The geographical position
Area: 75,58 km2
Population: 4 765 people
Settlements: 252 settlements and hamlets
The Bednja municipality is in the north- west of the Zagorje principality, in the Varažinska province. It is surrounded by the mountains Ivančica (1062 m), Strahinjčica (847 m), Maceljska gora (715 m) and Ravna gora (686 m). It is a part of the road network which connects it to Varaždinska province, Krapinsko- zagorska province and further to Zagrebačka province and also to the border crossing with the Republic of Slovenia.
Larger settlements in the Bednja municipality are: Bednja, Benkovec, Brezova Gora, Cvetlin, Jamno, Jazbina Cvetlinska, Ježovec, Mali Gorenec, Meljan, Osonjak, Pašnik, Pleš, Podgorje Bednjansko, Prebukovje, Purga Bednjanska, Rinkovec, Sveti Josip, Šaša, Šinkovica Bednjanska, Šinkovica Šaška, Trakošćan, Veliki Gorenec, Vranojelje, Vrbno and Vrhovec Bednjanski. Most of the settlements are located on the hills which are 350 meters above sea level.
- Varaždin 37 km
- Ivanec 14 km
- Lepoglava 6 km
- Krapina 14 km
- Zagreb 65 km
- Ptuj 35 km
- Maribor 60 km
According to the official census in 2001 the Bednja municipality has a population of 4765 people. The municipality records two big migrations in the past 40 years due to the economic situation in the region. No migration was recorded in the past few years because of better road and other communications. The local people can now travel to their working place at a daily basis.