ERD�D (Ardud) is situated at 18 kilometers in the South part of Satu Mare, on the European highway E81. The relief of the commune Ardud is represented both by hills and plains, covering a surface of more than 14.000 hectares.

It contains many villages: Madaras, Baba Novac, Gerausa, Saratura and Ardud Vii. The first two are situated in an area with plains, the other villages are located in an area with hills, while Ardud lies in the transitional area from plain to hill, at an altitude of 140 meters above the sea level.

The Climate of this area is characteristic to the temperate-continental climate with mild winters and warm summers, and the precipitations do not exceed 600-700 liters.

The lowest temperatures that had been registered are rare and they reach -17�C and in summer the highest temperatures reach 32�C.

Under the hydrographical aspect, Erd�d is crossed by the channel Homorod witch collects/gathers the waters resulted from the precipitation from Codrului area. Even through in the summer the channel is almost dried, in the rainy springs is often threatens to flow over the dams.

The Population from Erd�d gathers a number of 6531 inhabitants and is divided in localities and ethnicities, as it follows:

                                   Hungarians       1238

                                   Romanians       4119

                                   Gypsies            736

                                   Swabians         426

                                   Others             12

It has to be mentioned here that shortly Erd�d will become a town and Madaras will be part of the town to be.

The religion of the inhabitants from Erd�d varies; there are 6 cults(Erd�d, Viile Ardud, Baba Novac):

                        Roman-Catholics         2134

                        Ortodox                      2730

                        Greek Katho;ics          888

                        Protestants                   260

                        Baptists                       187

                        Penticostals                  330

                        Others                         2

Even if there are just a few Natural Resources, they represent a special economic value, and they are represented by the five pieces of forests, which surround the place and which contain the following species: oak, bitter (Turkey oak, cerris), can, locust tree and ash tree.

After exploitation, most of these essences are retailed locally and are reevaluated by the chair factory from Erd�d. In what regards the game, Erd�d is also a place worth to be mentioned.

There are to be found wild ducks, partridges, pheasants, hares, deer, wild boar, foxes, and accidentally roe deer. A lot of hunters have spent here unforgettable moments during the hunting time, but also at the parties that followed.

The Industry of Erd�d is mainly centered on two branches: wood processing and agriculture. The wood processing is represented by the firm Ardudana - a modern chair factory, by two other firms that deal with the exploitation and the debiting of wood and by about 15 private workshops dealing with joinery and small furniture.

The agriculture and the animal breeding are the main preoccupations of the inhabitants from the surrounding villages belonging to Erd�d. In Erd�d, the manpower engaged in agriculture represents less than 25 per cent from the population. A few agricultural societies exploit surfaces of more than 100 hectares, practicing a notable agriculture.

The services offered by different firms from Erd�d are also very varied, starting with repairing workshops for different electric household elements, services for intern and international goods transportation, services for planning the verdure spots and aviochimical services; a large number of the population from Erd�d works in this domains.

An important part of the manpower from Erd�d works in different branches in Satu Mare and these people are plying between the two places.

In the last few years, tourism became more and more important. The development and capitalization of the viticultural area from Erd�d as well as the modernization of the access ways attracted the interest of different firms that wish to invest here in agrotourism.

The ruins of the castle from Erd�d, the monument and lake of Pet�fi S�ndor and the Roman-Catholic church which are a unique piece of work in Satu Mare represent major points of interest for tourists.