ZALAU

town, capital of Salaj judet (county), northwestern Romania. It is located in an isolated part of the country on the northwestern slopes of the Mezes Mountains. It is the terminal of a branch line railway and a local market centre for the district's agricultural produce. A furniture factory in Zala u uses timber from the surrounding hills. The town has an archaeological museum that contains artifacts dating from prehistoric times, as well as materials from the Roman occupation. Highways and a railway connection pass through Zalau. Pop. (1989 est.) 65,190.