# Roșia Montană

> commune in Alba County, Romania

**Wikidata**: [Q12148992](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12148992)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roșia_Montană)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ro-ia-montan

## Summary
Roșia Montană is a commune located in Alba County, Romania, known for its historical significance and rural character. It is part of Romania's administrative structure as one of the country's communes, the lowest level of local government.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune (administrative division) in Romania
- **Location**: Alba County, Romania
- **Country**: Romania
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 46.308258, Longitude 23.082606
- **Population**: Approximately 2,428 to 2,656 residents
- **Website**: [https://www.primariarosiamontana.ro/](https://www.primariarosiamontana.ro/)
- **Image Source**: [File:Rosia Montana.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Rosia_Montana.jpg)
- **Image Artist**: Daniel Tara (eredeti feltöltő)
- **Image License**: Public domain
- **Wikipedia Title**: Roșia Montană
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Alba County, Romania
- **Sitelink Count**: 40
- **Related Entities**:
  - Roșia Montană village (also listed as a Thing)
  - Cărpiniș village (within Roșia Montană municipality)
  - Alba County (parent administrative unit)
  - Romania (national context)
  - Commune of Romania (administrative classification)

## FAQs
### What is Roșia Montană?
Roșia Montană is a commune in Alba County, Romania. It is an administrative unit composed of several villages, including Roșia Montană and Cărpiniș.

### Where is Roșia Montană located?
Roșia Montană is located in Alba County, Romania. Its geographic coordinates are approximately latitude 46.308258 and longitude 23.082606.

### What is the population of Roșia Montană?
The population of Roșia Montană is recorded as between 2,428 and 2,656 residents.

### What is the administrative structure of Roșia Montană?
Roșia Montană is classified as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in Romania. It is part of Alba County.

### What is the official website for Roșia Montană?
The official website for Roșia Montană is [https://www.primariarosiamontana.ro/](https://www.primariarosiamontana.ro/).

### What is the historical context of Roșia Montană?
Roșia Montană is part of a region with a complex history involving various empires and kingdoms, including the Habsburg monarchy, the Kingdom of Hungary, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before becoming part of modern Romania.

### What villages are part of Roșia Montană commune?
Roșia Montană commune includes the villages of Roșia Montană and Cărpiniș, among others.

### What is the significance of Roșia Montană in Romanian administrative divisions?
Roșia Montană represents a typical rural commune in Romania, functioning at the local level of governance under Alba County.

## Why It Matters
Roșia Montană matters as a representative of Romania's decentralized administrative structure, where communes like it serve as foundational units of local governance. Its existence reflects the historical evolution of Romanian territorial organization, shaped by centuries of regional and imperial history. As a rural commune, it plays a role in preserving local heritage and managing community affairs in a historically rich region.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Classification**: Being a commune, the smallest administrative unit in Romania
- **Geographic Location**: Situated in Alba County, a historically significant region
- **Population Size**: Serving a small but stable rural community
- **Historical Context**: Existing within a region shaped by multiple empires and kingdoms
- **Local Governance**: Representing grassroots administration in Romania
- **Cultural Heritage**: Part of a landscape rich in historical and archaeological significance

## Body
### History
Roșia Montană commune is situated in Alba County, a region with deep historical roots. The area was historically influenced by the Habsburg monarchy, the Kingdom of Hungary, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire before becoming part of modern Romania. The commune's formation aligns with Romania's post-World War I administrative restructuring, particularly following the unification of Transylvania with Romania in 1918. The region's history includes periods under Ottoman rule, Habsburg administration, and interwar Romanian governance, all of which contributed to its current administrative identity.

### Geography
Roșia Montană commune is located in Alba County, Romania, with geographic coordinates at approximately latitude 46.308258 and longitude 23.082606. The commune is part of the Carpathian region, characterized by mountainous terrain and rural settlements. The area is historically known for its mining activities, particularly gold extraction, which has shaped its economic and cultural landscape.

### Administration
As a commune, Roșia Montană is the lowest level of administrative division in Romania. It operates under the jurisdiction of Alba County and is responsible for local governance, including public services, infrastructure, and community development. The commune has an official website, [primariarosiamontana.ro](https://www.primariarosiamontana.ro/), which serves as a platform for local government communication and civic engagement.

### Demographics
The commune has a small population, estimated between 2,428 and 2,656 residents. This population is served by a local administrative structure typical of Romanian communes, which includes a mayor and local council. The demographic profile reflects the rural character of the region, with communities engaged in agriculture, small-scale industries, and local services.

### Culture and Heritage
Roșia Montană is notable for its cultural heritage, particularly its ancient Roman mining galleries, which are among the most extensive in the world. The commune has been at the center of debates regarding cultural preservation versus economic development, particularly in relation to proposed mining projects. The area's historical significance is tied to its role as a continuous mining site from Roman times through the 20th century.

### Related Entities
- **Alba County**: The administrative parent unit of Roșia Montană commune.
- **Romania**: The sovereign state in which Roșia Montană is located.
- **Commune of Romania**: The classification under which Roșia Montană operates.
- **Cărpiniș**: A village within the Roșia Montană municipality.
- **Roșia Montană village**: The primary village associated with the commune.
- **Habsburg monarchy, Kingdom of Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire**: Historical entities that governed the region before its incorporation into Romania.

### Notable Features
- **Mining Heritage**: Roșia Montană is known for its ancient Roman gold mining galleries, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage candidates.
- **Public Controversy**: The commune has been central to debates over the Rosia Montană Gold Corporation project, which sparked national and international discussions on environmental and cultural preservation.
- **Tourism Potential**: The area's historical and archaeological sites offer significant tourism and educational opportunities.

### Governance and Infrastructure
The commune operates under a mayor-council system typical of Romanian local governments. The official website serves as a hub for civic engagement and administrative transparency. Infrastructure includes basic services such as education, healthcare, and local transportation, reflecting the needs of a rural community.

### International Context
Roșia Montană's history is intertwined with broader European historical entities such as the Habsburg monarchy, the Kingdom of Hungary, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These connections highlight the region's strategic importance and cultural diversity over centuries. The area's transition into modern Romania reflects the broader geopolitical shifts in Southeast Europe, including the unification of Transylvania with Romania in 1918.

### Environmental and Cultural Significance
The commune is part of a landscape rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. Its ancient mining galleries, traditional villages, and natural surroundings contribute to its unique character. Efforts to balance preservation with development underscore the ongoing relevance of Roșia Montană in national and international discussions on heritage and sustainability.

## References

1. [Rezultatele alegerilor locale din 2012. Central Electoral Bureau](http://www.beclocale2012.ro/DOCUMENTE%20BEC/REZULTATE%20FINALE/PDF/Primari/P_lista.pdf)
2. [Rezultatele alegerilor locale din 2016. Central Electoral Bureau](http://www.2016bec.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SIAL2016_P_Lista_Moc-2.xlsx)
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w-LlAOq8awziuYhuVH8d9H08FcdYNENw37rJk2Tmx3Q/edit?usp=sharing)
6. [Source](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w-LlAOq8awziuYhuVH8d9H08FcdYNENw37rJk2Tmx3Q/edit?gid=53477816#gid=53477816)
7. [Populaţia stabilă pe judeţe, municipii, oraşe şi localităti componenete la RPL_2011. National Institute of Statistics](http://www.recensamantromania.ro/rezultate-2/)
8. 2021 Romanian census
9. [Date de contact localități](https://github.com/geospatialorg/date-contact-localitati/)
10. GeoNames
11. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
12. museum-digital