Târgu Jiu

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Târgu Jiu
Coat of Arms of Târgu Jiu Location of Târgu Jiu
County Gorj County
Status County capital
Mayor Florin Cîrciumaru, Social Democratic Party, since 2000
Area 102 km²
Population (2002) 97,591
Density 956 inh/km²
Geographical coordinates 45°2′3″N, 23°16′29″E
Web site http://www.targujiu.ro/

Târgu Jiu (also spelled Tîrgu Jiu) is the capital of Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the east bank of the river Jiu.

Starting with the 1960s, coal surface mining contributed to a rapid population growth. Other local industries include wood, machine building, textiles, glassware and construction materials (cement).

During World War II the city was the site of a detention camp for political prisoners (especially members of the Romanian Communist Party).

Constantin Brancusi has several large sculptures displayed in Târgu Jiu: The Table of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, Chairs' Alley and The Endless Column.

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