NEAMT

judet (county), northeastern Romania. The Eastern Carpathian and sub-Carpathian mountains rise above settlement areas situated in the valleys of the county. Neamt is drained to the southeast by the Bistrita and Moldova rivers. Piatra-Neamt (q.v.), one of the oldest settlements in Romania, is the county capital and has industries that produce chemicals, machinery, metal products, and paper. Other towns, including Roman, Bicaz, and Savinesti, have metallurgical, textile, cement, and timber industries. Several hydroelectric power stations operate on the Bistrita River, and the artificial Lake Izvorul Muntelui lies in the northwestern portion of the county. Livestock raising and fruit growing are the county's major agricultural activities, particularly in the Cracau River basin. The karstic Bicaz Gorges are a natural monument. Lake Rosu, another natural monument, contains a forest that was inundated during a landslide in 1938. Treetops rise from the lake. The Fortress of Neamt (14th century) and the Neamt Monastery, including a 15th-century church, were built by Stephen (Stefan) the Great of Moldavia near Trgu Neamt. Area 2,274 square miles (5,890 square km). Pop. (1992 prelim.) 577,600.