Ivano-Frankivsk Region
Ivano-Frankivsk region is located in the geographical center of Europe, in the south-west of Ukraine and borders on Transcarpathian, Lviv, Ternopil and Chernivtsi Region of Ukraine. In the extreme south it has a state border length of 50 km from Maramures County (Romania).
The Region covers a territory of 13,9 thousand square kilometers. From the point of view of relief forms, the highest mountains in Ukraine are located in Ivano-Frankivsk Region. The Eastern Carpathians cover one third of its territory. Foothills and plains cover the rest of the territory. The highest mounts are: Hoverla (2061 m), Pip-Ivan (2028 m), Syvulya (1836 m).
Rivers in the greater part are mountain-fed and create cascades and water-falls. The biggest rivers are the Dnister River and the Prut River.
The climate of the Region is continental. Winters are mild with an average temperature in January of 5 ºС. Summers are warm with an average temperature in July of +18 ºС. In the Carpathians, the climate is more severe. Average temperatures are lower by 3-5 ºС than in the pre-mountain zone. Such climatic conditions facilitate year-round rest and vacation. Snow covers the slopes of the Carpathians up to five months of the year, which promotes the development of downhill skiing.
There are 15 cities in Ivano-Frankivsk region, including 5 cities of regional subordination. The largest city in the region is its regional center – city of Ivano-Frankivsk. Besides, there are two mid-sized cities - Kalush and Colomyya. There are 24 urban settlements in the region and 765 rural units, which are subordinated to 477 local self-governments (village councils).
In January 2012, the Region had a population of 1,38 million people.
Maramureş County
Maramureş County is located in the north western part of Romania and covers an area of 6304 sq. km, which represents 2.6% of the country’s total area. It has Suceava County as neighbor in the east, Bistriţa-Năsăud, Cluj and Sălaj Counties in the south, Satu Mare County in the west, and in the north it has state border with Ukraine on a length of 154km, of which Tisa River represents around 40% (62km).
From the point of view of relief forms, the county has the following structure: mountains area cover 43% of the territory, 30% is covered by hills and plateaux and 27% by flatlands and meadows.
Mountain region includes peaks and depressions that belong to the Eastern Carpathians:
Maramureş County has got a rich hydrographic network, with a length of over 3100km. Two river systems – the Tisa and the Somes – drain the county.
The climate of Maramureş is temperate continental influenced by the mountains and having as specific feature a thermic moderate regime, high humidity with rich athmospheric precipitations.
Maramures County has 76 administrative units, from which: 2 main towns (Baia Mare and Sighetu Marmatiei); 11 towns (among which we can mention: Borşa, Vişeu de Sus, Baia Sprie, Târgu-Lăpuş, Seini, Cavnic) and 63 communes (with 226 villages). In July 2008, the estimation of county’s population was 511,828 people, representing 2.4% of the total population of Romania.
