Transylvania: Size, Geography & Bordering Countries
Transylvania is a historical region in central Romania, famous for Carpathian mountains, medieval towns, and Dracula lore.
Size & Geography
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Area | ~102,000 km² (39,400 sq mi) |
| North–South Length | ~380 km (236 mi) |
| East–West Width | ~300 km (186 mi) |
| Topography | Carpathian arc (Eastern, Southern Carpathians); Transylvanian Plateau (center); Apuseni Mts (west). |
| Major Rivers | Mureș, Olt, Someș, Târnava. |
Countries Bordering Transylvania
Transylvania is entirely within modern Romania, but borders these countries:
- Hungary – West (across Apuseni Mts / Great Plain).
- Ukraine – North (Maramureș / Bukovina border).
- Serbia – Southwest (Banat region, Danube).
- Bulgaria – Not directly; separated by Danube & Wallachia.
Note: Romania surrounds Transylvania on all sides except where it meets Hungary, Ukraine, Serbia. Moldova is NE, not directly bordering Transylvania.
Historical Context
- Part of Hungary (1000–1526), Ottoman vassal (1526–1690), Habsburg/Austro-Hungarian (1690–1918).
- 1918: Union with Romania (Treaty of Trianon 1920 confirmed).
- 1940–44: Northern Transylvania to Hungary (Vienna Award); rest to Romania.
- Post-WWII: Entirely Romanian.
Major Cities
- Cluj-Napoca (historic capital), Brașov, Sibiu, Târgu Mureș, Alba Iulia, Sighișoara, Oradea (west edge).
Wanderlust World