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Capital Bucharest
44°25? N 26°06? E Largest city Bucharest Official language(s) Romanian Romanian War of Independence
10 May 1877
13 July 1878 (Treaty of Berlin) Area
• Total
• Water (%)
22,329,977 (49th)
21,698,181
91.3/km˛ (102nd)
{{{population_densitymi˛}}}/mi˛ 2005 estimate
224.795 billion USD (42nd)
10,067 USD (65th) 0.792 (64th) – medium Currency Time zone
• Summer (DST) EET (UTC+2)
EEST (UTC+3) Internet TLD .ro Calling code +40 |
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Romania Information
Main article: History of Romania
In 513 BC, south of the Danube, the tribal confederation of the Getae were defeated by Darius during his campaign against the Scythians (Herodotus IV.93). Over half a millennium later, the Getae (also named Daci by Romans) were defeated by the Roman Empire under Emperor Trajan in two campaigns stretching from 101 to 106, and the core of their kingdom was turned into the Roman province of Dacia. The Gothic and Carpic campaigns in the Balkans during 238–256 forced the Roman Empire to reorganize a new Roman province of Dacia south of Danube, inside former Moesia Superior. Romanian historians claim that Dacians are the direct ancestors of present-day Romanians.
 Sibiu, the former Herrmannstadt, retains its historic mediaeval center
Sibiu, the former Herrmannstadt, retains its historic mediaeval center
In 271 the ancient Dacia became the Kingdom of the Goths until the end of the fourth century, when it was included in the Hunnic Empire. The Gepids and the Avars ruled Transylvania until the 8th century, after which the Bulgars included Romania in their Empire until 1000. The Pechenegs, the Cumans and Uzes were also mentioned by historic chronicles on the territory of Romania until the founding of the Vlachian principalities of Wallachia by Basarab I, and Moldavia by Drago? during the 13th and 14th centuries respectively. In the Middle Ages, Romanians lived in three distinct principalities: Wallachia, Moldavia, Transylvania.
In 1475, Stephen the Great of Moldavia scored a decisive victory over the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vaslui. Wallachia and Moldavia would later come under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire during the 15th and 16th centuries respectively, with internal autonomy under the millet system, and brief periods of independence. Moldova lost its eastern side Bessarabia to the Russian Empire in 1812 (though partially regained it with the Treaty of Paris in 1856), its northern part Bukovina to the Austrian Empire in 1775 and its south-eastern part Budjak to the Ottoman Empire.
Hungary and Transylvania became possessions of the Houses of Anjou and Habsburg). One of the greatest Hungarian kings, Matthias Corvinus (known in Romanian as Matei Corvin, ruled 1458–1490)— was born in Transylvania, and is claimed by the Romanians because of his half-Romanian father, Iancu de Hunedoara (Hunyadi János in Hungarian), and by the Hungarians because of his Hungarian mother. Later, in 1541, Transylvania became a multi-ethnic principality under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire following the Battle of Mohács. At the end of the 18th century, the Austrian Habsburgs incorporated Transylvania into the Austrian Empire. During the time of the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary (1867–1918), Romanians in Transylvania experienced oppression in the form of the Magyarization policies of the Hungarian government.
 Pele? Castle, Sinaia, retreat of the Romanian monarchs
Pele? Castle, Sinaia, retreat of the Romanian monarchs
The modern state of Romania was formed by the merging of the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia in Russia the two southern districts of Bessarabia which had been regained by Moldavia after the Crimean War in 1852, the Kingdom of Romania acquired Dobruja. In 1881 the principality was raised to a kingdom and Prince Carol I became King Carol I.
In spite of its previous alliance with Imperial Germany and Austria-Hungary, Romania entered World War I on the side of the Triple Entente in a move aimed at acquiring Transylvania. By war's end Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire had collapsed, allowing Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania to unite with the Kingdom of Romania in 1918. Union of Transylvania with Romania was ratified in the Treaty of Trianon in 1920.
In Hungary and Bulgaria. Because Romania participated in the invasion of the Soviet Union, the country recovered Bessarabia and northern Bukovina under the leadership of general Ion Antonescu. During the Second World War, the Antonescu regime, allied with Nazi Germany, played an active role in the Holocaust, following its policy of oppression and massacre of the Jews, and, to a lesser extent, Roma. According to a report released on 2004 by the independent commision appointed by former Romanian president Ion Iliescu and chaired by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, the Romanian authorities were the main perpetrators in the planning and implementation of the killing of between 280,000 to 380,000 Jews, primarily in the Eastern territories Romania recovered or occupied from the Soviet Union and in Moldavia (historical region)[1], though some estimates are even higher.
In August Germany was not recognized by the Paris Peace Conference of 1947.
With the Red Army forces still stationed in the country and exerting defacto control, communists and their allied parties claimed 80% of the vote in the 1946 Romanian elections, through a combination of vote manipulation, elimination and forced mergers of competing parties, establishing themselves as the dominant force; Western democracies left Romania in the hands of the Soviet Union. In 1947, King Michael I was forced by the communists to abdicate and leave the country. Romania was proclaimed a communist state, under direct military and economic control of the USSR until 1958. During this period, Romania's scarce resources left after WWII were drained by the "SovRom" agreements: mixed Soviet-Romanian companies established in the aftermath of World War II to mask the looting of Romania by the Soviet Union, in addition to excessive war reparations paid to the USSR. During this dark period, hundreds of thousands of people were imprisoned for political reasons, there were thousands of abuses, deaths and incidents of torture against political opponents, bringing gloom over Romania.
 Unirii Boulevard and the Palatul Parlamentului, Bucharest; legacies of the Communist era.
Unirii Boulevard and the Bucharest; legacies of the Communist era.
A short-lived period of relative economic well-being and openness followed in late 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s, still regarded by some as a "golden era". This period gradually ended, first politically, and then economically. Some party leaders (such as Ion Iliescu, Corneliu Manescu, or Gheorghe Apostol) who questioned the achievements of the regime during the latter portion of this era, were sent to lower positions, which, in 1989, justified their "dissident" position. From an economic point of view, Romania's foreign debt sharply increased between 1977 and 1981 (from 3 to 10 billion US dollars). Thus, the influence of international financial organisms such as the IMF or the World Bank grew, conflicting with Ceau?escu's autarchic policies. Ceau?escu eventually initiated a project of total reimbursement of the foreign debt (completed in 1989, shortly before his overthrow). To achieve this goal, he imposed policies that impoverished Romanians and exhausted the Romanian economy. He profoundly deepened Romania's police state (see Securitate) and imposed a cult of personality.
One positive achievement of the Communist period was the spread of near-universal Egypt and Israel-PLO peace processes.
The Communist dictatorship ended Romanian Party for Social Democracy (PDSR) or the Alliance for Romania (APR). Throughout several elections, coalitions, and governments, parties that emerged from the FSN governed or participated in the government of Romania from 1990 to 1996, and then from 2000 until today.
In 1996, the CDR entered power on a "Contract with Romania" platform which would have required the CDR to resign en masse after 200 days from a mixed coalition government. Some members had signed on to the contract programme, while others had not; once in power, the "Contract" was repudiated. The major CDR parties were electorally eviscerated in 2000, and the Social Democrats returned to power, with Ion Iliescu once again president of Romania and Adrian N?stase, the president of the Social-Democratic Party (PSD), as prime minister.
On National-Liberal Party. The government was formed by a larger coalition which also included the Romanian Humanist Party (now called Conservative Party) and the ethnic Hungarian party UDMR.
Following the end of the Cold War in 1989, Romania developed closer ties with Western Europe, joined NATO in 2004 and became an acceding country to the European Union, being at an advanced stage to join on January 1, 2007. The Treaty of Accession of Romania has been signed by EU member states' representatives in Luxembourg, Abbaye de Neumünster, on April 25, 2005. Ratification of the Romanian and Bulgarian Accession Treaty is ongoing in the parliaments of all member states.
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Main article: Politics of Romania
Romania is a democratic republic. The legislative branch of the Romanian government consists of two chambers, Senatul (The Senate), which has 137 members (as of 2004), and Camera Deputa?ilor (The Chamber of Deputies), which has 332 members (as of 2004). The members of both chambers are elected every four years.
The President is also elected by popular vote, every five years (until 2004, four years).
The President appoints the Prime Minister, who heads the Government, and the members of the Government, which are in fact choosen by the Prime Minister. In fact the Prime Minister is a member of the party or of the coallition that holds the majority in The Parliament. The President can choose the Prime minister only if none of the parties hold 50% + 1 of the total number of the members of the Parliament. The Government is subject to a parliamentary vote of approval.
The judicial power belongs to Înalta Curte de Justi?ie ?i Casa?ie (The High Court of Justice and Casation).
There also exists Curtea Constitu?ional? (The Constitutional Court) that judges the constutionality of any document issued by any of Romania's institutions (Parliament, Government, Presidency, etc.). This institution is clearly one inherited from the comunist era. Until 1947 the constitutionality was judged by Înalta Curte de Justi?ie ?i Casa?ie (The High Court of Justice and Casation).
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Main article: Geography of Romania
A large part of Romania's borders with Bulgaria is formed by the Danube. The Danube is joined by the Prut River, which forms the border with Moldova. The Danube flows into the Black Sea forming the Danube Delta which is a reservation of the Biosphere.
Because many of Romania's borders are defined by natural, sometimes shifting rivers, and because the Danube Delta is constantly expanding towards the sea, about 2-5 linear metres yearly, Romania's surface area has changed over the past few decades, generally increasing. The number has increased from about 237,500 km˛ in 1969 to 238,391 km˛ in 2005.
 Map of Romania with cities
Map of Romania with cities
Romania's terrain is distributed roughly equally among between mountainous, hilly and lowland territories.
The Carpathian Mountains dominate the centre of Romania surrounding the Transylvanian Plateau, 14 peaks reaching above the altitude of 2,000 m, the highest being Moldoveanu Peak at 2,544 m. In the south, the Carpathians sweeten into hills, towards the B?r?gan Plains.
The three highest mountains in Romania are:
Name
Height
Range
1
Moldoveanu Peak
2,544 m
F?g?ra? Mountains
2
Negoiu
2,535 m
F?g?ra? Mountains
3
Vi?tea Mare
2,527 m
F?g?ra? Mountains
Major cities are the capital Cluj-Napoca, Constan?a, Craiova, Bra?ov, and Gala?i.
See also:
List of Romanian Cities
Rivers of Romania
Lakes of Romania
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Main article: Economy of Romania
 The World Trade Center in Bucharest
The World Trade Center in Bucharest
After Romania's Communist regime was overthrown in late 1989, the country experienced a decade of economic instability and decline, led in part by an obsolete industrial base as well as a lack of structural reform. Starting from 2000, however, the economy was transformed into one of relative macreconomic stability, high growth, low unemployment and increasing foreign investment, and is currently among the most developed in Southeastern Europe. Economic growth since 2000 has averaged 4-5%, rising to 8.3% in 2004. This has characterised Romania as a boom economy and one of the fastest growing in Europe. Romania was granted in October 2004 the much desired 'functional market economy' status by EU officials, and is expected to join the EU in January 2007. Romania's per-capita GDP, calculated by purchasing power parity is estimated to be $8,800 at end of 2005. The national budget is €28.9 billion euro, which represents 31.2% of GDP, estimated to be RON 322.5 billion (€90,8 billions) according to the Prime-Minister T?riceanu.
Strong aspects of Romania are the technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. Having its own natural resources, Romania has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Romania is largely self-sufficient in food production. High-technology, car-manufacturing, military equipment, software, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, and flowers) are leading exports. Romania possesses extensive facilities for oil refining and semiconductor fabrication.
Inflation in 2004 was registered at 9.2%, and is expected to fall to 7.5% in 2005 and 5.0% in 2006. Unemployment in Romania is at 5.5% (Germany.
Since the late 1990s, there have been several economic reforms, spurred on by the country's bid to join the EU, including the liquidation of large energy-intensive industries and major reforms in the agricultural and financial sectors. As of 2005, a significant amount of Romania's major companies have been privatised, including the majority of banks, the largest oil companies Austria is leading with more then 6,7 Billion € from 1990 until 2005.
Romania's economy grew 5.9% in the first quarter 2005 compared with the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office. The service sector was the country's main economic growth engine showing a 6.8% rise from the same period last year, while industry grew by 5% and agriculture by 1.8%. Currently GDP growth is forecast at 5.5% per annum. Romania's economy is characterized by a huge potential of tourism. Tourism of Romania has attracted 400 millions € investments in 2005.
Trade
The majority of Romania's trade is oriented towards the countries of the Poland which has only 2.7% from exports. In December 2005 was adopted the National Strategy for Export for 2005-2009. It was chosen first four branches for which it will be made branding programs: textile industry, furniture industry, wine industry and IT industry. For the total foreign trade it is estimated for 2006 over 70 Billion € compared with 50 Billion € in 2005.
Main indicators of the exports and imports of Romania's economy:
#
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
1.
Exports
20 Bn€
25 Bn€
28.75 Bn€ (est.)
29 Bn€ (est.)
33 Bn€(est.)
2.
Imports
28 Bn€
31 Bn€
38 Bn€ (est.)
39 Bn€ (est.)
44 Bn€(est.)
3.
Average gross wage (RON)/€
950RON/ 275 €
1000RON/285 €
1100RON/ 315€
1200RON/ 355€
1350 RON/ 385€ (est.)
Taxation
In January 2005, Romania's new T?riceanu government imposed major fiscal reforms, replacing Romania's progressive tax system with a 16% flat tax on both personal income and company profit. Romania now has one of the most liberal taxation systems in Europe, and it is expected that this, along with increased foreign investment, will boost economic growth in the coming years, as well as lower corruption and bring to light the grey economy. The tax cuts have led a 12 percent jump in household consumption, which was also boosted by a 13 percent rise in wages.
Debt
Romania's level of international debt is estimated at $24.59 billion in 2004, or 23.6% of GDP which is considered very low. However, as Romania is currently going through an economic boom and is undertaking several major infrastructure projects, especially in the context of its EU accession, debt is expected to rise in absolute terms.
During the latter part of the Ceau?escu period, Romania earned significant credits from several Arab countries, notably Iraq, for work related to the oil industry. In August 2005, Romania forgave US$2 billion of the US$2.5 billion debt owed it by an Iraq still largely occupied by the military forces of the U.S.-led "Coalition of the Willing", making Romania the first country outside of the Paris Club of wealthy creditor nations to forgive Iraqi debts. Romania has the largest international reserves in the region, estimated at € 19 billion, covering more than 7 months of imports. [2] [3] [4]
Wages
The average gross wage per month in Romania is 1121 new lei Comisia Nationala de Prognoza (CNP) calculates that the average gross wage per month will reach €339 (€762 PPP) in 2007 and €414 (931€ PPP) in 2009.
Currency
 The National Bank of Romania
The National Bank of Romania
Romania's legal tender is the leu (plural lei). On 1 July 2005, the leu was subjected to redenomination so that 10,000 old lei, in circulation on that date, was exchanged for 1 new leu. The existing banknotes and coins, i.e. the old lei, will be legal tender until the end of December 2006. The official exchange rate for 10 August 2005 for 1€=3.39 lei (National Bank of Romania). By 31 December 2006, the existing banknotes and coins, i.e. the old lei, are to be replaced gradually by the new banknotes and coins. The process will prepare Romania for the adoption of the euro, which is expected to take place several years after EU accession. The Romanian government has said that it expects the country will adopt the euro between 2011 and 2012.
Main indicators of the ROMANIA's economy:
Romania's GDP over 2005-2007 will go up by 10 billion euros per year, and will stand in 2007 at 96.138 billion euros.
#
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
1.
GDP
70 Bn€
77Bn€
86Bn€
90Bn€ (est.)
96.138 (est.)
110(est.)
2.
GDP ( %real change pa)
+5.3%
+8.3%
+5%
+6% (est.)
+6(est.)
+6(est.)
3.
GDP per capita (€)
2350 €
2600 €
3100€
4000€ (est.)
NA
NA
4.
GDP per capita (€ at PPP)
7700 €
8000 €
8500€
9000€ (est.)
NA
NA
5.
Inflation
14%
9.2%
8.5%
5% (est.)
3%
2.5%
6.
Minimum wage
285 RON=82€
310 RON=89€
330RON=95€
360RON=105€ (est.)
NA
NA
7.
Medium gross wage
765 RON=220€
870 RON=250€
995RON=285€
1145RON=335€ (est.)
1300RON
1800RON
8.
Unemployment
6.4%
6.3%
5.6%
5% (est.)
NA
NA
9.
FDI
3.9bn€
5.1bn€
6bn€
8bn€ (est.)
NA
NA
10.
Foreign-exchange reserves (bn€)
14bn€
16bn€
20bn€
30bn€ (est.)
NA
NA
11.
Mobile phone users
9,000,000
10,000,000
11,860,000
14,000,000 (est.)
NA
NA
12.
Cars production (units)
160,000
240,000
320,000
500,000(est.)
NA
NA
13.
Internet users
5,180,000
7,800,000
10,400,000
13,600,000(est.)
NA
NA
National Budget
National budget, about € 29 billions euro, represents about 31,2% of GDP of RON 322,5 billions (EURO 90,8 billions), declared the Prime-Minister Tariceanu. National budget is increasing rapidly about 6 billions EURO each year for the interval of time 2005-2009. About 2 billions EURO/year are spend for national defense.
National budget of Romania:
#
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
1.
National Budget
25 Bn€
30 Bn€
36 Bn€ (est.)
45 Bn€ (est.)
59 Bn€(est.)
2.
Percentage of GDP%
29%
31 %
32%(est.)
33%(est.)
34 %(est.)
Romania's development in period 2007-2013 will cost 58,7 billions euro of which 43% represents European Union financial contribution.
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Romania is successful in a number of sports at international level. See also List of Romanians (sport section).
The gymnast Moscow Olympics when she was awarded two gold medals and two silver medals.
Ilie N?stase, the tennis player, is another internationally known Romanian sports star. He won several Grand Slam titles, dozens of other tournaments and also was a successful doubles player. Romania has also reached the Davis Cup finals three times.
Soccer is popular in Romania with international footballers such as Barcelona (Spain) and Galatasaray (Turkey) among others. The Romanian soccer club Steaua Bucure?ti was the first Eastern European club to ever win the prestigious European Champions Cup title (1986).
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 Romanian old wooden church in Maramures
Romanian old wooden church in Maramures
Main article: Culture of Romania
The 12th Summit Meeting of the Francophonie
Romania will host, on November Bucharest.
See also:
Art of Romania
Christmas customs in Romania
List of Romanians
Literature of Romania
Music of Romania
Romanian-American
Romanian poets
Tourism in Romania
Media and Television
Main article: Romanian media
See also:
List of Romanian newspapers
List of Romanian language television channels
There are many TV stations in Romania like: TVR 1, PRO Cinema, Acasa , National TV, B1 TV, Telesport, TV Sport, Ocram TV (OTV).
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Romania will host, on November 2006, the international Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The Romanian broadcaster has been chosen by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for being the organizator of the 4th edition of the contest. For the first time, Romania will be the host of such an event and a show produced by TVR will be broadcasted live all over Europe, in the countries member of EBU.
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Palace of Culture, Ia?i
Bucharest
Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest
University of Bucharest
Orthodox Cathedral, Cluj-Napoca
Catholic Church, Cluj-Napoca
National Theatre, Cluj-Napoca
Bari?iu Street, Cluj-Napoca
Eroilor Ave, Cluj-Napoca
Casino, Constan?a
Borze?ti Church, Borze?ti
The Kiss Gate, Târgu Jiu
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