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{{FixHTML|beg}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''România''
|conventional_long_name = Romania
|common_name = Romania
|image_flag = Flag of Romania.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Romania.svg
|image_map = EU location ROM.png
|map_caption = {{map_caption|country=]|region=]|subregion=the ]|legend=European location legend en.png}}
|national_anthem = <span style="line-height:1.25em;">'']''<small><br/>''Awaken, Romanian!''</small></span>
|official_languages = ]<sup>1</sup>
|demonym = ]
|government_type = ] ] ]
|capital = ]&nbsp;(''Bucureşti'')
|latd=44|latm=25|latNS=N|longd=26|longm=06|longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]
|area_rank = 82nd
|area_magnitude = 1_E+11
|area_km2 = 238,392
|area_sq_mi = 92,043 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|percent_water = 3
|population_estimate_year = July 2007
|population_estimate = 22,276,056 <!--2006 CIA estimates: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ro.html-->
|population_estimate_rank = 50th <!--UN ranking-->
|population_census_year = 2002
|population_census = 21,680,974
|population_density_km2 = 93
|population_density_sq_mi = 236 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 104th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP = $256.9 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 43rd
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $11,989<ref>{{citeweb|title=GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity|publisher=] World Economic Outlook Database|date=October 2007|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=914%2C963%2C962%2C918%2C960%2C964%2C968%2C942%2C944%2C936%2C186&s=PPPPC%2CPCPIPCH%2CLP%2CBCA_NGDPD&grp=0&a=&pr1.x=44&pr1.y=9}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 64th
|GDP_nominal = $184.5 billions
|GDP_nominal_rank = 38th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $8,696
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 65th
|HDI_year = 2005
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.813
|HDI_rank = 60th
|HDI_category = <font color="green">high</font>
|Gini = 31
|Gini_year = 2003
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = Declared
|established_event2 = Recognized
|established_date1 = ] ] (])<sup>2</sup>
|established_date2 = ] ]<sup>3</sup>
|accessionEUdate = ] ]
|currency = ]
|currency_code = RON
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +2
|time_zone_DST = ]
|utc_offset_DST = +3
|cctld = ], ]<sup>4</sup>
|calling_code = 40
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup> Other languages, such as ], ], ], ], ] and ], are official at various local levels.<br/><sup>2</sup> ].<br/><sup>3</sup> ].<br/><sup>4</sup> The ] domain is also used, as it is shared with other ] member states.
}}
{{FixHTML|end}}
{{otheruses}}
'''Romania''' (]: '''Rumania''', '''Roumania'''<!-- Do not remove, as this was added through consensus, discussion, and a poll done from January 10, 2008 to January 17, 2008. Please see talk page archives for details -->; {{lang-ro|România}}, {{IPA2|ro.mɨˈni.a}}) is a country at the crossroads of ] (], ], ], ] and ]), ] (] and the ] ]) and ] (]). It shares a border with ] and ] to the west, ] and the ] to the northeast, and ] to the south. Romania has a stretch of sea coast along the ]. It is located roughly in the lower basin of the ] and almost all of the ] is located within its territory.

Romania is a ] ]. As a nation-state, the country was formed by the merging of ] and ] in 1859 and it gained recognition of its ] in ]. Later, in 1918, they were joined by ], ] and ]. At the end of ], parts of its territories (roughly the present day ]) were occupied by ] and Romania became a member of ]. With the fall of the ] in ], Romania started a series of political and economic reforms that allowed for Romania to ] on ] ].

Romania has the ] and the ] (with 22 million people<ref>{{Citation|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|title=Romanian Statistical Yearbook|year=2007|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/en/cp2.pdf|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref>) among the ]s. Its capital and largest city is ] ({{lang-ro|Bucureşti}} {{Audio-IPA|Ro-Bucureşti.ogg|/bu.kuˈreʃtʲ/}}), the ] with almost 2.2 million people. In 2007, ], a large city in Transylvania, was chosen as ].<ref>{{citeweb|publisher=The Selection Panel for the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) 2007|title=Report on the the Nominations from Luxembourg and Romania for the European Capital of Culture 2007|date=2004-04-05|url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/ecocs/pdf_word/report_select_panel2007.pdf|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> Romania also joined ] on ], ], and is also a member of the ], of the ] and of ].

==Etymology==
{{main|Etymology of Romania}}
The name of ''Romania'' ('']'') comes from ''Român'' (Romanian) which is a derivative of the word ''Romanus'' ("]") from ].<ref>{{citejournal|title=Decadence, Rome and Romania, the Emperors Who Weren't, and Other Reflections on Roman History|journal=The Proceedings of the |author= Kelley L. Ross|year=2003|quote=Note: The Vlach Connection|url=http://www.friesian.com/decdenc2.htm|accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref><ref>{{citejournal|journal=Speculum (A Journal of Mediaeval Studies)|title=Romania: The Latin Empire of Constantinople|first=Robert Lee|last=Wolff|volume=23|issue=1|year=1948|month=January|pages=1-34|url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0038-7134%28194801%2923%3A1%3C1%3ARTLEOC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U|accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> The fact that Romanians have said the name is a derivative of ''Romanus'' ({{lang-ro|Român/Rumân}}) is mentioned as early as the 16th century by many authors, including ] Humanists travelling in ], ] and ].<ref> ''"nunc se Romanos vocant"'' A. Verres, Acta et Epistolae, I, p. 243 </ref><ref> ''"...si dimandano in lingua loro Romei...se alcuno dimanda se sano parlare in la lingua valacca, dicono a questo in questo modo: Sti Rominest ? Che vol dire: Sai tu Romano,..."'' Cl. Isopescu, Notizie intorno ai romeni nella letteratura geografica italiana del Cinquecento, in Bulletin de la Section Historique, XVI, 1929, p. 1- 90 </ref><ref> ''“Anzi essi si chiamano romanesci, e vogliono molti che erano mandati quì quei che erano dannati a cavar metalli...”'' in Maria Holban, Călători străini despre Ţările Române, vol. II, p. 158&ndash;161</ref><ref> ''"Tout ce pays la Wallachie et Moldavie et la plus part de la Transivanie a esté peuplé des colonie romaines du temps de Traian l’empereur…Ceux du pays se disent vrais successeurs des Romains et nomment leur parler romanechte, c'est-à-dire romain … "'' Voyage fait par moy, Pierre Lescalopier l’an 1574 de Venise a Constantinople, fol 48 in Paul Cernovodeanu, Studii si materiale de istorie medievala, IV, 1960, p. 444 </ref> The oldest surviving document written in the ] is a 1521 letter (known as "] from ]"<ref> {{Citation|last =Iorga|first =N.|title =Neacsu's Letter from Campulung|editor-last =Hurmuzachi|editor-first =Apud|volume = Documente, XI|url = http://cimec.ro/Istorie/neacsu/rom/scrisoare.htm|page = 843}}</ref>) which notifies the mayor of ] about the imminent attack of the ]. This document is also notable for having the first occurrence of "Rumanian" in a Romanian written text, ] being here named The Rumanian Land - ''Ţeara Rumânească'' (''Ţeara'' from the {{lang-la|Terra}} land). In the following centuries, Romanian documents use interchangeably two spelling forms: ''Român'' and ''Rumân''.<ref>
''"am scris aceste sfente cǎrţi de învăţături, sǎ fie popilor '''rumânesti'''... sǎ înţeleagǎ toţi oamenii cine-s '''rumâni''' creştini"'' "Întrebare creştineascǎ" (1559), Bibliografia româneascǎ veche, IV, 1944, p. 6. <br>''"...că văzum cum toate limbile au şi înfluresc întru cuvintele slǎvite a lui Dumnezeu numai noi '''românii''' pre limbă nu avem. Pentru aceia cu mare muncǎ scoasem de limba jidoveascǎ si greceascǎ si srâbeascǎ pre limba '''româneascǎ''' 5 cărţi ale lui Moisi prorocul si patru cărţi şi le dăruim voo fraţi '''rumâni''' şi le-au scris în cheltuială multǎ... şi le-au dăruit voo fraţilor '''români''',... şi le-au scris voo fraţilor '''români'''"'' Palia de la Orǎştie (1581&ndash;1582), Bucureşti, 1968. <br>''" În Ţara Ardealului nu lăcuiesc numai unguri, ce şi saşi peste seamă de mulţi şi '''români''' peste tot locul..."'', Grigore Ureche, Letopiseţul Ţării Moldovei, p. 133-134.</ref> Socio-linguistic evolutions in the late 17th century led to a process of semantic differentiation: the form ''"rumân"'', presumably usual among lower classes, got the meaning of "bondsman", while the form ''"]"'' kept an ethno-linguistic meaning.<ref> {{cite book|last = Brezeanu|first = Stelian|title =Romanitatea Orientalǎ în Evul Mediu|publisher =Editura All Educational|date=1999|location =Bucharest|pages =229-246 }}</ref> After the abolition of serfdom in 1746, the form "rumân" gradually disappears and the spelling definitively stabilises to the form ''"român", "românesc"''.<ref> In his well known literary testament ] writes: "Urmaşilor mei Văcăreşti!/Las vouă moştenire:/Creşterea limbei '''româneşti'''/Ş-a patriei cinstire." <br>In the ''"Istoria faptelor lui Mavroghene-Vodă şi a răzmeriţei din timpul lui pe la 1790"'' a Pitar Hristache writes: "Încep după-a mea ideie/Cu vreo câteva condeie/Povestea mavroghenească/Dela Ţara '''Românească'''.
</ref> The name "]" as common homeland of all Romanians is documented in the early 19th century.<ref> The first known mention of the term "Romania" in its modern denotation dates from 1816, as the Greek scholar ] published in ] his work "The History of Romania", followed by "The Geography of Romania". <br>On the ] of ] in ] (built in 1823) there is the inscription: "Precum Hristos pe Lazăr din morţi a înviat/Aşa tu '''România''' din somn ai deşteptat."</ref> This name has been officially in use since December 11, 1861.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.fotw.net/flags/ro-wm.html|title=Wallachia and Moldavia, 1859-61|accessdate=2008-01-05}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of Romania}}
]n Kingdom at its greatest extent]]
===Prehistory and Antiquity===
{{main|Prehistoric Romania|Dacia|Roman Dacia}}
The oldest modern human remains in Europe were discovered in the "]" in present day Romania.<ref>{{Citation|last=Trinkaus|first =E.|title=Early Modern Human Cranial remains from the Peştera cu Oase|journal =Journal of Human Evolution|volume=45|pages=245–253|year=2003|url =http://www.geo.edu.ro/sgr/mod/downloads/PDF/Trinkaus-JHE-2003-45-245.pdf|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> The remains are approximately 42,000 years old and as Europe’s oldest remains of '']'', they may represent the first such people to have entered the continent.<ref>{{Citation|last=Zilhão|first=João|title=Neanderthals and Moderns Mixed and It Matters|journal=Evolutionary Anthropology|volume =15|pages=183–195|date=|year=2006|url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/113440973/PDFSTART|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> The remains are especially interesting because they present a mixture of archaic, early modern human and Neanderthal morphological features.<ref>{{citeweb|publisher=University of Bristol Press Releases|title=A 40,000-year-old skull shows both modern human and Neanderthal traits|year=2007|url=http://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2007/5245.html|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref><ref>{{citejournal|last=Rougier|first=Hélène|title =Pestera cu Oase 2 and the cranial morphology of early modern Europeans|journal =Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA|volume =104|issue=4|pages=1165–1170|year=2007|url=http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0610538104v1|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>

The earliest written evidence of people living in the territory of the present-day Romania comes from ] in 513 BC.<ref>{{Citation|title =History of costume elements|publisher=Eliznik.co.uk|url =http://www.eliznik.org.uk/RomaniaPortul/history_costume.htm|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> In one of his books, he writes that the tribal confederation of the ] were defeated by the ] Emperor ] during his campaign against the ].<ref>{{Citation|last =Herodotus|author-link =Herodotus|translation = William Beloe|title =The Ancient History of Herodotus By Herodotus|digitized =Google Book Search|pages =213-217|Publisher = Derby & Jackson|year =1859|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=sfHsgNIZum0C&pg=PA215&lpg=PA215&dq=herodotus+dacians+darius&source=web&ots=G4uX7Mnsqb&sig=kYPtXH157JEzuk7V618EreDadqY&hl=en|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> ] were a branch of ] that inhabitanted ] (corresponding to modern Romania, ] and northern ]). The ] reached its maximum expansion during King ], around 82 BC. Later, The region came under the scrutiny of ] when the ], bordering along the Danube, ], was attacked by the Dacians in 87 AD during Emperor ]'s reign.
The Dacians were eventually defeated by the ] under Emperor ] in ] stretching from 101&nbsp;AD to 106&nbsp;AD,<ref>{{Citation|title =Assorted Imperial Battle Descriptions|publisher =De Imperatoribus Romanis, An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors|url =http://www.roman-emperors.org/assobd.htm#s-inx|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> and the core of their kingdom was turned into the province of ].
]

Because the province was rich in ores, and especially silver and gold,<ref>{{citeweb|title=Dacia-Province of the Roman Empire|publisher =United Nations of Roma Victor|url =http://www.unrv.com/provinces/dacia.php|text="gold and silver were found in great quantities in the Western Carpathians. After Trajan's conquest, he brought back to Rome over 165 tons of gold and 330 tons of silver"|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> the Romans heavily colonized the province,<ref>{{citebook|last=Deletant|first=Dennis|title=Colloquial Romanian|publisher=Routledge|date=1995|location=New York|pages =1}}</ref> brought with them ] and started a period of intense ] (giving birth to proto-]).<ref>{{citebook|last=Matley|first=Ian|title=Romania; a Profile|publisher=Praeger|date=1970|pages=85}}</ref><ref>{{citebook|last=Giurescu|first=Constantin C.|title=The Making of the Romanian People and Language|publisher=Meridiane Publishing House|date=1972|location=Bucharest|pages=43, 98-101,141}}</ref> But in the 3rd century AD, with the invasions of migratory populations such as ], the ] was forced to pull out of ] around 271 AD, thus making it the first province to be abandoned.<ref>{{citebook|last =Eutropius|authorlink=Eutropius|coauthors=Justin, Cornelius Nepos|title=Eutropius, Abridgment of Roman History|publisher=George Bell and Sons|date=1886|location=London|url=http://www.ccel.org/p/pearse/morefathers/eutropius_breviarium_2_text.htm}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|last=Watkins|first=Thayer|title=The Economic History of the Western Roman Empire|url=http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/barbarians.htm|quote="The Emperor Aurelian recognized the realities of the military situation in Dacia and around 271 A.D. withdrew Roman troops from Dacia leaving it to the Goths. The Danube once again became the northern frontier of the Roman Empire in eastern Europe"}}</ref>

Several competing theories have been generated to explain the ]. Linguistic and geo-historical analyses tend to indicate that ] have coalesced as a major ethnic group both South and North of the ].<ref
>{{citeweb|last=Ghyka|first=Matila|title=A Documented Chronology of Roumanian History|place=Oxford|publisher =B. H. Blackwell Ltd.|year=1841| url=http://www.vlachophiles.net/ghika.htm| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070125091613/http://www.vlachophiles.net/ghika.htm|accessdate=2007-12-23|archivedate=2007-01-25}}</ref> ''For further discussion, see ].''

===Middle Ages ===
{{Main|Romania in the Early Middle Ages|Romania in the Middle Ages}}
In either 271 or 275, the Roman army and administration left Dacia, which was invaded by the ].<ref>{{citebook|last=Jordanes|authorlink=Jordanes|title = Getica, sive, De Origine Actibusque Gothorum|year =551 A.D.|location =Constantinople|url=http://www.harbornet.com/folks/theedrich/Goths/Goths1.htm}}</ref> The Goths lived with the local people until the 4th century, when a nomadic people, the ], arrived.<ref>{{Citation|last=Iliescu|first=Vl.|last2=Paschale|first2=Chronicon|title=Fontes Historiae Daco-Romanae|volume=II|pages=363, 587|place=Bucureşti|year=1970}}</ref> The ]<ref name=gepids/><ref>{{Citation|first=István|last=Bóna|editor-last=Köpeczi|editor-first = Béla|title=History of Transylvania: II.3. The Kingdom of the Gepids|volume=1|publisher=Institute of History of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences| distributor=]|place=New York|year=2001|url=http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/33.html}}</ref> and the ] and their Slavic subjects<ref>{{Citation| first=István | last=Bóna| editor-last = Köpeczi| editor-first = Béla | title = History of Transylvania: II.4. The Period of the Avar Rule| volume = 1| publisher = Institute of History of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences| distributor = Columbia University Press| place = New York| year = 2001| url = http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/41.html}}</ref> ruled ] until the 8th century. It was then invaded by ],<ref name=gepids>{{citebook|last=Teodor|first=Dan Gh.|title=Istoria României de la începuturi până în secolul al VIII-lea|year =1995|location =Bucureşti|pages=294-325 |volume=2}}</ref> thereafter being incorporated into the ] (marking the end of Romania's Dark Age), where it remained part of until the ]. The ],<ref>{{cite book| last =Constantine VII| first =Porphyrogenitus| authorlink =Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus| title =Constantine Porphyrogenitus De Administrando Imperio|date=950| location =Constantinople| url =http://faculty.washington.edu/dwaugh/rus/texts/constp.html}}</ref> the ]<ref>{{Citation|last =Xenopol|first =Alexandru D.|title =Histoire des Roumains|place=Paris|year =1896|volume =i|page=168}}</ref> and ] were also mentioned by historic chronicles on the territory of Romania, until the founding of the Romanian principalities of ] by ] around 1310 in the ],<ref>{{Citation|last =Ştefănescu|first =Ştefan |title =Istoria medie a României|page=114
|year =1991|location =Bucharest|volume =I}}</ref> and ] by ] around 1352.<ref> {{Citation|last =Predescu|first =Lucian |title =Enciclopedia Cugetarea|year =1940}}</ref>

] built in 1212, is commonly known as '''Dracula's Castle''' and is situated in the centre of present-day Romania. In addition to its unique ], the ] is famous because of persistent myths that it was once the home of ].]]

In the ], Romanians lived in three distinct principalities: ] (]: ''Ţara Românească''—"Romanian Land"), ] (]: ''Moldova'') and ]. Transylvania was part of the ] from the 10-11th century until the 16th century,<ref>{{Citation|first=László|last=Makkai|editor-last = Köpeczi|editor-first = Béla
|title = History of Transylvania: III. Transylvania in the Medieval Hungarian Kingdom (896–1526)|volume = 1|publisher = Institute of History of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences|distributor = Columbia University Press|place = New York|year = 2001|url = http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/57.html }}</ref> when it became the independent ]<ref>{{Citation
|editor-last = Köpeczi|editor-first = Béla|title = History of Transylvania: IV. The First Period of the Principality of Transylvania (1526–1606)
|volume = 1|publisher = Institute of History of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences|distributor = Columbia University Press|place = New York|year = 2001|url=http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/97.html}}</ref> until 1711.<ref>{{Citation|first=Ágnes R.|last=Várkonyi|editor-last = Köpeczi
|editor-first = Béla |title = History of Transylvania: VI. The Last Decades of the Independent Principality (1660–1711)|volume = 2
|publisher = Institute of History of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences|distributor = Columbia University Press|place = New York|year = 2001
|url=http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/221.html}}</ref>

Independent ] has been on the border of the ] since the 14th century and slowly fell under the ] of the ] during the ]. One famous ruler in this period was ] (also known as ] or ''{{unicode|Vlad Ţepeş}}'', {{IPA2|'tsepeʃ}}), ] of ] in 1448, 1456–62, and 1476.<ref>{{citebook|last =Schoolfield|first =George C.|title =A Baedeker of Decadence: Charting a Literary Fashion, 1884-1927
|publisher =Yale University Press|date=2004|isbn = 0300047142|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=LzBSu7HZLhcC&pg=PA219&dq=isbn:0300047142+vlad&as_brr=0&sig=b8Gx-Er8uF6EzOVjJRSXTKspVeQ#PPA219,M1}}</ref><ref></ref> In the ]-speaking world, Vlad is best known for the legends of the exceedingly cruel punishments he imposed during his reign and for serving as the primary inspiration for the ] ] in ]'s popular '']'' novel. As king, he maintained an independent policy in relation to the ], and in Romania he is viewed by many as a prince with a deep sense of justice,<ref>{{Citation| title =Count Dracula's Legend| year =2006| url =http://www.romaniatourism.com/dracula.html| accessdate = }}</ref> and a defender of both Wallachia and European ] against ] ].

] built in 1488 by ] (]) after his victory at the ].]]
The principality of ] reached its most glorious period under the rule of ] between 1457 and 1504.<ref> {{Citation|last =Marek|first =Miroslav|title =Rulers of Moldavia: Mushati family|url =http://genealogy.euweb.cz/balkan/balkan18.html}}</ref> His rule of 47 years was unusually long, especially at that time - only ] were recorded to have ruled for at least 50 years until the end of 15th century. He was a very successful military leader (winning 47 battles and losing only 2),<ref>{{Citation|title =St. Stephen the Great Charitable Trust|url =http://www.ststephentrust.org.uk/html/ststephen.html}}</ref>) and after each victory, he raised a church, managing to build 48 churches or monasteries,<ref>{{Citation|last = Orthodox Church in America|title = St. Stephen the Great - Commemorated on July 2|url =http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=149011}}</ref> some of them with unique and very interesting painting styles. ''For more information see ] listed in ]'s list of ]''. Stephen's most prestigious victory was over the ] in 1475 at the ] for which he raised the ]. For this victory, ] ] deemed him ''verus christianae fidei athleta'' (''true Champion of Christian Faith''). However, after his death, ] would also come under the ] of the ] in the ].

] (Romanian: Mihai Viteazul) was the ] (1593-1601), of ] (1599-1600), and of ] (1600). Briefly, during his reign the three principalities largely inhabited by Romanians were for the first time united under a single rule.<ref>{{ro icon}}{{Citation|last =Rezachevici|first =Constantin|title =Mihai Viteazul: itinerariul moldovean|year =2000|journal=Magazin istoric|issue =5 |url =http://www.itcnet.ro/history/archive/mi2000/current5/mi5.htm}}</ref> After his death, as vassal tributary states, ] and ] had complete internal autonomy and an external independence, which was finally lost in the ].

]

===Independence and monarchy===
{{main|Early Modern Romania|National awakening of Romania|Romanian War of Independence|Kingdom of Romania}}

During the period of ] rule in ], and ] suzerainty over ] and ], most ] were in the situation of being ] (or even non-citizens)<ref>{{Citation|publisher =GenealogyRO Group|title =The Magyarization Process|url =http://www.genealogy.ro/cont/13.htm
|accessdate = }}</ref> in a territory where they were forming the majority of the population.<ref>{{Citation|last =Kocsis |first =Karoly |last2 =Kocsis-Hodosi |first2 =Eszter |year =1999|title =Ethnic structure of the population on the present territory of Transylvania (1880-1992)
|url =http://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/hmcb/Tab14.htm|accessdate = }}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last =Kocsis |first =Karoly|last2 =Kocsis-Hodosi |first2 =Eszter|title =Ethnic Geography of the Hungarian Minorities in the Carpathian Basin|year =2001|pages =102|publisher =Simon Publications|isbn =193131375X|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=-zZ_NVM9mNEC&pg=PA116&lpg=PA116&dq=hungarian+census+transylvania+1910&source=web&ots=pcesU0UOYB&sig=0h53xLxEHT3rtVue_FWlkollBns#PPA102,M1}}</ref> In some Transylvanian cities, such as ] (at that time the ] citadel of Kronstadt), Romanians were ] to reside within the city walls.<ref>{{Citation|last =Prodan|first =David |title =Supplex Libellus Valachorum|year =1948|location =Bucharest}}</ref>

After the failed ], the ] did not support the Romanians' expressed desire to officially unite in a single state, forcing Romania to proceed alone against the Turks. The electors in both ] and ] chose in 1859 the same person &ndash; ] &ndash; as ] ('']'' in ]).<ref>{{Citation|last =Bobango|first =Gerald J|title =The emergence of the Romanian national State
|publisher =Boulder|year =1979|location =New York|isbn = 9780914710516}}</ref> Thus, Romania was created as a personal union, albeit a Romania that did not include Transylvania, where although Romanian nationalism inevitably ran up against Hungarian nationalism at the end of the 19th century, the upper class and the aristocracy remained mainly Hungarian. As in the previous 900 years, Austria-Hungary, especially under the ] of 1867, kept the Hungarians firmly in control, even in parts of Transylvania where Romanians constituted a local majority.

], retreat of Romanian monarchs]]

In a ] ''coup d'etat'', ] was exiled and replaced by Prince Karl of ], who became known as ]. During the ], Romania fought on the Russian side;<ref>{{ru icon}} {{Citation|title =San Stefano Preliminary Treaty|year =1878|url =http://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/FOREIGN/stefano.htm}}</ref> in the 1878 ],<ref>{{Citation|title =Modern History Sourcebook: The Treaty of Berlin, 1878 - Excerpts on the Balkans|date=July 13, 1878|place=Berlin|url =http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1878berlin.html}}</ref> Romania was recognized as an ] state by the ].<ref> {{Citation|last =Patterson|first =Michelle|title =The Road to Romanian Independence|journal =Canadian Journal of History|date=August 1996|url =http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3686/is_199608/ai_n8755098}}</ref> In return, Romania ceded three southern districts of ] to ] and acquired ]. In 1881, the ] was raised to a ] and Prince Carol became ] ].

The 1878-1914 period was one of ] for Romania. During the ], Romania joined ], ], ] and ] against ]. In the peace ] Romania gained ] - the Quadrilateral (the Durostor and Caliacra counties).<ref>{{Citation|last =Anderson|first =Frank Maloy
|last2 =Hershey|first2 =Amos Shartle|title =Handbook for the Diplomatic History of Europe, Asia, and Africa 1870-1914|publisher =Government Printing Office|year =1918|location =Washington D.C.}}</ref>
]

===World Wars and Greater Romania===
;(1916-1947)
{{main article|Romanian Campaign (World War I)|Greater Romania|Romania during World War II}}

In August 1914, when ] broke out, Romania declared ]. Two years later, under the pressure of Allies (especially ] desperate to open a new front), on August 14/27 1916 it joined the Allies, for which they were promised support for the accomplishment of national unity, Romania declared war on ].<ref>{{Citation|last =Horne|first =Charles F.|year =Horne|title =Ion Bratianu's Declaration of War Delivered to the Austrian Minister in Romania on 28 August 1916|volume =V|publisher =Source Records of the Great War|url=http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/romaniawardeclaration.htm}}</ref>

The ] ended in disaster for Romania as the ] conquered two-thirds of the country and captured or killed the majority of its ] within four months. Nevertheless, ] remained in Romanian hands after the invading forces were stopped in 1917 and since by the war's end, Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire had collapsed, ], ] and ] were allowed to unite with the ] in 1918. By the 1920 ], ] renounced in favour of Romania all the claims of the ] over ].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Treaty_of_Trianon|title=Text of the Treaty of Trianon|publisher=World War I Document Archive|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> The union of Romania with ] was ratified in 1919 in the ],<ref>{{citebook|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ox_gXq2jpdYC&pg=PA162&lpg=PA162&dq=treaty+of+st+germain+text+bukovina&source=web&ots=naxO-x01Oy&sig=JK8wTD6USXqEM_L_1yqw7C_f6wM#PPA162,M1|title=Europe Since 1945: An Encyclopedia|author=Bernard Anthony Cook|page=162|isbn=0815340575|year=2001|publisher=Taylor&Francis|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> and with ] in 1920 by the ].<ref>{{citejournal|title=The Legal Status of the Bukovina and Bessarabia|author=Malbone W. Graham|journal=The American Journal of International Law|date=October 1944|volume=38|issue=4|pubisher=American Society of International Law|url=http://www.jstor.org/view/00029300/di981654/98p0431z/2?frame=noframe&userID=83d7a986@caltech.edu/01c0a80a6a00501cd629c&dpi=3&config=jstor|accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref>

The Romanian expression ] (literal translation "Great Romania", but more commonly rendered "Greater Romania") generally refers to the Romanian state in the ], and by extension, to the territory Romania covered at the time (see map). Romania achieved at that time its greatest territorial extent (almost 300,000 km²<ref>{{ro icon}}</ref>), managing to unite all the historic Romanian lands.

] and ] but were lost after ], and rose indicates areas that joined Romania after WWI and remained so after WWII.]]

During the Second World War, Romania tried again to remain neutral, but on ] ], it received a ] with an implied threat of ] in the event of non-compliance.<ref name="ultimatum">{{ro icon}} in Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, ''Istoria Românilor între anii 1918-1940'' (in Romanian), ], 2002</ref> Under pressure from ] and ], the Romanian administration and the army were forced to retreat from ] as well from ] to avoid war.<ref>{{cite book|last=Goma|first=Paul|title=Săptămâna Roşie|date=2006|page=23|url=http://paulgoma.free.fr/dl_links/publicistica/saptamana_rosie.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Nagy-Talavera|first=Nicolas M.|title=Green Shirts and Others: a History of Fascism in Hungary and Romania|date=1970|page=305}}</ref> This, in combination with other factors, prompted the government to join the ]. Thereafter, southern ] was awarded to Bulgaria, while Hungary received ] as result of an ] arbitration.<ref>{{citejournal|author=M. Broszat|title=Deutschland — Ungarn — Rumänien. Entwicklung und Grundfaktoren nationalsozialistischer Hegemonial- und Bündnispolitik 1938-1941|journal=]|issue=206|year=1968|language=German|pages=552-553}}</ref> The authoritarian ] ] in 1940, succeeded by the ], in which power was shared by ] and the ]. Within months, Antonescu had crushed the ], and the subsequent year Romania entered the war on the side of the ]. During the war, Romania was the most important source of oil for ],<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.2worldwar2.com/mistakes.htm#ploesti|title=The Biggest Mistakes In World War 2:Ploesti - the most important target|accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> which attracted ] by the ]. By means of the ], Romania recovered Bessarabia and northern Bukovina from the Soviet Russia, under the leadership of general ]. The Antonescu regime played a major role in the ],<ref>''Note: follow the World War II link'':
{{citebook||editor=Ronald D. Bachman||title=Romania:World War II|accessdate=2007-12-08|edition=2|publisher=Library of Congress.Federal Research Division|location=Washington D.C.|oclc=DR205.R613 1990|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/rotoc.html|date=2005-11-09}}</ref> following to a lesser extent the ] policy of oppression and massacre of the ]s, and ]s, primarily in the Eastern territories Romania recovered or occupied from the Soviet Union (]) and in ].<ref>{{citeweb|quote=“no country, besides Germany, was involved in massacres of Jews on such a scale.”|author=]|publisher=International Commission on the Holocaust in Romania|title=Executive Summary: Historical Findings and Recommendations|coauthors=Yad Vashem|year=2004|url=http://yad-vashem.org.il/about_yad/what_new/data_whats_new/pdf/english/EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf|accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref>

In August 1944, Antonescu was toppled and arrested by King ]. Romania changed sides and joined the ], but its role in the defeat of ] was not recognized by the ] of 1947.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/5/38D4D252-BE7E-4943-A6A9-4E3C1B32A05F.html|title=World War II -- 60 Years After: Former Romanian Monarch Remembers Decision To Switch Sides|author=Eugen Tomiuc|date=May 6,2005|accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> With the ] forces still stationed in the country and exerting ''de facto'' control, ] and their allied parties claimed 80% of the vote, through a combination of vote manipulation,<ref></ref> elimination, and forced mergers of competing parties, thus establishing themselves as the dominant force. By the end of the war, the Romanian army had suffered about 300,000 casualties.<ref> Michael Clodfelter. ''Warfare and Armed Conflicts- A Statistical Reference to Casualty and Other Figures, 1500-2000. 2nd Ed. 2002, p. 582 '' ISBN 0-7864-1204-6.</ref>

===Communism===
; (1947&ndash;1989)
{{main|Communist Romania}}
In 1947, ] was forced by the Communists to abdicate and leave the country, Romania was proclaimed a ]<ref></ref><ref></ref>
, and remained under direct military and economic control of the ] until the late 1950s. During this period, Romania's resources were drained by the "]" agreements: mixed Soviet-Romanian companies established to mask the looting of Romania by the Soviet Union.<ref>{{Citation|first=Carmen|last=Rîjnoveanu|title=Romania's Policy of Autonomy in the Context of the Sino-Soviet Conflict|year=2003|pages=1|publisher=Czech Republic Military History Institute, Militärgeschichtliches Forscheungamt|url=http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/07autredossiers/groupetravailhistoiremilitaire/pdfs/2003-gthm.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Roper|first=Stephen D.|title=Romania: The Unfinished Revolution|place=London|publisher=Routledge|year=2000|page=18|isbn=9058230279}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Cioroianu|first=Adrian|author-link=Adrian Cioroianu|title="On the Shoulders of Marx. An Incursion into the History of Romanian Communism"|language=Romanian|publisher=Editura Curtea Veche|year =2005|location=Bucharest|pages=68-73|isbn=9736691756}}</ref>

After the negotiated retreat of Soviet troops in 1958, Romania, under the new leadership of ], started to pursue independent policies. Such examples are the condemnation of the Soviet-led 1968 invasion of ] (being the only ] country not to take part in the invasion), the continuation of diplomatic relations with ] after the ] of 1967 (again, the only ] country to do so), the establishment of economic (1963) and diplomatic (1967) relations with the ], and so forth.<ref></ref> Also, close ties with the ] countries (and the ]) allowed Romania to play a key role in the ]-] and Israel-] peace processes by intermediating the visit of ] in Israel.<ref></ref> A short-lived period of relative economic well-being and openness followed in the late 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} As Romania's foreign debt sharply increased between 1977 and 1981 (from 3 to 10 billion US dollars),<ref>{{Citation|last=Deletant|first =Dennis|title=New Evidence on Romania and the Warsaw Pact, 1955-1989|publisher=Cold War International History Project e-Dossier Series|url =http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1409&fuseaction=topics.publications&doc_id=16367&group_id=13349}}</ref> the influence of international financial organisations such as the ] or the ] grew, conflicting with ]'s ] policies.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Ceauşescu eventually initiated a project of total reimbursement of the foreign debt (completed in 1989, shortly before his overthrow).{{Fact|date=November 2007}} To achieve this goal, he imposed policies that impoverished Romanians and exhausted the Romanian economy.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} He greatly extended the authority ]{{Fact|date=November 2007}} and imposed a ]{{Fact|date=November 2007}}. These led to a dramatic decrease in Ceauşescu-popularity{{Fact|date=November 2007}} and culminated in his overthrow and execution in the bloody ].

During the 1947&ndash;1962 period, many people were arbitrarily killed or imprisoned for political, economic or unknown reasons:<ref>{{ro icon}}{{Citation|last =Caraza|first =Grigore|title =Aiud însângerat|publisher =Editura Vremea XXI|year=2004|volume=Chapter IV|isbn=9736450503|url=http://www.procesulcomunismului.com/marturii/fonduri/gcaraza/aiud/docs/cap4.htm}}</ref> detainees in prisons or camps, deported, persons under house arrest, and administrative detainees. There were hundreds of thousands of abuses, deaths and incidents of torture against a large range of people, from political opponents to ordinary citizens.<ref> Cicerone Ioniţoiu, Victimele terorii comuniste. Arestaţi, torturaţi, întemniţaţi, ucişi. Dicţionar. Editura Maşina de scris, Bucureşti, 2000. ISBN 973-99994-2-5.</ref> Between 60,000<ref>{{citebook|publisher=]|title="Cartea albă a Securităţii"|volume=2|year=1997}}</ref> and 80,000 political prisoners were detained as psychiatric patients and treated in some of the most sadistic ways by doctors.<ref>Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, ''Speech at the Plenary session of the Central Committee of the Romanian Workers' Party'', 30 November 1961</ref> Even though between 1962 and 1964 some political prisoners were freed in a series of amnesties {{Fact|date=December 2007}} it is estimated that, it total, two million people were direct victims of the communism repression.<ref>''Recensământul populaţiei concentraţionare din România în anii 1945-1989'' - report of the "Centrul Internaţional de Studii asupra Comunismului", Sighet, 2004</ref><ref>''Raportul Comisiei Prezidenţiale pentru Analiza Dictaturii Comuniste din România'' - report of the "Comisia Prezidenţială pentru Analiza Dictaturii Comuniste din România", 15 December 2006</ref>

===Present-day democracy===
{{main|Romania since 1989}}
After the fall of Ceauşescu, the ] (FSN), led by ], took partial multi-party democratic and free market measures.<ref>{{cite web| last=Carothers| first= Thomas |title= ROMANIA: THE POLITICAL BACKGROUND |url= http://www.idea.int/publications/country/upload/Romania,%20The%20Political%20Background.pdf |text= "This seven-year period can be characterized as a gradualistic, often ambiguous transition away from communist rule towards democracy."}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last=Hellman| first=Joel| title= Winners Take All: The Politics of Partial Reform in Postcommunist | Transitions World Politics - Volume 50, Number 2, January 1998, pp. 203-234}}</ref> Several major political parties of the pre-war era, such as the ], the ] and the ] were resurrected. After several major political rallies (especially in January), in April 1990, a sit-in protest contesting the results of the recently held parliamentary elections began in ]. The protesters accused the FSN of being made up of former Communists and members of the ]. The protesters did not recognize the results of the election, which they deemed undemocratic, and were asking for the exclusion from the political life of the former high-ranking Communist Party members. The protest rapidly grew to become an ongoing mass demonstration (known as the ]). The peaceful demonstrations degenerated into violence. After the police failed to bring the demonstrators to order, ] called on the "men of good will" to come and defend the State institutions in Bucharest.<ref>{{cite web| last=Bohlen | first=Celestine |title = Evolution in Europe; Romanian miners invade Bucharest|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6D6113DF936A25755C0A966958260|text= "Responding to an emergency appeal by President Ion Iliescu, thousands of miners from northern Romania descended on the capital city today"}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title= ROMANIA, Human Rights Developments|url= http://www.hrw.org/reports/1990/WR90/HELSINKI.BOU-02.htm| text= "The most dramatic example was then President-elect Iliescu's call on ] for miners to come to Bucharest to restore order"}}</ref> Coal miners of the ] answered the call and arrived in Bucharest on ]. Their violent intervention is remembered as the ].

The subsequent disintegration of the FSN produced several political parties including the Romanian Democrat Social Party (PDSR, later ], PSD), the ] (PD) and the ApR (]). The PDSR party governed Romania from 1990 until 1996 through several coalitions and governments with Ion Iliescu as head of state. Since then there have been three democratic changes of government: in 1996, the democratic-liberal opposition and its leader ] acceded to power; in 2000 the Social Democrats returned to power, with ] once again president; and in 2004 ] was elected president, with an electoral coalition called ] (DA). The government was formed by a larger coalition which also includes the ] and the ].

Post-] Romania developed closer ties with ], eventually joining ] in 2004.<ref>{{Citation|title =NATO update: NATO welcomes seven new members|url =http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2004/04-april/e0402a.htm}}</ref> The country applied in June 1993 for membership in the ] (EU). It became an Associated State of the EU in 1995, an Acceding Country in 2004, and a member on ], ].<ref>{{Citation|title=BBC News: EU approves Bulgaria and Romania|Url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5380024.stm}}</ref>

Following the free travel agreement and politic of the post-Cold War period, as well as hardship of the life in the post 1990s economic depression, Romania has an ], estimated at over 2 million people.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The main emmigration targets are Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, UK, and the USA.

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Romania}}
]

With a surface area of 238,391&nbsp;km², Romania is the largest country in ] and the ] in Europe. A large part of Romania's border with ] and ] is formed by the ]. The ] is joined by the ], which forms the border with the ]. The Danube flows into the ] within Romania's territory forming the ], the second largest and the best preserved delta in Europe, and a biosphere reserve and a biodiversity ].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588|title=Danube Delta|publisher=UNESCO's World Heritage Center|accessdate=2008-01-09}}</ref> Other important rivers are the ], running north-south through ], the ], running from the oriental Carpathian Mountains to ], and the ], running through ] from East to West.

Romania's terrain is distributed roughly equally between mountainous, hilly and lowland territories. The ] dominate the center of Romania, with ] reaching above the altitude of 2,000 meters. The highest mountain in Romania is ] (2544 m). In south-central Romania, the Carpathians sweeten into hills, towards the ]s. Romania's geographical diversity has led to an accompanying diversity of flora and fauna.
] in the ]]]

===Environment===
{{main|Protected areas of Romania}}
A high percentage of natural ecosystems (47% of the land area of the country) is covered with natural and semi-natural ecosystems.<ref name=biodiversity>{{citeweb|url=http://enrin.grida.no/biodiv/biodiv/national/romania/robiodiv.htm|title=Romania's Biodiversity|publisher=Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection of Romania|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Since almost half of all forests in Romania (13% of the country) have been managed for watershed conservation rather than production, Romania has one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe.<ref name=biodiversity/> The integrity of Romanian forest ecosystems is indicated by the presence of the full range of European forest fauna, including 60% and 40% of all European brown bears and wolves, respectively.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.envir.ee/programmid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity/index.htm|title=State of the Environment in Romania 1998: Biodiversity|publisher=Romanian Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> There are also almost 400 unique species of mammals (of which Carpathian ] are best known), birds, reptiles and amphibians in Romania.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/bio_cou_642.pdf|title=EarthTrends:Biodiversity and Protected Areas - Romania|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>

There are almost 10,000 km² (almost 5% of the total area) of protected areas in Romania.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.envir.ee/programmid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity/ariiprot/protarea.htm|title=Protected Areas in Romania|publisher=Romanian Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Of these, ] is the largest and least damaged wetland complex in Europe, covering a total area of 5800 km².<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.envir.ee/programmid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity/ariiprot/delta.htm|title=Danube Delta Reserve Biosphere|publisher=Romanian Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>
The significance of the biodiversity of the Danube Delta has been internationally recognised. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve in September 1990, a Ramsar site in May 1991, and over 50% of its area was placed on the ] in December 1991.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588|title=Danube Delta|publisher=UNESCO's World Heritage Center|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Within its boundaries is one of the most extensive ] systems in the world.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588/video|title=NHK World Heritage 100 Series|publisher=UNESCO's World Heritage Center|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> There are two other biosphera reserves: ] and ].

===Climate===
]]]
{{main|Climate of Romania}}
Owing to its distance from the open sea and position on the southeastern portion of the European continent, Romania has a climate that is transitional between ] and ] with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 11°C in the south and 8°C in the north.<ref name=climate>{{citeweb|url=http://countrystudies.us/romania/34.htm|title=Romania: Climate|publisher=U.S. Library of Congress|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> The ] are +44.5°C in ] 1951 and -38.5°C in ] 1942.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.romaniatourism.com/climate.html|title=Romania: climate|publisher=Climate|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>

Spring is pleasant with cool mornings and nights and warm days. Summers are generally very warm to hot, with summer (June to August) average maximum temperatures in Bucharest being around 28 °C,<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Romania/Climate/|title=The monthly average climate parameters in Bucharest|publisher=WorldTravels|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> with temperatures over 35 °C fairly common in the lower-lying areas of the country.
Minima in Bucharest and other lower-lying areas are around 16 °C, but at higher altitudes both maxima and minima decline considerably. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colorful foliage. Winters can be cold, with average maxima even in lower-lying areas being no more than 2 °C and below -15 °C in the highest mountains, where some areas of ] occur on the highest peaks.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://clic.npolar.no/disc/disc_datasets_metadata.php?s=0&desc=1&table=Datasets&id=DISC_GCMD_GGD30&tag=All&Category=&WCRP=&Location=All&stype=phrase&limit=10&q=|title=Permafrost Monitoring and Prediction in Southern Carpathians, Romania|publisher=CliC International Project Office (CIPO)|date=2004-12-22|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>

Precipitation is average with over 750 mm per year only on the highest western mountains &mdash; much of it falling as ] which allows for an extensive skiing industry. In the south-centern parts of the country (around Bucharest) the level of precipitation drops to around 600 mm,<ref>{{ro icon}}{{citation|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap1.pdf|title= The 2004 Yearbook|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> while in the Danube Delta, rainfall levels are very low, and average only around 370 mm.

== Demographics ==

{{main|Demographics of Romania}}
According to the 2002 census, Romania has a population of 21,698,181 and, similarly to other countries in the region, is expected to gently decline in the coming years as a result of ]s. ] make up 89.5% of the population. The largest ] are ], who make up 6.6% of the population and ], or Gypsies, who make up 2.46% of the population. By the official census 535,250 ] live in Romania.<ref>2002 census data, based on , gives a total of 535,250 Roma in Romania. This figure is disputed by other sources, because at the local level, many Roma declare a different ethnicity (mostly Romanian, but also Hungarian in the West and Turkish in Dobruja) for fear of discrimination. Many are not recorded at all, since they . International sources give higher figures than the official census(]'s Regional Bureau for Europe], , ).</ref><ref></ref> Hungarians, who are a sizeable minority in ], constitute a majority in the counties of ] and ]. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], as well as other ethnic groups, account for the remaining 1.4% of the population.<ref name="census"></ref>

The overall density figures conceal considerable regional variation. Population densities are naturally highest in the towns, with the plains (up to altitudes of some 700 ft) having the next highest density, especially in areas with intensive agriculture or a traditionally high birth rate (e.g., northern ] and the “contact” zone with the ]); areas at altitudes of 700 to {{convert|2000|ft|m|-2}}, rich in mineral resources, ], ], and ], support the lowest densities.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} The number of Romanians and individuals with ancestors born in Romania living abroad is estimated at around 12 million.

The official language of Romania is ], an ] related to ], ], ], ] and ]. Romanian is spoken as a first language by 91% of the population, with ] and ] being the most important minority languages, spoken by 6.7% and 1.1% of the population, respectively.<ref name="census" /> Until the 1990s, there was also a substantial number of German-speaking ], even though many have since emigrated to Germany, leaving only 45,000 native German speakers in Romania. In localities where a given ethnic minority makes up more than 20% of the population, that minority's language can be used in the public administration and justice system, while native-language education and signage is also provided. ] and ] are the main foreign languages taught in schools. English is spoken by 5 million Romanians, French is spoken by 4-5 million, and German, Italian and Spanish are each spoken by 1-2 million people.<ref>{{ro icon}}, Owners Association of the Software and Service Industry, retrieved ] ]</ref> Historically, French was the predominant foreign language spoken in Romania, even though English has since superseded it. Consequently, Romanian English-speakers tend to be younger than Romanian French-speakers. Romania is, however, a full member of ], and hosted the Francophonie Summit in 2006.<ref>{{fr icon}}</ref> German has been taught predominantly in Transylvania, due to traditions tracing back to the Austro-Hungarian rule in this province.

=== Religion ===

] in ] built between 1316 and 1545]]

{{main|Religion in Romania|Romanian Orthodox Church}}
Romania is a ], thus having no ]. The dominant religious body is the ], an ] church within the ] ]; its members make up 86.7% of the population according to the 2002 census. Other important ]s include ] (4.7%), ] (3.7%), ] (1.5%) and the ] (0.9%).<ref name="census" /> Romania also has a historically significant ] minority concentrated in ], mostly of Turkish ethnicity and numbering 67,500 people.<ref>{{ro icon}} </ref> Based on the 2002 census data, there are also 6,179 ], 23,105 people who are of no religion and/or ], and 11,734 who refused to answer. On ], ], a new Law on Religion was approved under which religious denominations can only receive official registration if they have at least 20,000 members, or about 0.1 percent of Romania's total population.<ref></ref>

=== Largest cities ===

{{main|Metropolitan areas in Romania}}
] is the capital and the largest city in Romania. At the census in 2002, its population was over 1.9 million.<ref></ref> The ] of ] has a population of about 2.2 million. There are several plans to increase further its metropolitan area to about 20 times the area of the ].<ref>{{ro icon}} </ref><ref>{{ro icon}}</ref>

There are 5 more cities in Romania, with a population of around 300,000, that are also present in ]. These are: ], ], ], ], and ]. The other cities with populations over 200,000 are ], ], ], ] and ]. Another 13 cities have populations over 100,000.<ref>{{citation|lang=ro|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/rw/resource/populatia%20la%201%20iulie.htm|title=Population in Romania 1 July 2007|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref>

Until now, several of the largest cities have a ]: ] (550,000 people), ], ] (both with around 400,000) and ] (260,000) and several others are planned: ] (400,000), ] (400,000), ] (600,000), ] (370,000), ] and ].<ref>{{ro icon}} </ref>

=== Education ===

]]]
{{main|Romanian Educational System}}
Since the ], the Romanian education system has been in a continuous process of ]ation that has been both praised and criticized.<ref>UNESCO report on Romania: </ref> According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the Educational System is regulated by the ]. Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislations. ] is optional between 3 and 6 years old. ]ing starts at age 7 (sometimes 6), and is compulsory until the 10th grade (which usually corresponds to the age of 17 or 16).<ref>UNESCO report on Romania: </ref> ] and ] education are divided in 12 or 13 grades. ] is aligned onto the ].

Aside from the official schooling system, and the recently-added private equivalents, there exists a semi-legal, informal, fully ] system (''meditaţii''). Tutoring is mostly used during ] as a preparation for the various examinations, which are notoriously difficult. Tutoring is wide-spread, and it can be considered a part of the Education System. It has subsisted and even prospered during the Communist regime.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}

In 2004, some 4.4 million of the population was enrolled in school. Out of these, 650,000 in kindergarten, 3.11 million (14% of population) in primary and secondary level, and 650,000 (3% of population) in tertiary level (universities).<ref>{{ro icon}} </ref> In the same year, the adult literacy rate was 97,3% (45th worldwide), while the combined gross enrollment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary schools was 75% (52nd worldwide).<ref></ref> The results of the ] assessment study in schools for the year 2000 placed Romania on the 34th rank out of 42 participant countries with a general weighted score of 432 representing 85% of the mean ] score.<ref>{{ro icon}} , Bucureşti, 2002 p. 10 - 15</ref> According to the ], in 2006 no Romanian university was included in the first 500 top universities world wide.<ref></ref> Using similar methodology to these rankings, it was reported that the best placed Romanian university, ], attained the half score of the last university in the world top 500.<ref>{{ro icon}} Răzvan Florian, Cluj-Napoca, România, p. 7-9</ref>

Romanian high school curricula have recently been ] and restructured, owing to a growing trend of religious conservatism. In 2006, the ], which has been taught since the country's Communist era, has been dropped from the compulsory curriculum nationwide. Philosophical writers critical of religion, such as Voltaire and Camus have also been removed from the philosophy curriculum. Instead, students are taught ] in Orthodox religion classes, which under a new proposal would become compulsory.<ref></ref>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Romania}}
] in Bucharest is the tallest building in Romania]]
With a ] of around $250 billion and a ] (]) of $11,989<ref> </ref> estimated for 2008, Romania is considered an upper-middle income economy<ref>, 2005</ref> and has been part of the ] since ], ]. After the ] was ], the country experienced a decade of economic instability and decline, led in part by an obsolete industrial base and a lack of structural reform. From 2000 onwards, however, the Romanian economy was transformed into one of relative ] stability, characterised by high growth, low ] and declining ]. In 2006, according to the ], GDP growth in real terms was recorded at 7.7%, one of the highest rates in Europe.<ref>{{ro icon}}{{citeweb|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/pib/pibr06.pdf|title=GDP in 2006|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> The growth dampened to 6.1% in 2007,<ref>{{citeweb|language=Romanian|title=World Bank: In 2008 Romania will have an economic growth of 5.9%|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/a115093/banca-mondiala-in-2008-romania-va-avea-o-crestere-economica-de-5-9.html|accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> and is expected to be around 5.7% in 2008.<ref name=economywatch>{{citeweb|url=http://romaniaeconomywatch.blogspot.com/2007/11/romania-trade-balance-september-2007.html|title=Romania at A Glance - January 2008|publisher=Romania Economy Watch|year=2008|month=January|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Unemployment in Romania was at 3.9% in September 2007<ref>{{ro icon}} , ], Romania</ref> which is very low compared to other middle-sized or large European countries such as ], ], ] and ]. Foreign debt is also comparatively low, at 20.3% of GDP.<ref name="CIA">] 2006"]</ref> Exports have increased substantially in the past few years, with a 25% year-on-year rise in exports in the first quarter of 2006. Romania's main exports are clothing and textiles, industrial machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, metallurgic products, raw materials, cars, military equipment, software, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, and flowers). Trade is mostly centred on the member states of the European Union, with ] and ] being the country's single largest trading partners. The country, however, maintains a large trade deficit, which increased sharply during 2007 by 50%, to 15 billon euros.<ref name=economywatch/>

After a series of privatisations and reforms in the late 1990s and early 2000s, government intervention in the Romanian economy is somewhat lower than in other European economies.<ref></ref> In 2005, the government replaced Romania's ] system with a ] of 16% for both personal income and corporate profit, resulting in the country having the lowest fiscal burden in the European Union,<ref>, ], 26 June 2007</ref> a factor which has contributed to the growth of the private sector. The economy is predominantly based on services, which account for 55% of GDP, even though industry and agriculture also have significant contributions, making up 35% and 10% of GDP, respectively. Additionally, 32% of the Romanian population is employed in agriculture and primary production, one of the highest rates in Europe.<ref name="CIA" /> Since 2000, Romania has attracted increasing amounts of foreign investment, becoming the single largest investment destination in Southeastern and Central Europe. ] was valued at €8.3 billion in 2006.<ref></ref> According to a 2006 ] report, Romania currently ranks 49th out of 175 economies in the ease of doing business, scoring higher than other countries in the region such as ], ] and the ].<ref>, Doing Business 2007 Report, World Bank</ref> Additionally, the same study judged it to be the world's second-fastest economic reformer in 2006.<ref>, World Bank</ref> The average gross wage per month in Romania is 1411 lei as of September 2007,<ref>{{ro icon}} , National Institute of Statistics, Romania</ref> equating to €403.3 (US$597.3) based on international exchange rates, and $1001.1 based on purchasing power parity.<ref>, IMF, 2006</ref>
]]]
===Transportation===
{{main|Transport in Romania}}
Due to its location, Romania is a major crossroad for International economic exchange in ]. However, because of insufficient investment, maintenance and repair, the transport infrastructure does not meet the current needs of a ] and lags behind ]. Nevertheless, these conditions are rapidly improving and catching up with the standards of ]. Several projects have been started with funding from grants from ] and several loans from ] (], ], etc.) guaranteed by the state, to upgrade the ]. Also, the Government is actively pursuing new external financing or public-private partnerships to further upgrade the main roads, and especially the country's ].

] estimates that the railway network in Romania comprised in 2004 22,298 km of track, which would make it the fourth largest railroad network in Europe.<ref></ref> The ] experienced a dramatic fall in freight and passenger volumes from the peak volumes recorded in 1989 mainly due to the decline in GDP and competition from road transport. In 2004, the railways carried 8.64 billion passenger-km in 99 million passenger journeys, and 73 million metric tones, or 17 billion ton-km of freight.<ref name="Europaworld">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=The Europa World Year Book|year=2007|volume=2|edition=48|publisher=Routledge|location=London and New York|title=Romania|pages=3734-3759}}</ref> The combined total transportation by rail constituted around 45% of all passenger and freight movement in the country.<ref name="Europaworld"/>

] is the only city in Romania which has an ] railway system. The ] was only opened in 1979. Now is one of the most accessed systems of the ] with an average ridership of 600,000 passengers during the workweek.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.sfin.ro/articol_8634/transferul_metrorex_la_primaria_capitalei_a_incins_spiritele.html|title=Metrorex ridership|language=ro|publisher=Financial Week newspaper|date=April 23, 2007|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{main|Tourism in Romania}}
], used to promote the tourist attractions in the country]]

Tourism focuses on the country's natural landscapes and its rich history and is a significant contributor to the Romania's economy. In 2006, the domestic and international ] generated about 4.8% of gross domestic product and 5.8% of the total jobs (about half a million jobs).<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.weforum.org/pdf/tourism/Romania.pdf|publisher=World Economic Forum|title=Country/Economy Profiles: Romania, Travel&Tourism|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> Following commerce, tourism is the second largest component of the services sector. Tourism is one of the most dynamic and fastest developing sectors of the economy of Romania and characterized by a huge potential for development. According to the ] Romania is the fourth fastest growing country in the world in terms of travel and tourism total demand with a yearly potential growth of 8% from 2007-2016.<ref>{{citeweb|title=WTTC spells out policy recommendations for Romania to tap travel and tourism potential|publisher=WTTC|url=http://www.wttc.travel/eng/News_and_Events/Press/Press_Releases_2006/WTTC_spells_out_recommendations_for_Romania/index.php|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> Number of tourists grew from 4.8 million in 2002 to 6.6 million in 2004.<ref name="Europaworld"/> Similarly, the revenues grew from 400 million in 2002 to 607 in 2004.<ref name="Europaworld"/> In 2006, Romania registered 20 million overnight stays by international tourists, an all-time record,<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://aktirom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=2|title=20 million overnight stays by international tourists|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> but the number for 2007 is expected to increase even more.<ref name=turism>{{citeweb|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/turism/a07/turism09e07.pdf|title=Report from Romanian National Institute of Statistics|quote=for the first 9 months of 2007 an increase from the previous year of 8.7% to 16.5 million tourists; of these 94.0% came from European countries and 61.7% from EU|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref>
Tourism in Romania attracted €400 million in investments in 2005.<ref>{{citeweb|language=ro|url=http://www.gandul.info/social/turismul-atras-2005-investitii-400-milioane-euro.html?3932;255059|publisher=''Gandul'' Newspaper|title=Tourism attracted in 2005 investments worth 400 million euros|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref>

], at the ] shore]]

Over the last years, Romania has emerged as a popular tourist destination for many Europeans (more than 60% of the foreign visitors were from EU countries<ref name=turism/>), thus attempting to compete with ], ], ] and ]. Romania destinations such as ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] (sometimes called the '']'') and are among the most popular attraction during summer.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://unseenromania.com/places-to-go-romania/the-Black-Sea.html?page=1|title=Tan and fun at the Black Sea|publisher=UnseenRomania|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> During winter the skiing resorts along the ] and ] are booming with visitors. Several cities in ] (such as ], ], ], ] and several others) have become important touristic attractions for foreign tourists - especially for their medieval atmosphere and ].{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Rural tourism focused on folklore and traditions, has become a major issue for the authorities recently,{{Fact|date=November 2007}} and is targeted to promote such sites as ] and its ], the ], the ], or the ] in ]. There are several major natural attractions in Romania - such as ],<ref name="Europaworld"/> ] (] Gorge), ] and several other caves in the ] - that have not received great attention from the authorities and whose potential has not been fully tapped.{{F

==Culture==
], ] in 2007]]
] in ] was built between 1906-1925 and hosts several museums]]
{{main|Culture of Romania}}

Romania has its unique culture, which is the product of its geography and of its distinct historical evolution. Like Romanians themselves, it is fundamentally defined as the meeting point of three regions: ], ], and the ], but cannot be truly included in any of them.<ref></ref> The Romanian identity formed on a substratum of mixed ] and quite possibly ]n elements,<ref name="dacian">{{cite book| title=Romania: Borderland of Europe| first=Boia| last=Lucian| isbn=1861891032| year=2001| publisher=Reaktion Books| pages=36-40| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=zHTN-TQkd3cC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=romanian+identity+dacian&source=web&ots=X54OeYBSvn&sig=jGGeJf3Pene2WAoBC_-LbrpLJxY#PPA39,M1| accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> with many other influences. During late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the major influences came from the ] who migrated and settled in nearby ], ], ] and eventually ];{{Fact|date=November 2007}} from medieval ] and the ];{{Fact|date=November 2007}} from a long domination by the ];{{Fact|date=November 2007}} from the ];{{Fact|date=November 2007}} and from the ] living in Transylvania. Modern Romanian culture emerged and developed over roughly the last 250 years under a strong influence from ], particularly ]{{Fact|date=November 2007}} and ] culture.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
===Arts===
] in Bucharest was opened in 1888]]
{{main|Literature of Romania|Music of Romania|Arts in Romania|Cinematography in Romania|Romanian philosophy}}

The Romanian literature began to truly evolve with the ] and the union of the two ] in 1856. The ] began to be discussed and ] and Romanian scholars began studying in France, Italy and Germany.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The German philosophy and French culture were integrated into modern Romanian literature and a new elite of artists lead to the appearance of some of the classics of the Romanian literature such as ], ], ]. Although they remain little known outside Romania, they are very appreciated within Romania for giving birth to a true Romanian literature by creating modern lyrics with inspiration from the ]. Of them, Eminescu is considered the most important and influential Romanian poet, and is still very much loved for his creations, and especially the peom '']''.<ref>{{citeweb|language=Romanian|url=http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/l_eminescu.html|title=Mihai Eminescu|publisher=ici.ro|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> Among other writers that made large contributions around the second half of 19th century are ] (also the first prime minister of Romania), ], ], ], and ].

], ] of Romania and ]]]

The first half of the 20th century is regarded by many Romanian scholars as the ''Golden Age'' of Romanian culture and it is the period when it reached its main level of international affirmation and a strong connection to the ] trends.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The most important artist who had a great influence on the world culture was the ] ], a central figure of the modern movement and a pioneer of abstraction, the innovator of world sculpture by immersion in the primordial sources of folk creation. His sculptures blend simplicity and sophistication that led the way for ] sculptors.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.brancusi.com/bio.html|title=Constantin Brâncuşi's bio|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> As a testimony to his skill, one of his pieces, ''"]"'' , was sold in an auction for $27.5 million in 2005, a record for any sculpture.<ref>{{citeweb|publisher=cbc.ca|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2005/05/05/brancusiauction050505.html|title=Brancusi's 'Bird in Space' soars to new auction record|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://antiquesandthearts.com/AW-2005-05-10-12-15-39p1.htm|title=Brancusi's 'Bird in Space' Sets World Auction Record for Sculpture at $27,456,000|publisher=Antiques and the Arts Online|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://crib.mae.ro/index.php?lang=en&id=31&s=15441&arhiva=true|publisher=Romanian Information Center in Brussels|title=November 9, The price record for a Brancusi masterpiece was set up in 2005 when “Bird in Space” was sold for USD 27.5 M|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> In the period between the two world wars, authors like ], ], ], ], ] made efforts to synchronize Romanian literature with the European literature of the time. From this period comes also ], probably the best known Romanian musician.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.enescusociety.org/georgeenescu.php|title=George Enescu, the composer|publisher=International Enescu Society|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> He is a ], ], ], ], teacher, and one of the greatest performers of his time,<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/m_enescu.html|title=George Enescu (1881 - 1955)|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> in whose honor is held the annualy in Bucharest, the classical music ].

]''' in ]]]

After the world wars, communism brough heavy censorship on almost all elements of life and they used the cultural world as a mean to better control the population.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The freedom of expression was constantly restricted in various ways, but the likes of ], ], ] or ] managed to escape censorship, broke with "]" and were the leaders of a small "Renaissance" in Romanian literature.<ref>{{citebook|last=Ştefănescu|first=Alex.|title="Nichita Stănescu, Îngerul cu o carte în mâini" (Nichita Stănescu, The Angel With A Book In His Hands"|language=Romanian|publisher=Maşina de scris|year=1999|pages=8}}</ref> While not many of them managed to obtain international acclaim due to the censorship, some like ], ] and ] had their works published abroad even though they got jailed for various political reasons.

Some artists chose to leave the country entirely, and continued to make contributions in exile. Among them ], ] and ] became renown worldwide for their works. Other literary figures who enjoy acclaim outside of the country include the poet ] and Nobel laureate ], both survivors of the Holocaust. Some famous Romanian artists musicians are the folk artist ], and the virtuoso of the ] ] - who is reported to have sold over 120 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.cbc.ca/insite/SOUNDS_LIKE_CANADA/2006/1/17.html|date=2006-01-17|pubisher=CBC Radio|title=Sounds Like Canada feat. Gheorghe Zamfir|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.gheorghe-zamfir.com/English/diskographie-e.htm|title=Gheorghe Zamfir, master of the pan pipe|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref>

Romanian cinema has recently achieved worldwide acclaim with the appearance of such films as '']'', directed by ], (] ] winner), and '']'', directed by ] (] '']'' winner).<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.altfg.com/blog/film-festivals/cannes-2007-winners/|title=Cannes 2007 Winners|publisher=Alternative Film Guide|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> The latter, according to '']'', is "further proof of Romania's new prominence in the film world."<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=cannes2007&jump=review&reviewid=VE1117933650|title=4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days|accessdate=2007-05-17|author=Jay Weissberg|date=2007-05-17|publisher='']''}}</ref>

], 1419, with its impressive size and architectural beauty sets it among the most precious monuments of medieval art.]]
] city of ] first attested in the 12th century, is nowadays famous for its Medieval Festival]]

===Monuments===
{{see also|List of castles in Romania|List of museums in Romania|UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania}}
The ] ]<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/?search=&searchSites=&search_by_country=romania&type=&media=&region=&order=&criteria_restrication=&x=0&y=0|title=Official list of WHS within Romania|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref> includes Romanian sites such as the ], the ] with their fine exterior and interior frescoes, the ] unique examples that combine Gothic style with traditional timber construction, the ], the citadel of ], and the ].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.cimec.ro/Monumente/unesco/UNESCOen/fastvers.htm|title=World Heritage List from Romania|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref> Romania's contribution to the World Heritage List stands out because it consists of some groups of monuments scattered around the country, rather than one or two special landmarks.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.worldheritagesite.org/countries/romania.html|title=World Heritage Site - Romania|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref> Also, in 2007, the city of ] famous for its ] is the ] alongside the city of ].

==Government==
===Politics===
{{main|Politics of Romania}}
The ''Constitution of Romania'' is based on the ]<ref name="Europaworld"/> and was approved in a national referendum on 8 December 1991.<ref name="Europaworld"/> A plebiscite held in October 2003 approved 79 amendments to the Constitution, bringing it into conformity with the European Union legislation.<ref name="Europaworld"/> Romania is governed on the basis of multi-party democratic system and of the segregation of the legal, executive and judicial powers.<ref name="Europaworld"/> The Constitution states that Romania is a ] democratic republic where executive functions are shared between the ] and the ]. ] is elected by popular vote for maximum two terms, and since the ammendments in 2003, the terms are five years.<ref name="Europaworld"/> The President appoints the ], who in turn appoints the ].<ref name="Europaworld"/> While the president resides at ], the Prime Minister with the ] is based at ].

] , the seat of Romania's bicameral parliament. Built in 1984, it is the largest building in Europe and the world's second ] behind ]<ref></ref> and 10% larger by volume than the ].<ref></ref>]]

The legislative branch of the government, collectively known as the ] (''Parlamentul României''), consists of ] &ndash; the ] (''Senat''), which has 140 members, and the ] (''Camera Deputaţilor''), which has 346 members.<ref name="Europaworld"/> The members of both chambers are elected every four years under a system of ].<ref name="Europaworld"/>

The justice system is independent of the other branches of government, and is made up of a hierarchical system of courts culminating in the ], which is the supreme court of Romania.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.scj.ro/monogr_en.asp|title=High Court of Cassation and Justice - Presentation|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> There are also courts of appeal, county courts and local courts. The Romanian judicial system is strongly influenced by the ],<ref name="Europaworld"/><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps35389/2000//legal_system.html|title=Romanian Legal system|publisher=CIA Factbook|year=2000|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> considering that it is based on ] and is ] in nature. The ] (''Curtea Constituţională'') is responsible for judging the compliance of laws and other state regulations to the ], which is the fundamental law of the country. The constitution, which was introduced in 1991, can only be amended by a public referendum, the last one being in 2003. Since this amendment, the court's decisions cannot be overruled by any majority of the parliament.

The country's entry into the ] in 2007 has been a significant influence on its domestic policy. As part of the process, Romania has instituted reforms including ], increased judicial cooperation with other member states, and measures to combat corruption. Nevertheless, in 2006 Brussels report, Romania and ] were described as the two most corrupt countries in the EU.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.bbj.hu/main/news_18741_romania+will+be+eus+most+corrupt+new+member.html|title=Romania will be EU's most corrupt new member|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{main|Administrative divisions of Romania}}
Romania is divided into forty-one ] (judeţe), as well as the municipality of ] (Bucureşti) - which is its own administrative unit. Each county is administered by a county council (''consiliu judeţean''), responsible for local affairs, as well as a prefect, who is appointed by the central government but cannot be a member of any political party.

The country is further subdivided into 319 ] and 2686 ] (rural localities).<ref>{{citeweb|language=ro|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap1.pdf|chapter=1.8|title=Administrative Organisation of Romanian Territory, on December 31, 2005|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> Each of these have their own local councils and are headed by a mayor (''primar''). 103 of the larger and more urbanised cities have the status of ], which gives them greater administrative power over local affairs.

]. The 41 local administrative units are also highlighted.]]

Alongside the county structure, Romania is also divided into four ]-1 level divisions (Romanian:''Macroregiunea'') and eight ] corresponding to NUTS-2 divisions in the European Union.<ref name=nuts>{{citeweb|url=http://ec.europa.eu/comm/eurostat/ramon/nuts/codelist_en.cfm?list=nuts|title=Hierarchical list of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics - NUTS and the Statistical regions of Europe|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> These divisions have no administrative capacity and are instead used for co-ordinating regional development projects and statistical purposes. The NUTS-3 level divisions reflect Romania's administrative-territorial structure, and correspond to the 41 ] and the ] municipality.<ref name=nuts/>
*Macroregiunea 1:
**] (6 counties)
**] (6 counties)
*Macroregiunea 2:
**] (6 counties)
**] (6 counties)
*Macroregiunea 3:
**] (7 counties)
**] (1 county and Bucharest)
*Macroregiunea 4:
**] (5 counties)
**] (4 counties)

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of Romania}}
Since December 1989, Romania has pursued a policy of strengthening relations with the West in general, more specifically with the ] and the ]. It joined the ] (NATO) on ], ], the ] (EU) on ], ], and the ] and the ] in 1972, and is a member of the ].

The current government has stated its goal of strengthening ties with and helping other ]an countries (in particular ], ] and ]) with the process of integration with the West.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Romania has also made clear over the past 10 years that it supports NATO and EU membership for the democratic former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe and the ].{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Romania also declared its public support for ], ] and ] joining the European Union.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} With Turkey, Romania shares a privileged economic relation.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.thenewanatolian.com/ek6.pdf|publisher=The New Anatolian, February 1, 2006|title= Turkey & Romania hand in hand for a better tomorrow.}}</ref> Because it has a large Hungarian minority, Romania has also developed strong relations with ] - the latter supported Romania's bid to join the EU.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}

In December 2005, President ] and U.S. ] ] signed an agreement that would allow a U.S. military presence at several Romanian facilities primarily in the eastern part of the country.<ref></ref>

Relations with ] are ], considering that the two countries practically share the same language, and a ]. Signs in the early 1990s that Romania and Moldova might unite after both countries achieved emancipation from communist rule,{{Fact|date=January 2008}} quickly faded away when a pro-Russian government was formed in Moldova.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Romania remains interested in Moldovan affairs,{{Fact|date=January 2008}} but the two countries have been unable even to reach agreement on a basic bilateral treaty; Romania is insistent (against determined Moldovan resistance) that such a treaty would have to refer to Romania and Moldova's 'special relationship'.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} ''For more information see ].''

==Sports==
{{main|Sport in Romania}}
] is by far the most popular sport in Romania.<ref name=EYb2007>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=The Europa World Year Book|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|volume=2|title=Romania}}</ref> The governing body is the ], which belongs to ]. The top division of the ] attracted an average of 5417 spectators per game in the 2006-07 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm european-football-statistics.co.uk | title=EFS Attendances| work=European Football Statistics|accessdate=2007-04-21}}</ref> At international level, the ] has taken part 7 times in the ], and it had the most successful period throughout the 1990s, when during the ] in ], Romania reached the quarter-finals and was ranked by ] on the 6th place. The core player of this "]"<ref>{{citenews|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1677201.stm|title=Hagi leaves Romania post|date=2001-11-26|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-01-10|quote=Hagi enjoyed legendary status in Romania where he spearheaded the 'Golden Generation' of players...}}</ref> and perhaps the best known Romanian player internationally is ] (nicknamed ''the Maradona of the Carpathians''<ref>{{citenews|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/football/europe/1264097.stm|title=Hagi snubs Maradona|publisher=BBC Sport Online|date=2001-04-06|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>). Famous currently active players are ] and ]. The most famous football club is ], who in ] the prestigious ] title, and who ]. Another successful Romanian team ] played a semifinal in the ] in 1984 and a ] semifinal in the 1990. Other important Romanian football clubs are ], ] and ].

Tennis is the second most popular sport in terms of registered sportsmen.<ref name=EYb2007/> Romania reached the ] finals three times (1969, 1971, 1972). The tennisman ] won several ] titles and dozens of other tournaments, and was the first player to be ] by ] from 1973 to 1974. The ] is held every fall in Bucharest since 1993.

Popular ]s are ] (] has ] ]), ] and ].<ref name=EYb2007/> Some popular ]s are: athletism, chess, sport dance, and martial arts and other fighting sports.<ref name=EYb2007/>

Although ] is not very popular within Romania, Romanian gymnasts have had a large number of successes - for which the country became known worldwide.<ref>This was so much the case that Romanians became stereotipyzed as gymnasts, as in the ] episode ]</ref> In the ], the gymnast ] became the first gymnast ever to score a perfect "ten". She also won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze, all at the age of fifteen.<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.gymn-forum.net/Articles/NYT-1976_AmCup2.html|title=Gymnast Posts Perfect Mark|author=Robin Herman|publisher=]|date=1976-03-28}}</ref> Her success continued in the ], where she was awarded two gold medals and two silver medals.

Romania participated in for the first time in the ] in 1900 and has taken part in 18 of the 24 summer games. Romania has been one of the more successful countries ] (]) with a total of 283 medals won throughout the years, 82 of which are gold medals.<ref></ref> Winter sports have received little investments and thus only a single bronze medal was won by Romanian sportsmen in the ].

==References==
*''Much of the material in these articles comes from the ] 2006 and the 2005 U.S. Department of State website.''
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Romania}}
{{portal|Romania|Flag of Romania.svg}}

'''Overviews'''
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'''Economy and law links'''
* - from the ]
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'''Culture and history links'''
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{{Romanian topics|Topics related}}
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Revision as of 15:46, 11 March 2008

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