User:Notasmile/teste/Berbesti

Berbeşti is a town located in Vâlcea County, Romania, about 78 km south-west from Râmnicu Vâlcea. It was granted town status by law in October 2003. As of January 2009, it has a population of 5,635.

History
The first official record of Berbeşti comes from February 28, 1593, when Michael the Brave issued a document (hrisov) by which the Buzeşti family was granted land in the area.

Geography and climate
Set on the lower course of the Tărâia River, a tributary of Olteţ River, Berbeşti is crossed by the 45th parallel north.

Berbeşti is bordered by Mateești commune to the north, Sineşti commune to the south, Alunu to the west and Copăceni to the east.

Economy
The main economic activity is coal mining that began in the '70s. Following the economic reforms in the late '90s Berbeşti saw an economic downturn similar to most of the mono-industrial towns in Romania.