Carașova

Carașova is a commune in Caraș-Severin County, Romania. It is known especially for its geographical placement and for the origin of its Croatian inhabitants, the Krashovani. The population of the commune numbered 3,260 people at the 2002 census. The commune is composed of three villages: Carașova, Iabalcea and Nermed .LocationCarașova is located in Caraș-Severin County, in the historical region of Banat, at a distance of 15 kilometers from Reșița. It is found in a mountainous area, near the entrance to the Semenic-Cheile Carașului National Park.DemographicsAccording to the 2011 census in Romania, the population of Carașova municipality comprises 78.28% Croats, 7.58% Romanians, 6.93% others (presumably declared Krashovani), and 5.6% Romani.Most of the ethnic Krashovani declared themselves as Croats in the 2002 and 2011 censuses, although in the past they mostly were declaring themselves as Krashovani.LanguageThe commune is officially bilingual, with both Romanian and Croatian being used as working languages on public signage and in administration, education and justice.ReligionMost of the inhabitants of the commune are Roman Catholics.