GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND ACCESS
Buzău County is located in the southeastern part of Romania, at the intersection of the historical provinces of Wallachia (Muntenia), Moldavia, and Transylvania. It covers almost the entire basin of the Buzău River, with a total area of about 6102.6–6103 km², representing roughly 2.6% of the country’s territory. To the north, it borders Brașov and Covasna counties, to the northeast Vrancea, to the east Brăila, to the south Ialomița, and to the west Prahova.
Geographical coordinates:
- Between latitudes 44°44′ N and 45°49′ N
- Between longitudes 26°04′ E and 27°26′ E
Road and Rail Access
- By Road:
- European Road E85 (DN2) connects the county with Bucharest (125 km, about 1h 30min from Otopeni Airport) and with northern Romania (Suceava, Bacău, Focșani).
- DN1B leads to Ploiești.
- A7 from Ploiesti to Mizil (recently opened)
- DN10 follows the Buzău Valley up to Brașov.
- DN2B toward Brăila, then the Danube Delta.
- By Rail:
- Main rail line 500 (Bucharest–Ploiești–Buzău–Focșani–Bacău–Suceava) ensures important national and international connections.
- From Buzău Station, there are links to Brăila, Galați, Constanța, and the mountainous area (Nehoiu).
Local Transport
Buzău’s infrastructure (national, county, and local roads) allows relatively easy travel within the plains and hills. However, for mountainous areas and certain more isolated natural attractions, 4×4 vehicles or organized tours are recommended. Public transport (buses, trains) is suitable for traveling to cities and central communes, but less efficient for reaching mountain tourist sites.
RELIEF
The county’s relief is arranged in three large tiers, descending from north to south, creating diverse, attractive landscapes for hiking and outdoor adventures:
- The Curvature Carpathians (northern area):
- Includes the Buzău Mountains and Vrancea Mountains, with maximum elevations of about 1777 m at Lăcăuți Peak and 1772 m at Penteleu Peak.
- Key massifs: Siriu, Penteleu, Podu Calului, Ivănețu. Their rounded peaks alternate with steep slopes and deep valleys, ideal for mountain trails and adventure tourism.
- Sub-Carpathian Hills (central area):
- Known as the Sub-Carpathians of Buzău, consisting of a series of ridges (e.g., Ciolanu, Istrița) and depressions (Pătârlagele, Chiojdu, Berca, etc.), with elevations between 400 and 800 m.
- Famous for spectacular natural phenomena, such as the Mud Volcanoes at Berca or the Meledic Plateau, known for its salt karst formations.
- The hillsides are often covered with orchards and vineyards; some south-facing slopes enjoy a sub-Mediterranean climate that favors viticulture (e.g., Pietroasele).
- The Romanian Plain (southern area):
- Low altitudes, between 40 and 100 m, largely fertile land (the Buzău Plain, Gherghița Plain, Râmnicu Plain), with extensive agricultural fields.
- Features lake basins (e.g., Balta Albă, Amara), wetlands, and natural salt deposits, many of which have therapeutic properties.
Geological Highlights: the subsoil is rich in resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, salt, and amber; unique phenomena like “living fires” (gas ignitions) can be witnessed in Terca village (Lopătari commune).
CLIMATE
General Features
Buzău County has a temperate-continental climate, with sub-Mediterranean influences in the southern hillside areas, where summers are hot and nights are cool—ideal for vineyard cultivation. Winters are generally mild in the south, but in the mountainous region they can be harsher, with heavy snow and blizzards.
- Temperatures:
- Average annual temperatures range between 2–4°C on the highest mountain peaks and 12–14°C in the plains.
- July is typically the hottest month (reaching up to 37°C), while February can bring lows below –10°C.
- Precipitation:
- Generally 400 to 500 mm per year in the plains, while in the mountains, it can exceed 700–800 mm.
- The best time to visit is from spring to autumn (April–October), especially for hiking in the Sub-Carpathian and mountain areas.
- Winds:
- Crivăț blowing from the northeast can bring cold winters and blizzards.
- Austrul from the southwest can cause sudden winter thaws and scorching summers.
- In the Sub-Carpathians and plains, foehn effects (dry, warm downslope winds) are often noticeable, leading to increased dryness.
HYDROGRAPHY
Rivers
- The Buzău River, the main water artery, crosses the county from northwest to southeast (~148 km). Major tributaries: Bâsca Mare, Bâsca Mică, Slănic, Sărățel, Bălăneasa, Nișcov, and Câlnău.
- The Râmnicu Sărat flows in the northeast, partially leaving the county through Vrancea before returning.
- The Călmățui River springs near the Spătaru Forest in the plains and has a relatively constant flow due to its underground water supply.
Lakes and Wetlands
- Fluvial-Liman Lakes: Balta Albă, Amara, and Ciulnița, known for therapeutic mud and varied salinity levels.
- Salt-Karst Lakes: Meledic Lake, with fresh water formed atop a salt massif in the Sub-Carpathians (Meledic Plateau).
- Man-Made Reservoirs: Siriu Lake on the Buzău Valley (used for hydroelectric power and recreation), Cândești Lake (helps protect Buzău city from flooding).
- Marshy Areas: mostly in the floodplains of the Buzău and Călmățui rivers, hosting hygrophilous vegetation and adapted fauna.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Flora
- Mountain Zone
- Subalpine belt with dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), rhododendron (Rhododendron kotschyi), blueberry shrubs.
- Conifer forests (spruce, fir) between 1000–1500 m, sometimes in mixed stands with beech.
- Sub-Carpathian Hills
- Predominantly beech forests at higher altitudes and sessile oak at lower elevations.
- Southern sunny slopes support thermophilic, even sub-Mediterranean species (downy oak, manna ash).
- Viticulture and orchard zones (Pietroasele, Merei) benefit from the favorable mild climate.
- Plains
- Transition from forest-steppe to steppe, with grassland species (fescue, feather grass, wormwood) and rare patches of oak or ash forests (e.g., Spătaru, Frasinu, and Crâng Forest in Buzău city).
- Saline soils with halophilic plants (Salicornia), while sandy areas host psammophilous species (Gypsophylla, etc.).
A highlight is the Crâng Forest in Buzău city (189 ha), featuring century-old oaks, one of which is a local natural monument.
Fauna
- Mountain: brown bears, wolves, lynx, deer, wild boars; capercaillie, golden eagle.
- Sub-Carpathian: wild boar, roe deer, foxes, hares, pheasants, numerous songbirds; the Carpathian scorpion found in salty areas (Meledic Plateau).
- Plains: small rodents (suslik, hamsters), steppe birds (skylarks, the very rare great bustard), partridges, quail.
- Wetlands, Lakes, and Rivers: fish (chub, carp, zander, barbel), waterfowl, frogs, crayfish, and other invertebrates.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
- Rich Subsoil: oil, natural gas, amber (historically mined), coal, salt (massive salt deposits creating unique karst formations, e.g., Meledic Plateau).
- Mineral Waters: at Sărata Monteoru, Siriu, Nehoiu, Lopătari – with recognized therapeutic properties.
- “Living Fires” in Lopătari: natural gas seeping through fissures and igniting spontaneously – a rare natural spectacle.
- Mud Volcanoes in the Berca-Arbănași area: small bubbling craters, a lunar-like landscape that draws many visitors.
- Salt-Karst Platform (Meledic Plateau): unique salt caves, freshwater lakes, and specialized plant species on saline substrates.
VISITING SEASON & ACTIVITIES
- Best Visiting Season: from spring (April) to autumn (October), with more stable weather and picturesque landscapes.
- Activities: mountain trails, hiking, wine tourism, ecotourism (Mud Volcanoes, Living Fires), hill cycling, fishing, and leisure in the lowland lakes.