Harghita County (, and , ) is a county () in the center of Romania, in eastern Transylvania, with the county seat at Miercurea Ciuc.
In 2002, Harghita County had a population of 326,222 and a population density of 52/km<sup>2</sup>.
In 2011, it had a population of 302,432 and a population density of 46/km<sup>2</sup>.
In 2021, it had a population of 291,950, and a population density of 43/km<sup>2</sup>.
Harghita county has the highest percentage of Hungarians in Romania, just ahead of Covasna county. The Hungarians form the majority of the population in most of the county's municipalities, with Romanians concentrated in the northern and eastern part of the county (particularly TopliÃÂa and BÃÂlan), as well as in the enclave of VoÃÂlÃÂbeni. Harghita and neighboring Covasna County are the only two counties in Romania that do not have an ethnic Romanian majority.
The Székelys of Harghita are mostly Roman Catholic, with Reformed and Unitarian minorities, while the ethnic Romanians are primarily Orthodox. Catholicism is strongest in the east, in the former CsÃÂkszék, while Protestants are concentrated in the south and west of Odorheiu Secuiesc. By religion, the county is divided roughly as follows:
Harghita County has a total area of 6,639 km<sup>2</sup>.
Harghita consists primarily of mountains, connected to the Eastern Carpathians, such as the Ciuc and Harghita Mountains; volcanic plateaux, foothills, and the more densely populated river valleys.
The mountains are volcanic in origin, and the region is known for its excellent hot mineral springs. Harghita is known as one of the coldest regions in Romania, although summers can be quite warm.
It is in this county that two of the most important rivers in Romania, the Mureàand the Olt, originate. These rivers' origins, near the villages of Izvoru MureÃÂului and Sândominic, are only a few miles apart; yet the Mureàflows west to the Tisza, while the Olt flows south to the Danube. In the western part of the county the two Târnava rivers (Târnava Mare and Târnava MicÃÂ) flow to the Târnava Plateau, which is part of the Transylvanian Plateau.
Harghita's spectacular natural scenery includes Sfânta Ana Lake, a volcanic crater lake near the town of BÃÂile TuÃÂnad; Lacul RoÃÂu a mountain lake in the northeast near the town of Gheorgheni, and Cheile Bicazului, a dramatic, narrow canyon formed by the Bicaz stream. The county is renowned for its spa resorts and mineral waters.
The county's main industries:
The main tourist attractions in Harghita county are
The Harghita County Council, renewed at the 2024 local elections, consists of 30 councilors, with the following party composition:
Harghita County has 4 municipalities, 5 towns and 58 communes