CARAS-SEVERIN

judet (county), southwestern Romania. It is bounded on the south and west by Yugoslavia. The Transylvanian Alps (Southern Carpathians), including the ranges of Semenic, Cernei, and Poiana Rusca, rise above settlement areas in the intermontane valleys. The eastward-flowing Danube River and its tributaries, including the Timis River, drain the county. Resita (q.v.) is the county capital. The county's agricultural activities include livestock raising and cereal and fruit cultivation. Iron, manganese, feldspar, pyrite, coal, and anthracite mines operate in the county, and marble is quarried near Ruschita. Resita, Bocsa, and Otelu Rosu have metal-products and machinery industries. Building materials are produced in Cavaran, and several towns in the area have factories producing wood products and foodstuffs. A hydroelectric plant operates on the Nerganita River near Valiug. The battle of Tapae, fought between the Dacians and Romans, took place at the Iron Gate of Transylvania Pass (2,293 feet ), located about 24 miles (39 km) east of Caransebes. Extending south from Caransebes, a highway follows a Roman road built along the Timis River. Plugova, Mechadia, Teregova, and Baile Herculane are towns in the Timis valley in which the Romans built camps. Flint implements from the Paleolithic Period (about 2,500,000 years ago) and Neolithic objects were found in caves near Baile Herculane. The nearby Mount Domogled Nature Reserve has a large variety of butterflies and moths. Borlova and Valiug are mountain resorts. Railway and highway connections extend through Resita and Caransebes. Area 3,283 square miles (8,503 square km). Pop. (1992 prelim.) 375,800.