MEHEDINTI

judet (county), southwestern Romania. It is bounded on the west and south by Yugoslavia (Serbia) and Bulgaria. The mountain ranges of Cernei and Almaj, part of the Transylvanian Alps (Southern Carpathians), and the sub-Carpathians rise above settlement areas in the valleys. The Danube River, flowing southeastward, marks the county's southern border, and the Motru and Cerna rivers and several tributaries drain the area southward. Drobeta-Turnu Severin, a centre for machinery and timber production, serves as the county seat. Textiles and foodstuffs are produced in several towns within the county. Stone quarries have been worked near Gura Vaii since Roman times. The county's agricultural activities consist of livestock raising and cereal growing. Electricity for the county is supplied by the Iron Gates I hydroelectric project, which was built between 1964 and 1971 on the Danube. Construction of the Iron Gates II project began during the late 1970s and was completed in 1984. Ada Kaleh, formerly the only inhabited island in the Danube, was submerged when the Iron Gates I hydroelectric project was built. By legend, the island was the place from which the Argonauts brought the olive that they introduced to Greece. Historic remnants in Mehedinti county include a Roman castrum found at the port of Orsova and a Roman sundial discovered near Ogradina. During ancient times, the Vetereni Cave near Ogradina was believed to be a sanctuary of the Dacian god Zamolxis. The 14th-century castle of Golubet is situated near Svinita, a small coal-mining town. A nature reserve at Mount Babele contains rare species of irises, pinks, and fig trees. Highway and railway connections in the county extend through Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Vnju Mare, and Strehaia. Area 1,892 square miles (4,900 square km). Pop. (1990 est.) 329,600.