Șona (German: Schönau; Hungarian: Szépmező) is a commune located in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania. It is composed of seven villages: Alecuș (Elekes), Biia (Magyarbénye), Doptău (Dobtanya), Lunca Târnavei (until 1964 Spini; Kistövis), Sânmiclăuș (Betlenszentmiklós), Șona, and Valea Sasului (Szászvölgy).

Șona
Szépmező
Fortified church in Șona
Fortified church in Șona
Coat of arms of Șona
Location in Alba County
Location in Alba County
Șona is located in Romania
Șona
Șona
Location in Romania
Coordinates: 46°13′N 24°01′E / 46.217°N 24.017°E / 46.217; 24.017
CountryRomania
CountyAlba
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2024) Teodor-Florin Mărginean[1] (PNL)
Area
105.8 km2 (40.8 sq mi)
Elevation
286 m (938 ft)
Population
 (2021-12-01)[2]
3,782
 • Density36/km2 (93/sq mi)
Time zoneEET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code
517755
Area code+40 258
Vehicle reg.AB
Websitecomunasona.ro

Geography

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The commune lies on the Transylvanian Plateau, on the banks of the Târnava Mică River. It is located in the northeastern part of the county, 10 km (6.2 mi) from Blaj and 50 km (31 mi) from the county seat, Alba Iulia. Șona is crossed by county road DJ107, which connects Blaj to Târnăveni, Mureș County.

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
1850 4,301—    
1900 5,635+31.0%
1941 7,024+24.6%
1977 5,939−15.4%
1992 4,647−21.8%
2002 4,514−2.9%
2011 4,067−9.9%
2021 3,782−7.0%
Source: Census data

At the 2011 census, there were 4,067 inhabitants, 68.5% of whom were Romanians, 25.2% Hungarians, and 5.8% Roma. At the 2021 census, Șona had a population of 3,782, of which 56.5% were Romanians, 20.65% Hungarians, and 12.4% Roma.[3]

Sights

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Notable sights include the Șona fortified church [ro], dating to the 16th century, and the Bethlen castle in Sânmiclăuș [ro], dating to the 17th century.

Natives

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References

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  1. ^ "Results of the 2020 local elections". Central Electoral Bureau. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (XLS). National Institute of Statistics.
  3. ^ "Populația rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (in Romanian). INSSE. 31 May 2023.