several instances, the Romanian government violently repressed strikes and riots, notably the 1929 miners' strike in Valea Jiului and the strike in the Grivița railroad workshops. In

4488-404: The Romanian state in the interwar period , and by extension, to the territory Romania covered at the time. Romania achieved at that time its greatest territorial extent (almost 300,000 km (120,000 sq mi) ). At the 1930 census, there were over 18 million inhabitants in Romania. The resulting "Greater Romania" did not survive World War II. Until 1938, Romania's governments maintained

4590-428: The Romanian state. Brașov was permanently occupied by Romanian forces on 7 December, as Hungarians gradually withdrew northwards. The King and some Transylvanians suggested that - because of Brașov's central geographical location in the new Romania - it should be considered as the new national capital. Though this did not happen - the inter-war period was a time of flourishing economy and cultural life in general, including

4692-619: The Romanians in Șchei campaigned for national, political, and cultural rights, and were supported in their efforts by Romanians from all other provinces, as well as by the local Greek merchant community. In 1838, they established the first Romanian language newspaper Gazeta Transilvaniei and the first Romanian institutions of higher education: Școlile Centrale Greco-Ortodoxe ("The Greek-Orthodox Central Schools", today named after Andrei Șaguna ). The Holy Roman Emperor and sovereign of Transylvania Joseph II awarded Romanians citizenship rights for

4794-518: The Saxons in Brașov. However, at the end of World War II many ethnic Germans were forcibly deported to the Soviet Union . A majority of them emigrated to West Germany after Romania had become a communist country . The first Jewish community in Brașov was established in 1828, joining the Neolog association in 1868. Orthodox Jews founded their religious organization in 1877. The Neolog synagogue, seating 800,

4896-657: The Snails"; Early Bronze Age) and Noua ("The New"; Late Bronze Age). Transylvanian Saxons played a decisive role in Brașov's development and were invited by Hungarian kings to develop towns, build mines, and cultivate the land of Transylvania at different stages between 1141 and 1300. The settlers came primarily from the Rhineland , Flanders , and the Moselle region, with others from Thuringia , Bavaria , Wallonia , and even France. In 1211, by order of King Andrew II of Hungary ,

4998-548: The abdication of King Michael I and the Romanian parliament's proclamation of the Romanian People's Republic . From 1859 to 1877, Romania evolved from a personal union of two principalities : ( Moldavia and Wallachia ) called the Unification of Moldavia and Wallachia also known as "The Little Union" under a single prince to an autonomous principality with a Hohenzollern monarchy. The country gained its independence from

5100-602: The city and the county as well. According to Balázs Orbán, the name Corona  – a Latin word meaning "crown" – is first mentioned in the Catalogus Ninivensis in 1235 AD, stating a monastic quarter existed in the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cumania ( In Hungaria assignata est paternitas Dyocesis Cumanie: Corona ). Pál Binder supposed it is a reference to the St. Catherine's Monastery. Others suggest

5202-526: The city at around five o'clock p.m. and paraded towards the city square. Romanian rule over the city lasted until early October, when the area was retaken by the Central Powers in the Battle of Brassó (7-9 October 1916). The Romanian mayor installed during the brief Romanian occupation was Gheorghe Baiulescu. His term lasted from 29 August, when the city was occupied by the Romanian Army, until 8 October –

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5304-446: The city at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe , together with certain tax exemptions, allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth and exert a strong political influence. They contributed a great deal to the architectural flavour of the city. Fortifications around the city were erected and continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craftsmen's guilds, according to

5406-491: The city of Brașov, and the Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport. All are operated by RAT Brașov . 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 Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport is an international airport located in nearby Ghimbav , right by the future A3 motorway . It

5508-524: The city was the centre of the Burzenland ( Romanian : Țara Bârsei ), once dominated by the Transylvanian Saxons ( German : Siebenbürger Sachsen ), and a significant commercial hub on the trade roads between Austria (then Archduchy of Austria , within the Habsburg monarchy , and subsequently Austrian Empire ) and Turkey (then Ottoman Empire ). It is also where the national anthem of Romania

5610-453: The city. During the communist period, universiades and Daciads were held, where local sportsmen 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,

5712-403: The company was renamed Uzina Tractorul Brașov known internationally as Universal Tractor Brașov. A big part of the factory was demolished during 2013 and 2014 giving way to buildings, shopping mall and recreation parks. Aircraft manufacturing resumed in 1968 at first under the name ICA and then under its old name of IAR at a new location in nearby Ghimbav . Industrialization was accelerated in

5814-422: The counties) to be ruled by rezidenți regali (approximate translation: "Royal Residents") - appointed directly by the King. This administrative reform did not last and the counties were re-established after the fall of Carol's regime. 28 November. The union of Bukovina with Romania is declared. 1 December. The union of Transylvania with Romania is declared. This day concludes a series of unifications between

5916-507: The country: The Assan and Olamazu steam mills , built in 1853 and 1862 respectively, a brick factory built in 1865, and two sugar factories built in 1873, among others. In 1857, the first oil refinery in the world was built at Ploiești . In 1880, after several railways were built, the CFR was founded. After proclamation of the Kingdom, the pre-established industrial facilities began to be highly developed: 6 more, larger, sugar factories were built and

6018-563: The destruction provoked by the First World War, Romanian industry managed significant growth, as a result of new establishments and development of the older ones. The MALAXA industrial engineering and manufacturing company was established in 1921 by Romanian industrialist Nicolae Malaxa and dealt especially with rolling stock maintenance and manufacturing. It developed rapidly, and by 1930 Romania had managed to cease importing locomotives altogether, all required rolling stock being supplied by

6120-564: The economy. Already the Iron Guard had embraced the politics of assassination, and various governments had reacted more or less in kind. On 10 December 1933, Liberal prime minister Ion Duca "dissolved" the Iron Guard, arresting thousands; consequently, 19 days later he was assassinated by Iron Guard legionnaires. Throughout the 1930s, these nationalist parties had a mutually distrustful relationship with King Carol II. Nonetheless, in December 1937,

6222-603: The educated were otherwise a tiny minority. Transylvania had the most educated population in Greater Romania, while Bessarabia fared the worst. While legally all Romanians were required to undergo at least four years of schooling, in practice few actually did and the system was designed to separate those who would go on to higher education from those who would not. While this was partially necessary due to limited resources, it ensured that peasants had almost no chance of becoming educated. High school and college education in Romania

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6324-518: The field on 10 November 1918, a day before the war ended in Western Europe. Following the proclamation of the union of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania on 1 December 1918 by the representatives of Transylvanian Romanians gathered at Alba Iulia , Transylvania was soon united with the Kingdom, as was Bessarabia earlier in 1918, since the power vacuum in Russia caused by the civil war there allowed

6426-593: The first locally-built warship, the minelayer NMS  Amiral Murgescu . During the war, Romania copied and produced hundreds of Soviet M1938 mortars , as well as designing and producing up to 400 75 mm Reșița Model 1943 anti-tank guns. Infantry weapons designed and produced by Romania during the war include the Orița M1941 sub-machinegun and the Argeș flamethrower . Romania also built 30 Vănătorul de care R-35 , 34 TACAM T-60 , 21 TACAM R-2 tank destroyers and rebuilt 34 captured Soviet Komsomolets armored tractors . A few prototype vehicles were also built, such as

6528-410: The form, if not always the substance, of a liberal constitutional monarchy. The National Liberal Party , dominant in the years immediately after World War I, became increasingly clientelist and nationalist , and in 1927 was supplanted in power by the National Peasants' Party . Between 1930 and 1940 there were over 25 separate governments; on several occasions in the last few years before World War II,

6630-415: The height of the Battle of Brașov. On 9 October, at the end of the battle, the previous mayor Karl Ernst Schnell was reinstated. Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the 1 December 1918 Proclamation of the Union of Alba Iulia , adopted by deputies of the Romanians from Transylvania, Banat, Crișana and Maramureș during the Great National Assembly of Alba Iulia declared the union of Transylvania into

6732-413: The inter-war period, with one of the largest factories being the aeroplane manufacturing plant ( IAR Brașov), which produced the first Romanian fighter planes used during World War II. After signing the armistice with USSR on September 12, 1944, the factory started repairing trucks, and in October 1945 it began manufacturing agricultural tractors. IAR 22 was the first Romanian-made wheeled tractor. In 1948

6834-427: The king appointed National Christian Party leader, the poet Octavian Goga , as prime minister of Romania's first Fascist government . Around this time, Carol met with Adolf Hitler , who expressed his wish to see a Romanian government headed by the pro-Nazi Iron Guard. Instead, on 10 February 1938 King Carol II used the occasion of a public insult by Goga toward Lupescu as a reason to dismiss the government and institute

6936-424: The king free rein to dissolve parliament and call elections at will; as a result, Romania experienced over 25 governments in a single decade. Increasingly, these governments were dominated by a number of anti-Semitic , ultra-nationalist, and mostly at least quasi-fascist parties. The National Liberal Party steadily became more nationalistic than liberal, but nonetheless lost its dominance over Romanian politics. It

7038-423: The last day of 1947. The 1859 ascendancy of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of both Moldavia and Wallachia under the nominal suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire united an identifiably Romanian nation under a single ruler. On 24 January ( O.S. ) / 5 February 1862, the two principalities were formally united to form the Principality of Romania , with Bucharest as its capital. On 11 ( O.S. ) / 23 February 1866

7140-419: The local industry. Industrial facilities acquired along with the new provinces, such as the Reșița works , also contributed to the rapid development of Romanian heavy industry. Other important establishments were the Copșa Mică works , producing non-ferrous metals and the Romanian Optical Enterprise . Construction also developed, as great monuments like the Caraiman Cross (1928), Arcul de Triumf (1936), and

7242-543: The matter in their own hands. The land reform passed in 1921 accomplished little however. Large landowners still controlled up to 30% of Romania's land, including the forests peasants depended on for fuel. The redistributed plots were invariably too small to feed their owners and most peasants could not overcome their tradition of growing grain over cash crops. Nothing was done to remedy basic problems such as rural overpopulation and technological backwardness. Draft animals were rare, to say nothing of machinery, actual productivity

7344-421: The medieval custom. Part of the fortification ensemble was recently restored using UNESCO funds, and other projects are ongoing. At least two entrances to the city, Poarta Ecaterinei (or Katharinentor ) and Poarta Șchei (or Waisenhausgässertor ), are still in existence. The city centre is marked by the mayor's former office building ( Casa Sfatului ) and the surrounding square ( piața ), which includes one of

7446-432: The mid-1930s, the Romanian economy recovered and the industry grew significantly, although about 80% of Romanians were still employed in agriculture. French economic and political influence was predominant in the early 1920s but then Germany became more dominant, especially in the 1930s. As the 1930s progressed, Romania's already shaky democracy slowly deteriorated toward fascist dictatorship. The constitution of 1923 gave

7548-564: The monarchy in 1947. For more than a decade after the formal union of the two principalities, Romania was still nominally a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. However, this was increasingly a legal fiction. Romania had its own flag and anthem, and from 1867 had its own currency as well. Following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 , Romania was recognized as an independent state by the Treaty of Berlin, 1878 and acquired Dobruja , although it

7650-577: The name derives from the old coat of arms of the city, as it is symbolized by the German name Kronstadt meaning "Crown City". The two names of the city, Kronstadt and Corona , were used simultaneously in the Middle Ages , along with the Medieval Latin Brassovia . Another historical name used for Brașov is Stephanopolis , from "Stephanos", crown, and "polis", city. On 22 August 1950, Brașov

7752-525: The oldest buildings in Brașov, the Hirscher Haus. Nearby is the "Black Church" ( Biserica Neagră ), which some claim to be the largest Gothic style church in Southeastern Europe . In 1689, a great fire destroyed the walled city almost entirely, and its rebuilding lasted several decades. Besides the German (Saxon) population living in the walled city and in the northern suburbs, Brașov had also

7854-400: The provinces that became part of the state after World War I ( Bessarabia , Banat , Bukovina , and Transylvania ). With the exception of the southern halves of Bukovina and Transylvania , these territories were ceded to neighboring countries in 1940, under the pressure of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union . Following the abolishment of the 1923 constitution by King Carol II in 1938,

7956-411: The railway network was expanded more. Another, more modern brick factory was built in 1891. Despite all of these industrial achievements, the overwhelming majority of Romania's economy remained agricultural. In 1919, a staggering 72% of Romanians were engaged in agriculture. The Romanian peasantry was among the poorest in the region, a situation aggravated by one of Europe's highest birth rates. Farming

8058-471: The reference day for the census data set at 1 December 2021. The census was supposed to be done in 2021, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania in order to avoid census takers from getting infected when coming into contact with ill or quarantined people. It was the first census held in Romania in which data was collected online , something that had support among Romanian youth. The census

8160-475: The result being the most effective field howitzer in Europe at that time. Romania even managed to design and build from scratch its own model of mortar, the 250 mm Negrei Model 1916. Other Romanian technological assets include the building of Vlaicu III , the world's first aircraft made of metal. The Romanian Navy possessed the largest warships on the Danube. They were a class of 4 river monitors, built locally at

8262-464: The rivalry between the fascist Iron Guard and other political groupings approached the level of a civil war. Upon the death of King Ferdinand in 1927, his son, Prince Carol , was prevented from succeeding him because of previous marital scandals that had resulted in his renunciation of rights to the throne. After living three years in exile, with his brother Nicolae serving as regent and his young son Michael as king, Carol changed his mind and with

8364-407: The second place in terms of tourism arrivals countrywide, after the capital Bucharest . Brașov is twinned with: 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

8466-809: The state had to speak Romanian. The new state was also a highly centralized one, so it was unlikely that the Hungarian or German minorities would exercise political influence without personal connections in the government in Bucharest. Despite these policies, the Romanian government permitted both Germans and Hungarians the freedom to have separate schools, publications and judicial hearings in their respective languages. These rights were not extended to other minorities, Jews in particular. The Romanian expression România Mare (literal translation "Great Romania", but more commonly rendered in English: "Greater Romania") generally refers to

8568-478: The support of the ruling National Peasants' Party he returned and proclaimed himself king. Iuliu Maniu , leader of the National Peasants' Party, engineered Carol's return on the basis of a promise that he would forsake his mistress Magda Lupescu , and Lupescu herself had agreed to the arrangement. However, it became clear upon Carol's first re-encounter with his former wife, Elena , that he had no interest in

8670-621: The war following the October Revolution , Romania, being almost completely surrounded by the Central Powers, was forced to also drop from the war, signing the Armistice of Focșani and next year, in May 1918, the Treaty of Bucharest . But after the successful offensive on the Thessaloniki front which put Bulgaria out of the war, Romania's government quickly reasserted control and put an army back into

8772-515: The war, Romania acquired from France the licence to produce hundreds of Brandt Mle 27/31 and Brandt Mle 1935 mortars, with hundreds more produced during the war, and also the licence to produce 140 French 47 mm Schneider anti-tank guns at the Concordia factory, with 118 produced between 26 May 1939 and 1 August 1940 and hundreds more produced during the war; these guns were to be towed by Malaxa Tip UE armored carriers, built since late 1939 at

8874-1141: Was renamed Orașul Stalin ( lit. Stalin City ) after Joseph Stalin . Constantin Ion Parhon , the nominal Head of State at the time, decreed the city be renamed "in honour of the great genius of working humanity, the leader of the Soviet people, the liberator and beloved friend of our people, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin". The city’s name reverted to Brașov in 1960. [REDACTED] Kingdom of Hungary 1235–1526 [REDACTED] Eastern Hungarian Kingdom 1526–1570 [REDACTED] Principality of Transylvania 1570–1711 [REDACTED] Grand Principality of Transylvania 1711–1804 [REDACTED]   Austrian Empire 1804–1867 [REDACTED]   Austria-Hungary 1867–1918 ( de jure Hungary until 1920 ) [REDACTED]   Kingdom of Romania 1920–1947 ( de facto from 1918 ) [REDACTED]   Romanian People's Republic 1947–1965 [REDACTED]   Socialist Republic of Romania 1965–1989 [REDACTED]   Romania 1989–present The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Brașov date back to

8976-406: Was achieved when, under the auspices of the Treaty of Paris (1856) , the ad hoc Divans of both countries – which were under Imperial Ottoman suzerainty at the time – voted for Alexander Ioan Cuza as their prince, thus achieving a de facto unification. The region itself is defined by the result of that political act, followed by the inclusion of Northern Dobruja in 1878, the proclamation of

9078-458: Was acquired in 1938 to produce 360 37 mm Rheinmetall anti-aircraft guns , but only 102 were produced until May 1941. British licence was acquired to produce 100 Vickers Model 1931 75 mm anti-aircraft guns at the Reșița works , with the first battery of 6 guns entering service on 1 August 1939, and 100 more guns were built during the war for a total production of 200. On 14 June, Romania launched

9180-635: Was built between 1899 and 1905. During the interwar period , the communities had separate institutions, but opened a jointly managed school in 1940. Zionist organizations appeared already in 1920. By 1930, Jews numbered 2594 individuals, or 4% of the total population. In autumn 1940, during the National Legionary State , the antisemitic Iron Guard nationalized all Jewish institutions and seized most shops owned by Jews. In 1941, Jews were drafted for service in forced labour battalions. Those from throughout southern Transylvania were concentrated in Brașov;

9282-580: Was considered one of the most modern field guns on the Western Front. The Romanian armament industry was expanded greatly during the Interwar period and World War II. New factories were constructed, such as the Industria Aeronautică Română and Societatea Pentru Exploatări Tehnice aircraft factories, which produced hundreds of indigenous aircraft, such as IAR 37 , IAR 80 , and SET 7 . Before

9384-421: Was divided into 33 counties. After World War I, as a result of the 1925 administrative unification law, the territory was divided into 71 counties, 489 districts ( plăși ) and 8,879 communes . In 1938, King Carol II promulgated a new Constitution , and subsequently he had the administrative division of the Romanian territory changed. Ten ținuturi (approximate translation: "lands") were created (by merging

9486-433: Was divided into three phases: one in which personal data of the Romanian population was collected from various sites; another in which the population was to complete more precise data such as religion, in which town halls would help the natives of rural areas to answer the census; and a third one in which census takers would go to the homes and households of those who did not register their data online. Data for this census

9588-775: Was eclipsed by parties like the (relatively moderate) National Peasants' Party and its more radical Romanian Front offshoot, the National-Christian Defense League (LANC) and the Iron Guard . In 1935, LANC merged with the National Agrarian Party to form the National Christian Party (NCP). The quasi-mystical fascist Iron Guard was an earlier LANC offshoot that, even more than these other parties, exploited nationalist feelings, fear of communism, and resentment of alleged foreign and Jewish domination of

9690-460: Was first sung. According to Dragoș Moldovanu, the name of Brașov came from the name of local river named Bârsa (also pronounced as "Bărsa") that was adopted by Slavs and transformed to Barsa, and later to Barsov, finally to Brasov. According to Pál Binder, the current Romanian and the Hungarian name Brassó ( [ˈbrɒʃʃoː] ) are derived from the Turkic word barasu , meaning "white water" with

9792-453: Was forced to surrender southern Bessarabia ( Budjak ) to Russia. On 15 March 1881, as an assertion of full sovereignty, the Romanian parliament raised the country to the status of a kingdom, and Carol was crowned king on 10 May. The new state, squeezed between the Ottoman , Austro-Hungarian , and Russian Empires, with Slavic populations on its southwestern, southern, and northeastern borders,

9894-512: Was mainly focused on converting various fortification guns into field and anti-aircraft artillery. Up to 334 German 53 mm Fahrpanzer guns, 93 French 57 mm Hotchkiss guns, 66 Krupp 150 mm guns and dozens more 210 mm guns were mounted on Romanian-built carriages and transformed into mobile field artillery, with 45 Krupp 75 mm guns and 132 Hotchkiss 57 mm guns being transformed into anti-aircraft artillery. The Romanians also upgraded 120 German Krupp 105 mm howitzers,

9996-531: Was modeled after the French system. Students undertook a rigid curriculum based around the liberal arts. Romania suffered from the same problem as the rest of Eastern Europe, which was that most students, coming from aristocratic backgrounds, preferred to study subjects such as theology, philosophy, literature and the fine arts over science, business, and engineering. After Independence, the Romanian Old Kingdom

10098-574: Was officially announced by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) that as many as 18.15 million Romanian citizens were registered at the RPL2021. Subsequently, the head of the INS announced the first data of the RPL2021 on 5 August 2022, stating that Romania had c.  19 million inhabitants. The final results regarding demographic characteristics of the RPL2021, published on 31 May 2023, showed

10200-441: Was planned not to be collected on paper, but instead with tablets so as to maintain social distancing between citizens. The entire data collection process was also relatively long, spanning about 6 months. People who did not provide data by themselves in the early stages of the census were not fined, but those who refused to give or gave false information could be fined between 1,000 and 3,000 Romanian lei . On 1 August 2022, it

10302-502: Was primitive and machinery and chemical fertilizers almost unheard of. The Regat (prewar Romania) was traditionally a land of large estates worked by peasants who either had little or no land of their own. The situation in Transylvania and Bessarabia was marginally better. After peasant calls for land reform snowballed into an avalanche, King Ferdinand had to oblige, especially once the Russian Revolution had encouraged peasants to take

10404-511: Was worse than before. Romanian agriculture struggled in the international market, and with the onset of the Great Depression , collapsed completely. Romania's 1913 GDP at the 1990 exchange rate amounted to $ 11.7 billion. However, the 1990 dollar was 9.27 times weaker than the 1938 dollar. Thus, Romania's 1913 GDP at the 1938 exchange rate amounted to $ 1.262 billion. The 1938 Romanian GDP amounted to 387.204 billion lei, with

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