Vrancea

Mărăşeşti: World War I mausoleum

Vrancea, judeƫ (county), east-central Romania, occupying an area of 1,875 square miles (4,857 square km). The Eastern Carpathian and sub-Carpathian mountains rise above settlement areas in the county’s valleys and lowlands. The southward-draining Siret River constitutes most of the county’s eastern border. The Zăbala, Rimna, and Trotuş rivers also flow southeastward into the Siret. The county is a major wine-producing area with centres located in Focşani (the county capital), Odobeşti, Coteşti, Panciu, and Iveşti. Livestock raising and cereal growing are other agricultural activities. Chemical factories operate in Mărăşeşti, and building materials are produced in Doaga, while Focşani and Gugeşti are timber-production centres. Highway and railway connections extend through Focşani. Pop. (2007 est.) 392,619.