The Cibin (German: Zibin; Hungarian: Szeben) is a river in central Romania, in the south part of Transylvania. Its source is close to the highest peak in the Cindrel Mountains (known also as Cibin Mountains) of the Southern Carpathian Mountains. Upstream from its confluence with the Râul Mic, the river is also called the Râul Mare. The river flows entirely in Sibiu County.

Cibin
The Cibin at Gura Râului
Location
CountryRomania
CountiesSibiu County
TownsSibiu
Physical characteristics
SourceCindrel Mountains
MouthOlt
 • location
near Tălmaciu
 • coordinates
45°38′51″N 24°17′29″E / 45.64750°N 24.29139°E / 45.64750; 24.29139
Length82 km (51 mi)
Basin size2,194 km2 (847 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • locationmouth
 • average14.7 m3/s (520 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionOltDanubeBlack Sea
Tributaries 
 • leftSăliște, Hârtibaciu
 • rightSadu

The Cibin is an important tributary of the river Olt,[1][2] flowing into it near Tălmaciu, in the immediate vicinity of the Podu Olt railway station. Its length is 82 km (51 mi) and its basin size is 2,194 km2 (847 sq mi).[2]

The river forms the depression (Sibiu Depression) in which lies the city of Sibiu, through which it flows. Close to the mountains, the river flows through the Mărginimea Sibiului area, known for its strong Romanian traditions. Two of the biggest communes of Sibiu CountyGura Râului and Orlat – are situated on the river banks.

The economical importance or the river comes from the dam close to Gura Râului, which, besides generating electrical power, represents the biggest source of drinking water for the city of Sibiu. Also a few construction aggregate quarries stations are situated on the river.

Tributaries

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The following rivers are tributaries to the river Cibin (from source to mouth):[2]

Left: Râul Mic, Breaza, Săliște (near Orlat), Rusciori, Fărmăndola, Hârtibaciu (near Veștem)

Right: Niculești, Măciuca, Crăciuneasa, Izvorul de la Degnaza, Păltiniș, Valea Cărbunarului, Valea Mare, Mărăjdia Veche, Valea Lupului, Valea Aurie, Valea Săpunului, Sebeș, Cisnădie, Valea Tocilelor, Valea Sărății, Sadu (near Tălmaciu), Lungșoara

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References

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  1. ^ "Planul național de management. Sinteza planurilor de management la nivel de bazine/spații hidrografice, anexa 7.1" (PDF, 5.1 MB). Administrația Națională Apele Române. 2010. pp. 687–688.
  2. ^ a b c Atlasul cadastrului apelor din România. Partea 1 (in Romanian). Bucharest: Ministerul Mediului. 1992. pp. 286–291. OCLC 895459847. River code: VIII.1.120