Transylvania

Transylvania (Romanian Transilvania), region in central Romania, before 1918 a part of Austria-Hungary.

The region is an elevated plateau entirely surrounded by the Transylvanian Alps, a range of the Carpathian Mountains. The mountains curve around the region like a wall and in various places spread over the land. The chief rivers are tributaries of the Tisza. The terrain is suitable for growing fruits, cereal grains, and sugar beets. Wine is also produced, and livestock is raised.

Transylvania is rich in minerals, including gold, silver, salt, and coal. Part of the Roman province of Dacia, the region became part of the kingdom of Hungary in 1003. In 1526, after the defeat of Hungary by the Turks, Transylvania became a separate principality under the protection of the Turkish sultan.

Austria, which had previously claimed Transylvania, obtained possession of the region by the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, which concluded war between Austria and Turkey. In 1765 the region was made a grand principality of Austria and in 1849 an Austrian crown land, but it was reunited with the Hungarian Kingdom in 1867 upon the formation of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary.

Transylvania became a part of Romania in December 1918 following World War I. Hungary persisted in claiming the area because of its large population of Magyars, who form the major ethnic group in Hungary.

In 1940, during World War II, by the Italo-German award of August 30, the northern part of Transylvania, including 44,000 sq km (17,000 sq mi) with a population of 2,700,000, was given to Hungary.

Following the war the ceded area was returned to Romania.

Today, the majority of ethnic Hungarians in Romania live in the region of Transylvania. Area, about 62,000 sq km (about 24,000 sq mi).

Bran Castle, dating from the 14th century, sits high in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania's central region of Transylvania. Susan McCartney/Photo Researchers, Inc.