Transylvanian Plateau

(or Transylvanian Basin; in Rumanian, Podisul Transilvaniei), a plateau in Rumania, surrounded by the Eastern and Southern Carpathians and the Western Rumanian Mountains. The elevation of the Transylvanian Plateau ranges generally between 300 and 600 m and reaches 900m at the edges. The plateau is composed mainly of Neogene sandstones and clays. There are deposits of common salt and deposits of fuel gas. The relief combines hills and cuestas, which are strongly dissected in places by ravines and by the valleys of the Someş, Mureş, and Olt rivers and their tributaries. Wheat, tobacco, and sugar beets are grown on the plateau; steppes and forest-steppes are found on the strongly dissected slopes. The principalcities are Cluj, Braşov, Sibiu, and Tirgu Mures.