World Atlas: Romania. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Romania.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Romania. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Romania. But let's start with the flag of Romania here:
Romania - Overview:
What you should know about Romania? Let's start with this: 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 of Romania
Where on the globe is Romania? The location of this country is Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine. Total area of Romania is 238,391 sq km, of which 229,891 sq km is land. So this is quite a large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: 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. The lowest point of Romania is Black Sea 0 m, the highest point Moldoveanu 2,544 m. And the climate is temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms.
Inhabitants of Romania
Let's take a look how many people live in Romania. The number is: 21,529,967 (July 2017 est.). So quite a lot people live here. Who lives here? Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.). What are the languages in Romania? Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.). And the religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 81.9%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformed and Pentecostal) 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3% (2011 est.). How old are the people in average? 41.1 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 75.4 years. Where the people live in Romania? Here: urbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania. The major urban areas of Romania are: Bucharest (capital) 1.868 million (2015).
Government and Economy of Romania
The capital of Romania is Bucharest and the government type semi-presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 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, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea. Regarding the economy of Romania, important industrial products are electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials. Important agricultural products are wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep. The most important export commodities are machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, agricultural products and foodstuffs, metals and metal products, chemicals, minerals and fuels, raw materials and the most important export partners are Germany 21.5%, Italy 11.6%, France 7.2%, Hungary 5.2%, UK 4.3% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, chemicals, agricultural products and foodstuffs, fuels and minerals, metals and metal products, raw materials and the most important import partners are Germany 20.5%, Italy 10.3%, Hungary 7.5%, France 5.6%, Poland 5.1%, China 5.1%, Netherlands 4.1% (2016). How rich is Romania and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $24,000 (2017 est.). This means the living standards are good here. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 22.4% (2012 est.).