Berbești

For other uses, see Berbești (disambiguation).

Berbești is a town located in Vâlcea County, Romania, about 78 km (48 mi) south-west from the county seat, Râmnicu Vâlcea, in the historical region of Oltenia. It was granted town status by law in October 2003.^[3] As of the 2021 census, it has a population of 4,231.

Berbești
Town
The Berbești train station
Coat of arms
Location in Vâlcea County
Berbești Location in Romania
Coordinates: 44°59′17″N 23°52′6″E
Country	Romania
County	Vâlcea
Government
• Mayor (2020–2024)	Milorad-Ion Cumpănășoiu[1] (PNL)
Area	54.34 km2 (20.98 sq mi)
Elevation	350 m (1,150 ft)
Population  (2021-12-01)[2]	4,231
• Density	78/km2 (200/sq mi)
Time zone	EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code	247030
Area code	(+40) 0250
Vehicle reg.	VL
Website	primaria-berbesti.ro

The town administers five villages: Dămțeni, Dealu Aluniș, Roșioara, Târgu Gângulești, and Valea Mare.

Geography and climate

Set on the lower course of the river Tărâia, a tributary of the Olteț, Berbești is crossed by the 45th parallel north.

Berbești is bordered by Mateești commune to the north, Sinești commune to the south, Alunu to the west and Copăceni to the east.

Economy

The main economic activity is coal mining that began in the 1970s. Following the economic reforms in the late 1990s, Berbești saw an economic downturn similar to most of the mono-industrial towns in Romania.^[4][5]

Natives

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
2002	5,704	—
2011	4,591	−19.5%
2021	4,231	−7.8%
Source: Census data

• Valerian Gârlă (born 1986), footballer