Craiova

The Economy

A proof of the continuous demographic development of Craiova is the increase of the urban population:In 1735 there were over 4000 inhabitants (836 families),and figure rose to 25,000 inhabitants in 1859.By the end of the 19th century it rose above 40 000 inhabitants. In the year 1910 Craiova's population numbered 51,400 inhabitants, which was the second town after the capital. Statistics of subsequent years are listed as follows:

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• in 1930 - 63,215 inhabitants.
• in 1948 - 84,574 inhabitants.
• in 1956 - 96,897 inhabitants.
• in 1965 - 150,098 inhabitants.
• in 1975 - 197,820 inhabitants.
• in 1985 - 275,098 inhabitants.
• in 1995 - 308,000 inhabitants.
• in 2005 - 320,000 inhabitants.

During the first two decades of the 19th century, Craiova was characterized by the economic town flourish, increasing interest of its inhabitants in the handicraft commercial (trade) field, and public services. In comparison with other urbane centers, Craiova is regarded as an important commercial administrative cultural center.

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During the Czarist rule (1828-1834), Craiova underwent important economic development. In 1832 there were 595 shops, from which 197 made of wood and 398 made of brick (wall). The town was still the commercial center of Oltenia; Craiova exported cereals (grains), furs (skins), animals etc. to in Austria and Turkey.

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Around 1860, there were 4 633 buildings in Craiova, from which 3220 houses, 26 churches, 11 school, 60 factories and work shop. There were about 90 industrial establishments from which 12 mills, 3 beer factories, 2 gas and oil factories, 4 tanning yards and 2 printing works. Statistics mention the existence of 57% from the total number of handicraftsmen of county Dolj in Craiova (1088 handicraftsmen, 687 journeymen and 485 apprentices).

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On October 26, 1896, the power station from Craiova began to function (with AEG -Allemeine Elektricitats- Gesellschaft Equipments) having an installed power of 310 CP and which supplied 365 lamps on 39 sheets in a net that was 30 km length. Craiova was the first town supplied with electric power on the bases of internal combustion motors.

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In 1900 Craiova had 43.1% of industrial units of Oltenia, counting 924 industrial concerns (include 20 big industry establishments, hiring 1078 workers).

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In 1925 there were 40 big industry establishments and in 1930 there were 5530 workers.

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The banking trade also developed at the beginning of the 20th century (there were 6 banks and 2 exchange houses already).

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In the period between the two wars, Craiova situated in an eminently agrarian region with little industrialization. The number of people who chose the industrialized way was very small.

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In 1939 there were in Craiova 7 shops (industrial units) with over 100 workers: Cloth Industry "Oltenia", "Scrisul Romanesc" were well-known all over the country and abroad.

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Since 1960 the city has become a powerful industrial center: the construction of machines and equipment industry, aeronautic industry, chemical industry, food industry, building materials industry, electrotechnical industry, extractive industry, power industry.

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The Revolution from the 1989 brought many important changes in the economic field, by setting up the free market and by decentralizing the management of all national economic sector. The spirit of property was enforced by the liberalization of private initiative and by the privatization of some goods that had belonged exclusively to the State.

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The working population - about 11,000 persons - is distributed in the following way: 38% in the industrial field, 15% in the trade and repair field, 10% in the transport and depositing field, 8% in the education field, 5.7% medical field.

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Sources:

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• History of Craiova - "Scrisul Romanesc" Publishing House -1977
• Craiova , guide of the town - Florea Firan, Alex Firescu, Sport-Turism Publishing House, 1982
• Statistical documentary about the economic and social evolution of Craiova municipality - Dolj County Statistical Office, 1992
• The history of Craiova - "Scrisul Romanesc" Publishing House, 1977
• Serving the light for a century. Oltenia Energetic - monography - "Aius" Publishing House, Craiova, 1996