Covasna (Romanian pronunciation: [koˈvasna] , Hungarian: Kovászna, Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈkovaːsnɒ] , German: Kowasna) is a town in Covasna County, Transylvania, Romania, at an altitude of 550–600 m. It is known for its natural mineral waters and mofettas.
Covasna
Kovászna | |
---|---|
Town | |
Coordinates: 45°50′57″N 26°11′7″E / 45.84917°N 26.18528°E | |
Country | Romania |
County | Covasna County |
Status | Town |
Government | |
• Mayor | Gyerő József (UDMR) |
Area | |
• Total | 155.11 km2 (59.89 sq mi) |
Population (2004) | |
• Total | 11,369 |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Website | www.primariacovasna.ro |
The town administers one village, Chiuruș (Hungarian: Csomakőrös). The village has a population of 451 and has an Secui or Székely Hungarian majority.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, Covasna has 10,265 inhabitants. It has a Hungarian majority: 7,549 or 66.4%. 3,672 (32.3%) Romanians also live in the town.
Demographic movement according to the censuses:
History
- 1567 - First mentioned in a document.
- 1880 - Covasna has flourished as a health resort since the 1880s
- 1952 - Covasna became a town.
- 1970's - Several hotels and cure centers were built in Covasna.
- 2000's - Covasna is a nationally important spa town in Romania, famous for cardiovascular treatments.
International relations
Twin towns – Sister cities
Covasna is twinned with:
Natives
The Hungarian explorer and linguist Sándor Kőrösi Csoma was born in Chiuruș/Csomakőrös in 1784. Kőrösi is widely seen as the founder of Tibetology, he was the compiler and author of the first Tibetan-English dictionary and grammar book. He died in Darjeeling, India in 1842.
A statue in his honour was erected in the centre of the village in 1972 and there is an exhibition in the cultural centre.