TRANSYLVANIA is a historical region in today's central ROMANIA. Bound on the east and south by its natural borders, the Carpathian mountain range, historical TRANSYLVANIA extended westward to the Apuseni Mountains.
   The term sometimes encompasses not only TRANSYLVANIA proper, but also the historical regions of CRIȘANA and MARAMUREȘ, and occasionally the ROMANIAN part of BANAT.
   The region of TRANSYLVANIA is known for the scenery of its Carpathian landscape and its rich history. It also contains major cities such as CLUJ-NAPOCA, BRAȘOV, SIBIU and TÂRGU MUREȘ.
   The WESTERN WORLD commonly associates TRANSYLVANIA with vampires, due to the influence of BRAM STOKER's novel DRACULA and its many film adaptation (i.s.).