Page last updated on January 31, 2014
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
total: 238,391 sq km
country comparison to the world: 83
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
slightly smaller than Oregon
total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
arable land: 37.73%
permanent crops: 1.86%
other: 60.41% (2011)
total: 6.88 cu km/yr (22%/61%/17%)
per capita: 320.8 cu m/yr (2009)
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)
Romanian (official) 91%, Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
21,790,479 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
0-14 years: 14.7% (male 1,642,950/female 1,556,430)
15-24 years: 11.8% (male 1,317,820/female 1,255,982)
25-54 years: 45.5% (male 5,000,720/female 4,904,527)
55-64 years: 13% (male 1,319,066/female 1,508,158)
65 years and over: 15.1% (male 1,326,641/female 1,958,185) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 43.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 21.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 21.7 %
potential support ratio: 4.6 (2013)
total: 39.4 years
male: 38 years
female: 41 years (2013 est.)
-0.27% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
9.4 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
11.86 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
urban population: 52.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: -0.18% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
BUCHAREST (capital) 1.933 million (2009)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
27 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 128
total: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 142
male: 11.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 74.45 years
country comparison to the world: 110
male: 70.99 years
female: 78.13 years (2013 est.)
1.31 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
69.8%
note: percent of women aged 15-49 (2005)
5.9% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 116
2.39 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
6.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
16,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
19.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
3.5% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 100
4.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 101
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.7%
male: 98.3%
female: 97.1% (2011 est.)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2010)
total number: 26,658
percentage: 1 % (2000 est.)
total: 22.7%
country comparison to the world: 49
male: 22.3%
female: 23.2% (2012)
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
name: Bucharest
geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea
9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized on 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)
Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991 (2013)
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004); note - President BASESCU has twice been temporarily suspended since assuming his post: first from 20 April-23 May 2007, second from 6 July-27 August 2012; he survived a national recall referendum on both occasions
head of government: Prime Minister Victor-Viorel PONTA (since 7 May 2012)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 November 2009 with runoff on 6 December 2009 (next to be held in November-December 2014); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament
election results: Traian BASESCU reelected president; percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 50.3%, Mircea GEOANA 49.7%
bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (176 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (412 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 9 December 2012 (next by December 2016); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 December 2012 (next by December 2016)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - USL 60.1%, ARD 16.7%, PP-DD 14.6%, UDMR 5.3%, other 3.3%; seats by alliance/party - USL 122, ARD 24, PP-DD 21, UDMR 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - USL 58.6%, ARD 16.5%, PP-DD 14%, UDMR 5.2%, ethnic minorities 2.6%, other 3.1%; seats by alliance/party - USL 273, ARD 56, PP-DD 47, UDMR 18, ethnic minorities 18
highest court(s): High Court of Cassation and Justice (consists of 11 judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
judge selection and term of office: High Court of Cassation and Justice judges appointed by the president upon nomination by the Superior Council of Magistracy, an 11-member body mostly of judges, prosecutors, and law specialists; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members appointed - 6 by Parliament and 3 by the president; members serve 9-year, non-renewable terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts
Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU]
other: various human rights and professional associations
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
chief of mission: Iulian BUGA (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Duane BUTCHER (since 14 December 2012)
embassy: Bulevardul Dr. Liviu Librescu 4-6, District 1, Bucharest, 015118
mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300
FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which united in 1862 to form Romania; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed
note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)
lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment fueled strong GDP growth, but led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and to address Romania''s widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to permeate the business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven by strong consumer demand, high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. As a result of the increase in fiscal and current account deficits and the global financial crisis, Romania signed on to a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders. Worsening international financial markets, as well as a series of drastic austerity measures implemented to meet Romania''s obligations under the IMF-led bail-out agreement contributed to a GDP contraction of 6.6% in 2009, followed by a 1.1% GDP contraction in 2010. The economy returned to positive growth in 2011 due to strong exports, a better than expected harvest, and weak domestic demand. In 2012, however, growth slowed to less than 1%, partially due to slackening export demand and an extended drought that resulted in an exceptionally poor harvest. In March 2011, Romania and the IMF/EU/World Bank signed a 24-month precautionary stand-by agreement, worth $6.6 billion, to promote fiscal discipline, encourage progress on structural reforms, and strengthen financial sector stability. The Romanian authorities announced that they do not intend to draw funds under the agreement.
$271.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$167.1 billion (2012 est.)
0.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
$12,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
23.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
household consumption: 71.5%
government consumption: 6.6%
investment in fixed capital: 26.7%
investment in inventories: 0.3%
exports of goods and services: 40%
imports of goods and services: -45.2%
agriculture: 10.3%
industry: 35%
services: 54.9% (2012 est.)
wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep
electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining
-0.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
9.252 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
agriculture: 31.6%
industry: 21.1%
services: 47.3% (2010)
5.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 19.8% (2011 est.)
33.2 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 97
revenues: $55.69 billion
expenditures: $59.95 billion (2012 est.)
33.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
-2.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
37.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
3.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
5.25% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 63
11.33% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$26.51 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$63.44 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$82.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$29.56 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 62
$-6.346 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$51.29 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
machinery and equipment, metals and metal products, textiles and footwear, chemicals, agricultural products, minerals and fuels
Germany 18.9%, Italy 12.3%, France 7.1%, Turkey 5.5%, Hungary 5.5% (2012)
$62.75 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels and minerals, metals, textile and products, agricultural products
Germany 17.5%, Italy 11%, Hungary 9.1%, France 5.7%, Russia 4.4%, Poland 4.3%, Austria 4.2%, Kazakhstan 4.1% (2012)
$46.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$129.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$75.46 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$2.727 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
lei (RON) per US dollar -
60.39 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
53.74 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
2.457 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
1.04 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
24.98 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
61.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
9.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
27% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
1.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
101,600 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
1,604 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
122,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
600 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 47
218,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
218,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
75,480 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
44,070 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
10.61 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
14.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
3.16 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 53
86.19 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
4.68 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 32
22.7 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 45
general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services
domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 110 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2011)
a mixture of public and private TV stations; the public broadcaster operates multiple stations; roughly 100 private national, regional, and local stations; more than 75% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems that provide access to Romanian, European, and international stations; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations; more than 100 private radio stations (2008)
2.667 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 35
7.787 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 37
45 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 97
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
total: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m:
gas 3,726 km; oil 2,451 km (2013)
total: 10,777 km
country comparison to the world: 22
broad gauge: 134 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 10,639 km 1.435-m gauge (4,020 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 4 km 1.000-m gauge (2012)
total: 84,185 km
country comparison to the world: 56
paved: 49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways)
unpaved: 34,312 km (2012)
1,731 km (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 46
total: 5
country comparison to the world: 127
by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Russia 1)
registered in other countries: 31 (Georgia 7, Liberia 3, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 2, Moldova 2, Panama 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 2, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, unknown 1) (2010)
major seaport(s): Constanta, Midia
river port(s): Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)
Land Forces, Naval Forces (Fortele Naval, FN), Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR) (2013)
20-35 years of age for compulsory male military service; conscription ended 2006, but military service remains mandatory; 18 years of age for male and female voluntary service; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36 (2012)
males age 16-49: 5,601,234
females age 16-49: 5,428,939 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 4,550,409
females age 16-49: 4,507,880 (2010 est.)
male: 117,798
female: 111,607 (2010 est.)
1.29% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 243
the ICJ ruled largely in favor of Romania in its dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea
stateless persons: 248 (2012)
