Breaza (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈbre̯aza]) is a town in Prahova County, Muntenia, Romania. The town center consists of at least two former villages, Podu Vadului and Breaza de Sus, which were later merged. Today, ten villages are administratively part of the town: Breaza de Jos, Breaza de Sus, Frăsinet, Gura Beliei, Irimești, Nistorești, Podu Corbului, Podu Vadului, Surdești, and Valea Târsei.

Breaza
Breaza railway station
Breaza railway station
Coat of arms of Breaza
Location in Prahova County
Location in Prahova County
Breaza is located in Romania
Breaza
Breaza
Location in Romania
Coordinates: 45°11′14″N 25°39′44″E / 45.18722°N 25.66222°E / 45.18722; 25.66222
CountryRomania
CountyPrahova
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2024) Bogdan Cristian Novac[1] (USR)
Area
50.69 km2 (19.57 sq mi)
Elevation
450 m (1,480 ft)
Highest elevation
600 m (2,000 ft)
Lowest elevation
380 m (1,250 ft)
Population
 (2021-12-01)[2]
14,871
 • Density290/km2 (760/sq mi)
Time zoneEET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code
105400
Area code(+40) 02 44
Vehicle reg.PH
Websiteprimariabreaza.ro

Geography

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The town is situated in the foothills of the Baiu and Bucegi mountains, at an altitude of about 450 m (1,480 ft). It lies on the banks of the river Prahova, towards the southern end of the Prahova Valley. Breaza is located in the northwestern part of the county, 42 km (26 mi) from the county seat, Ploiești.

History

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
195611,122—    
196612,733+14.5%
197717,583+38.1%
199219,329+9.9%
200218,863−2.4%
201115,928−15.6%
202114,871−6.6%
Source: Census data

The town's name is derived from a Slavic word, breza, meaning "birch tree".[3]

The town was first documented in an act of 1503, mentioning a certain trader of Breaza called "Neagoe". In 1622 the land of Breaza was divided between four boyars and in 1717, the new ruler of Wallachia, Nicolae Mavrocordat gave the Breaza estate to boyar Iordache Crețulescu. The land was divided by the agrarian reform of 1921 and in 1935 it was declared a spa.

Economy

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One of the main occupations is farming, and traditional needlework, but many inhabitants also commute to work in the neighboring towns of Comarnic and Câmpina. Tourism is also important for the local economy, and many locals rent out rooms in the summer months.

Due to its naturally beautiful surroundings, being located among rolling hills, the town has long been popular with inhabitants of Bucharest, who tend to have vacation homes here. Among the people who had second residences in Breaza were Adrian Păunescu.[4]

It is also the site of a folk art museum and a military high school [ro].

Natives

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Climate

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Breaza has a humid continental climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification).

Climate data for Breaza
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2
(36)
3.9
(39.0)
8.6
(47.5)
14.1
(57.4)
18.9
(66.0)
22.4
(72.3)
24.5
(76.1)
24.6
(76.3)
19.6
(67.3)
13.8
(56.8)
8.5
(47.3)
3.7
(38.7)
13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.4
(27.7)
−0.6
(30.9)
3.6
(38.5)
9.3
(48.7)
14.4
(57.9)
18.1
(64.6)
20.1
(68.2)
20
(68)
15.1
(59.2)
9.4
(48.9)
4.5
(40.1)
−0.5
(31.1)
9.3
(48.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6
(21)
−4.7
(23.5)
−1.2
(29.8)
4.1
(39.4)
9.1
(48.4)
13
(55)
15.1
(59.2)
15.1
(59.2)
10.7
(51.3)
5.4
(41.7)
1.3
(34.3)
−3.6
(25.5)
4.9
(40.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 46
(1.8)
46
(1.8)
63
(2.5)
96
(3.8)
147
(5.8)
159
(6.3)
154
(6.1)
118
(4.6)
77
(3.0)
66
(2.6)
57
(2.2)
55
(2.2)
1,084
(42.7)
Source: https://en.climate-data.org/europe/romania/prahova/breaza-15254/

References

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  1. ^ "Results of the 2020 local elections". Central Electoral Bureau. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (XLS). National Institute of Statistics.
  3. ^ Iordan, Iorgu (1963). Toponimia romînească. Bucharest: Editura Academiei Republicii Populare Romîne. p. 80. OCLC 460710897.
  4. ^ "Adrian Păunescu juca fotbal la Breaza, unde familia sa deține o casă bătrânească și o pensiune". Adevărul (in Romanian). November 5, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2022.