Hălmagiu is a commune in Arad County, Romania. Hălmagiu commune is situated in the basin with the same name, at the confluence of the Hălmăgel and Crișul Alb Rivers, at the foot of Bihor Mountains. It stretches over 8400 hectares. It is composed of eleven villages: Bănești (Zarándbánya), Bodești (Bogyafalva), Brusturi (Páfrányos), Cristești (Keresztespatak), Hălmagiu (situated at 136 km from Arad), Ionești (Körösivánd), Leasa (Sövényes), Leștioara (Kisles), Poienari (Halmágymező), Tisa (Tiszafalva) and Țărmure (Martfalva).

Name

The name of Hălmagiu is of Hungarian origin, derived from alma, apple and ágy meaning river bed.

Population

According to the last census, the population of the commune counts 3562 inhabitants, out of which 99.9% are Romanians and 0.1% are of other or undeclared nationalities.

History

The first documentary record of the locality Hălmagiu dates back to 1390, Bănești, Bodești and Ionești in 1441, Brusturi in 1360, Cristești in 1464, Leasa, Tisa and Țărmure in 1439, Leștioara in 1477 and Poienari in 1760–1762.

Economy

Although the economy of the commune is prevalent agricultural, the secondary and tertiary economic sectors have also developed recently. The commune is known as an important fructiferous basin of the region. Due to the small industry represented by handicraft, Hălmagiu has become an important centre of furriery and producing of wooden tools. The main exploitable resources are andesite, complex iron ore and banded clay.

Tourism

The main attractions of the commune are: