Bistrița is the capital city of Bistrița-Năsăud County, in northern Transylvania, Romania. It is situated on the Bistrița River. The city has a population of approximately 70,000 inhabitants, and it administers six villages: Ghinda (Windau; Vinda), Sărata (Salz; Sófalva), Sigmir (Schönbirk; Szépnyír), Slătinița (Pintak; Pinták), Unirea (Wallendorf; Aldorf) and Viișoara (Heidendorf; Besenyő).EtymologyThe town was named after the Bistrița River, whose name comes from the Slavic word bystrica meaning "fast-moving water".