Baia Mare is an important city in northern Romania and the seat of Maramureş County. It is located in the northern part of the county, on the middle course of the Săsar River, at an average altitude of 228 metres, surrounded by the Igniş and Gutâi mountains.
The city has an area of 233 km² and also contains the following settlements: Blidari, Firiza, Valea Neagră(The Black Valley) and Valea Borcutului. In terms of area, Baia Mare, including the previously mentioned settlements and the forests within the city limits, is one of the largest cities in Romania, being a few square miles larger than the country's capital, Bucharest.
