Europe :: Romania
page last updated on June 14, 2011
Flag of Romania
Location of Romania
 
Map of Romania
Introduction ::Romania
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.
Geography ::Romania
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
46 00 N, 25 00 E
total: 238,391 sq km
country comparison to the world: 82
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
slightly smaller than Oregon
total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km
225 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
arable land: 39.49%
permanent crops: 1.92%
other: 58.59% (2005)
31,570 sq km (2008)
42.3 cu km (2003)
total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%)
per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003)
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
People ::Romania
21,904,551 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
0-14 years: 14.8% (male 1,667,894/female 1,579,458)
15-64 years: 70.4% (male 7,684,514/female 7,725,957)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 1,314,132/female 1,932,596) (2011 est.)
total: 38.7 years
male: 37.3 years
female: 40.2 years (2011 est.)
-0.252% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
9.55 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
11.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
-0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
urban population: 57% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
BUCHAREST (capital) 1.933 million (2009)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
total: 11.02 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 143
male: 12.44 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
total population: 73.98 years
country comparison to the world: 109
male: 70.5 years
female: 77.66 years (2011 est.)
1.29 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
16,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
improved:
urban: 88% of population
rural: 54% of population
total: 72% of population
unimproved:
urban: 12% of population
rural: 46% of population
total: 28% of population (2008)
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Romanian (official) 91%, Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.3%
male: 98.4%
female: 96.3% (2002 census)
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2008)
4.3% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 93
Government ::Romania
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
republic
name: Bucharest
geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized on 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)
Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003
civil law system
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Marko BELA (since 23 December 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
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elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 November 2009 with runoff on 6 December 2009 (next to be held in November-December 2014); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament
election results: Traian BASESCU reelected president; percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 50.3%, Mircea GEOANA 49.7%
bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL 32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%; seats by alliance/party - PDL 115, PSD-PC 114, PNL 65, UDMR 22, ethnic minorities 18
Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies
Conservative Party or PC [Daniel CONSTANTIN] (formerly Humanist Party or PUR); Democratic Liberal Party or PDL [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Crin ANTONESCU]; National Union for Romania's Progress or UNPR [Gabriel OPREA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Victor PONTA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR)
other: various human rights and professional associations
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian Cosmin VIERITA
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark GITENSTEIN
embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest
mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300
FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which united in 1862 to form Romania; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed
note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)
lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
Economy ::Romania
Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. Romania's GDP contracted markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and GDP fell more than 7% in 2009, prompting Bucharest to seek a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders. Drastic austerity measures, as part of Romania's IMF-led agreement led to a further 1.9% GDP contraction in 2010. The economy is expected to return to positive growth in 2011.
$254.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$257.4 billion (2009 est.)
$277 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
$161.6 billion (2010 est.)
-1.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
-7.1% (2009 est.)
7.3% (2008 est.)
$11,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$11,700 (2009 est.)
$12,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
agriculture: 12.8%
industry: 36%
services: 51.2% (2010 est.)
9.35 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
agriculture: 29.7%
industry: 23.2%
services: 47.1% (2006)
8.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
7.8% (2009 est.)
25% (2005 est.)
lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 20.8% (2006)
32 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 104
28.8 (2003)
21.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
revenues: $50.89 billion
expenditures: $62 billion (2010 est.)
34.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
24% of GDP (2009 est.)
6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
5.6% (2009 est.)
NA%
17.28% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
14.99% (31 December 2008 est.)
$24.39 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$26.03 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$63.67 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$61.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$77.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$72.45 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$30.32 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 63
$19.92 billion (31 December 2008)
$44.93 billion (31 December 2007)
wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep
electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining
1.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
49.44 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
5.169 billion kWh (2008 est.)
921 million kWh (2008 est.)
117,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
214,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
115,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
217,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
600 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
11.42 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
16.92 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
63 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$-7.934 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
$-7.139 billion (2009 est.)
$51.91 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$40.6 billion (2009 est.)
machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products
Germany 18.76%, Italy 15.42%, France 8.2%, Turkey 4.99%, Hungary 4.33% (2009)
$59.84 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$50.03 billion (2009 est.)
machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, metals, agricultural products
Germany 17.3%, Italy 11.78%, Hungary 8.36%, France 6.14%, China 4.91%, Austria 4.75% (2009)
$50.51 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$44.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$108.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$110 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$80.16 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$73.96 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$1.831 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$1.731 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
lei (RON) per US dollar -
3.2 (2010)
3.0493 (2009)
2.5 (2008)
2.43 (2007)
2.809 (2006)
Communications ::Romania
5.313 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
25.377 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services
domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, expanding rapidly, roughly 115 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2009)
a mixture of public and private TV stations; the public broadcaster operates multiple stations; roughly 100 private national, regional, and local stations operating; more than 75% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems that provide access to Romanian, European, and international stations; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations; more than 100 private radio stations broadcasting (2008)
.ro
2.464 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 34
7.787 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 37
Transportation ::Romania
54 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 21 (2010)
3 (2010)
gas 3,652 km; oil 2,424 km (2010)
total: 10,784 km
country comparison to the world: 21
broad gauge: 57 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 10,645 km 1.435-m gauge (4,002 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 5 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)
total: 81,713 km (does not include urban roads)
country comparison to the world: 57
paved: 66,632 km (includes 321 km of expressways)
unpaved: 15,081 km (2009)
1,731 km (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals) (2006)
country comparison to the world: 47
total: 15
country comparison to the world: 102
by type: cargo 10, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 35 (Cambodia 1, Georgia 7, Liberia 3, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 2, Moldova 2, North Korea 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 4, Syria 1, Togo 1, unknown 1) (2010)
Braila, Constanta, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Midia, Tulcea
Military ::Romania
Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2010)
18-35 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription officially ended October 2006; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive contracts for 3-year terms until age 36 (2009)
males age 16-49: 5,601,234
females age 16-49: 5,428,939 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 4,550,409
females age 16-49: 4,507,880 (2010 est.)
male: 117,798
female: 111,607 (2010 est.)
1.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Transnational Issues ::Romania
the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos