Romania

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. 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.

Capital

Bucharest

Government

semi-presidential republic

Population

18,148,155

Area

238,391 sq km

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine

Climate

temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Natural resources

petroleum (reserves declining); timber; natural gas; coal; iron ore; salt…

Languages

Romanian (official) 91.6%; Hungarian 6.3%; Romani 1.2%; other 0.7%

Religions

Romanian Orthodox 85.3%; Roman Catholic 4.5%; Reformed 3%; Pentecostal 2.5%…

Independence

9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire;

Administrative divisions

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu);

Currency

lei (RON)

Export partners

Germany 19%; Italy 10%; France 6%; UK 5%…

Import partners

Germany 19%; Italy 8%; Hungary 6%; Poland 6%…

Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain

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