THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTIC RESOURCES IN THE SALAJ COUNTY

Covering an area of 3,850 square kms, the county of Salaj lies in the north-westwer side of Romania, as a passage between the Western and Oriental Carpathians. As it borders the counties of Satu mare and Maramures in the North, the county of Bihor in the South-West and Cluj in the South and East. Geographically, the county of Salaj stretches in an alternation of hills and valleys, alongside the rivers of Almasu, Agrij, Somes, Salaj, Crasna and Barcau. To the South-West, ethere are two Northern branches of the Apuseni Mountain Chain, namely Meses and Plopis. Vallwys are the dominant landscape on this territory and they represent important agricultural and urban areas. Evidence of the Dacian culture and civilization can be found all over the county. The most impressive trace is that of the stronghold built on the heights of Magurea Simleului, in Simleu Silvaniei. Other notable traces of the Roman conquest in this Romanian region would be the Roman, castrum" of Buciumi, Romita (Certinae), Tihau, Sutoru (Optatiana) and Romanasi (Largiana). Besides several fortresses and monuments, the architectural heritage in this region is well represented by more than 70 wooden churches, dating since the 15-18th ceturies. Among the most representative spas in the region one can note those of Boghis, which lay in the valley of Barcau river, 15 km away from Simleu Silvaniei, appreciated for the miraculous therapeutic effects of its thermal waters (of 42 degrees Celsius), its sulphur, bicarbonate waters and famous for its exquisite landscape. Tourists can take advantage from the excellent mineral waters to be found in the resort of Bizusa, laying in the valley of Somes, in the middle of a coniferous and leafy forest. Taking into account the need to ensure the existence of an efficient road network in the territory, the main economic and social developing issues in the nort-west of Romania and the main traffic flows in the region, plans are being analysed for the achievement of a highway placed on the axis Cluj-Zalau-Oradeathe Romanian-Hungarian border, and of an express road Zalau-Satu Mare-Halmeu.