About Romania

Key Facts Official Name: Romania Location: South-Eastern Europe Time Zone: GMT + 2 Area: 237,502 sq. km - (91,725 sq. miles) Flag of Romania: Three vertical stripes: red, yellow and blue Population: 20,121,641 (2011) Second most populous in CEE Ethnic Groups: Romanian 89%, Hungarian 7.5%, Gipsy 1.9%, German, Other 1.6% Religions: Christian Orthodox 87%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 5%, Jewish Official Language: Romanian Currency:  Romanian Leu (RON) Major Industries: Agriculture, Chemicals, Coke, Food Processing and Forestry Steel Works, Machinery and Manufacturing - Ford, Renault etc.. Climate: Temperate, continental climate with four distinct seasons Capital: Bucharest Form of State: Parliamentary Republic with two legislative bodies: Senate and Chamber of Representatives Legal system: Based on European models and Constitution of 1991.

Geographical Location

Romania is situated in the south-eastern part of Central Europe and shares borders with Hungary to the north- west, Serbia to the south-west, Bulgaria to the south, the Black Sea and Ukraine to the south-east and to the north and the Republic of Moldova to the east. Romania is the second largest country in the area, after Poland. Romania extends approximately 480 kilometres North to South and 640 kilometres East to West. Romania's territory features splendid mountains, beautiful rolling hills, fertile plains and numerous rivers and lakes. The Carpathian Mountains cover the centre of the country bordered on both sides by foothills and finally the great plains of the outer rim. Forests cover over one quarter of the country and the fauna is one of the richest in Europe including bears, deer, lynx, chamois and wolves. The legendary Danube River ends its eight-country journey through Europe at the Black Sea by forming one of the biggest and most interesting wetlands in the world, the Danube Delta.

Physical features

• Mountains: 31% of Romania’s territory • Hills and orchards: 36% • Plains: 33% • Areas covered by rivers and lakes: 3.7 % • Total number of lakes: 3,500 - Lakes greater than 250 acres: 300 • Highest mountain peak: Moldoveanu Mt. - 2544 meters

Climate

Romania has a temperate climate, similar to the north-eastern United States, with four distinct seasons. Spring is pleasant with cool mornings and nights, and warm days. Summer is quite warm, with extended sunny days. The hottest areas in summer are the lowlands in southern and eastern Romania where 30°C is often reached in July and August. Temperatures are always cooler in the mountains. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colourful foliage, much like New England. Winters can be cold, especially in the mountains. While not the rule, abundant snowfalls often occur throughout the country, from December to mid-March. Hottest Month: July Coldest Month: January.

 

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