Overview of Romania

Profile

The Carpathian Mountains and Danube River shape the country's landscape, divided into four historical regions: Transylvania in the center, Wallachia, Moldavia, and Dobrogea. The socialist regime ended with the 1989 revolution, followed by rapid democratization and market economy transition. With diverse industries including IT, automotive, and agriculture, Bucharest has developed into one of Eastern Europe's major economic and cultural cities.

Official name: Romania
Common name: Romania
Numeric code: 642
Alpha-3 code: ROU
Alpha-2 code: RO
Population: 19.6 million (2023)
Population density: 84
Primary languages: Romanian
Major religions: Romanian Orthodox Church
National anthem: Deșteaptă-te, române!
Calling code: +40
Internet TLD: .ro

History

Originated from the union of Moldavia and Wallachia principalities (1859), gained independence in 1877. Became a socialist republic after WWII, transformed after the 1989 revolution.

Latin culture took root when the Roman Empire conquered the ancient Dacian lands. During the medieval period, the three principalities of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania rose and fell. The country unified as a personal union in the mid-19th century and achieved 'Greater Romania' after WWI, though territorial changes followed. During the Cold War, under Ceaușescu's dictatorship, it maintained equidistant diplomacy with the West. The communist regime collapsed in the 1989 Romanian Revolution, leading to NATO membership in 2004 and EU membership in 2007.

Geography & climate

The Carpathian Mountains arc through the center, with plateaus and plains extending outward. The Danube River flows along the south and east, forming the Danube Delta wetland ecosystem at the Black Sea.

Temperate continental (Black Sea coast: humid subtropical)

Area: Europe / 238397 km²
Capital: Bucharest
Largest city: Bucharest
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Lake Razim, Lake Snagov, Lake Sinoie
Bordering countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary

Natural resources

Oil, Natural gas, Coal, Rock salt, Gold, Copper, Timber, Hydropower resources, Fertile black soil, Geothermal springs

Politics

Government: Semi-presidential republic

Economy

Currency: Romanian Leu (RON)

GDP (nominal): 332 billion USD (2023)

GDP (PPP): 720 billion international dollars (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Romanian

Time zone: EET, EEST (summer time)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Romanians, Hungarians, Roma, Germans, Ukrainians, Turks, Tatars, Serbs

Life expectancy

75.5

Literacy rate

98.8

National sports

Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Rugby, Basketball, Tennis, Wrestling