city, Hunedoara judeţ (county), west-central Romania, in the eastern foothills of the iron-ore-bearing Poiana Ruscăi Mountains, 185 miles (300 km) northwest of Bucharest. The ore deposits at nearby Ghelari and Teliucu were known in Roman times. Hunedoara Castle, west of the city, was completed in 1453 on the ruins of a 13th-century predecessor; it was later expanded by Matthias I Corvinus.

The first major development of the iron- and steelworks did not take place until 1884. After World War II, their expansion and modernization included blast furnaces, open-hearth furnaces, electric ore furnaces, coking and chemical works, a sintering plant, rolling mills, and related facilities. The city has become a major metallurgical production centre. Pop. (2007 est.) 71,207.

judeţ (county), western Romania, occupying an area of 2,727 square mi (7,063 square km). The Transylvanian Alps (Southern Carpathians) and the Western Carpathians rise above settlement areas in the valleys. The Mureş River and its tributaries drain the county southwestward. Deva is the county capital. Roman and Dacian archaeological remains were discovered in several towns, including Deva, Orăştie, Mintia, and Grădeştea de Munte. Archaeological finds, dating from the Neolithic Period (c. 5000–4000 BC), were found in Turdaş town. Gurusada, Sântămaria, and Strei towns are known for their 14th-century churches. Metallurgical industries operate in Deva, Călan, Hunedoara, and Sântuhalu. Copper, andesite, iron, and coal mines are worked in the county. The Ghelar and Teliuc iron mines have been operated since the Roman occupation. Chemicals and building materials are produced in Sântuhalu. Agricultural activities in the county include livestock raising and fruit and cereal cultivation. A bamboo grove is situated near Mintia, and an arboretum containing hundreds of species of plants was established in the 18th century near Simeria. Silvas Forest and the national park of Retezat are other nature reserves. The Petroşani Basin contains karst formations. Deva, Hunedoara, and Orăştie are highway and railway centres. Pop. (2007 est.) 472,284.