The municipality of Bistrița is located in the northeastern part of the Transylvanian Plateau, in the Bistrița Depression. It is the capital of Bistrița-Năsăud county and covers an area of 14,547 hectares, including its six component localities: Unirea, Slătinița, Ghinda, Viișoara, Sigmir, and Sărata. Surrounded by hills covered with orchards, the city stretches over flat terrain, crossed by the Bistrița River. The built-up area covers approximately 2,058 hectares. The relief is marked by the morphological subunit of the Bistrița Hills, and the depression is open to the west and east, bordered by the Cetate, Bistriței, Ciuha, Corhana, Cocoș, Jelnei, and Codrișor hills. The Bistrița River, which originates from under the peak of Bistriciorul in the Călimani Mountains, crosses the depression and flows into the Șieu River. The climate is temperate-continental, with humid and relatively warm summers, and less dry and relatively cold winters. The average annual temperature is 8.3°C, with extreme temperatures ranging from -33.8°C to +37.6°C.
History
The city of Bistrița has been documented as a city since 1264 and rapidly developed its urbanism, influenced by medieval German colonization. Urban development was marked by the construction of fortifications starting in 1465. In the 16th century, stone constructions were made, and the city became one of the most representative in Transylvania. After World War II, the city underwent significant changes, with the expansion of residential areas and industry.
Population
The population of the city has had a varied ethnic and religious composition over time. At the 1930 census, the city had approximately 14,128 inhabitants, with significant communities of Romanians, Germans, Jews, and Hungarians. According to the 2012 census, the stable population of the municipality was 75,076 people, with a Romanian majority, but also Hungarian, Roma, German, and other minority communities.