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| {{About|the modern country}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}} | |||
| {{pp-move-indef}} | |||
| {{Infobox country | |||
| |native_name = {{native name|ro|România|icon=no}} | |||
| |conventional_long_name = Romania | |||
| |common_name = Romania | |||
| |image_flag = Flag of Romania.svg | |||
| |image_coat = Coat of arms of Romania.svg | |||
| |ima | |||
| |accessdate=2010-02-22 | |||
| |last= | |||
| |first= | |||
| }} | |||
| </ref> | |||
| |ethnic_groups_year = 2002 | |||
| |demonym = ] | |||
| |government_type = ] ] | |||
| |capital = ] | |||
| |largest_city = capital | |||
| |regional_languages = | |||
| |latd = 44 | |||
| |latm = 25 | |||
| |latNS = N | |||
| |longd = 26 | |||
| |longm = 06 | |||
| |longEW = E | |||
| |largest_city = capital | |||
| |leader_title1 = ] | |||
| |leader_name1 = ] | |||
| |leader_title2 = <small>]</small> | |||
| |leader_name2 = <small>]</small> | |||
| |leader_title3 = '']'' | |||
| |leader_name3 = '']'' | |||
| |legislature = ] | |||
| |upper_house = ] | |||
| |lower_house = ] | |||
| |area_rank = 83rd | |||
| |area_magnitude = 1_E+11 | |||
| |area_km2 = 238,391 | |||
| |area_sq_mi = 92,043 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |percent_water = 3 | |||
| |population_estimate_year = 2011 | |||
| |population_estimate = 21,904,551<ref name="Romania Demographics Profile 2011">{{Cite web|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/romania/demographics_profile.html|title=Romania Demographics Profile 2011|publisher=Index Mundi|accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> | |||
| |population_estimate_rank = 52nd | |||
| |population_census_year = 2011 | |||
| |population_census = 19,042,936<ref>http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/alte/2012/Comunicat%20DATE%20PROVIZORII%20RPL%202011.pdf</ref> | |||
| |population_density_km2 = 79 | |||
| |population_density_sq_mi = 233 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |population_density_rank = 104th | |||
| |GDP_PPP_year = 2011 | |||
| |GDP_PPP = $264.269 billion<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=53&pr.y=13&sy=2010&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=968&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a= |title=Romania|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=20 December 2011}}</ref> | |||
| |GDP_PPP_rank = 46th | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $12,358<ref name="ReferenceA"/> | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 73rd | |||
| |GDP_nominal = $185.315 billion<ref name="ReferenceA"/> | |||
| |GDP_nominal_rank = 48th | |||
| |GDP_nominal_year = 2011 | |||
| |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $8,666<ref name="ReferenceA"/> | |||
| |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 78th | |||
| |HDI_year = 2011 | |||
| |HDI = {{increase}} 0.781<ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2010|year=2010|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> | |||
| |HDI_rank = 50th | |||
| |HDI_category = <span style="color:#090;">high</span> | |||
| |Gini = 32<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html|title=CIA – The World Factbook – Field Listing :: Distribution of family income – Gini index|publisher=]|accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref> | |||
| |Gini_year = 2008 | |||
| |Gini_category = <span style="color:#fc0;">medium</span> | |||
| |sovereignty_type = ] | |||
| |sovereignty_note = | |||
| |established_event1 = ]<sup>1</sup> | |||
| |established_date1 = January 24, 1859 | |||
| |established_event2 = ] from the ]<sup>2</sup> | |||
| |established_date2 = 1877/1878 | |||
| |established_event3 = ]<sup>3</sup> | |||
| |established_date3 = December 1, 1918 | |||
| |accessionEUdate = January 1, 2007 | |||
| |currency = ]<sup>4</sup> | |||
| |currency_code = RON | |||
| |time_zone = ] | |||
| |utc_offset = +2 | |||
| |time_zone_DST = ] | |||
| |utc_offset_DST = +3 | |||
| |drives_on = right | |||
| |cctld = ]<sup>5</sup> | |||
| |calling_code = ] | |||
| |footnotes = <sup>1</sup> The Little Union refers to the double election of ] in ] and ] (January 5, respectively January 24, 1859).<br /><sup>2</sup> Independence proclaimed on May 9, 1877, internationally recognized in 1878.<br/><sup>3</sup> The Great Union was the union of Romania with ], ] and ] in 1918 and the creation of ].<br/><sup>4</sup> The ] was redenominated on July 1, 2005. As of that date 10,000 (old) lei (ROL) = 1 (new) leu (RON).<br /><sup>5</sup> The ] domain is also used, as in other ] member states. | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Romania''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Romania.ogg|r|oʊ|ˈ|m|eɪ|n|i|ə}} {{respell|roh|MAY|nee-ə}}; dated: ''Roumania''<!-- Do not remove, as this was added through consensus, discussion, and a poll done from 10-17 January 2008. Please see talk page archives for details -->;<ref>Cf. French ''Roumanie''.</ref> or ''Rumania'';<ref></ref><ref></ref> {{lang-ro|România}} {{IPA-ro|romɨˈni.a||Ro-România.ogg}}) is a country located at the crossroads of ] and ], on the Lower ], within and outside the ], bordering on the ].<ref>{{cite report|url= http://www.nato.int/invitees2004/romania/glance.htm|title=North Atlantic Treaty Organization|publisher=NATO|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> Romania shares a border with ] and ] to the west, ] and ] to the northeast and east, and ] to the south. | |||
| At {{convert|238,400|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}, Romania is the ] of the ] by area, and has the ] of the European Union with aprox. 20 million people<ref>http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/alte/2012/Comunicat%20DATE%20PROVIZORII%20RPL%202011.pdf</ref> Its capital and largest city is ], the ] with about two million people. | |||
| The ] emerged when the principalities of ] and ] were united under Prince ] in 1859. Independence from the ] was ] on May 9, 1877, and was internationally ] the following year. At the end of ], ], ] and ] united with the Kingdom of Romania. ] emerged into an era of progression and prosperity that would continue until ]. By the end of the War, many north-eastern areas of Romania's territories were occupied by the ], and Romania forcibly became a ] and a member of the ]. | |||
| With the fall of the ] and the ], Romania began its transition towards ] and a capitalist ]. After a decade of post-revolution economic problems, extensive reforms fostered economic recovery making Romania now an upper middle-income country with high ].<ref>. Hdr.undp.org. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> | |||
| Romania joined ] on March 29, 2004, ] on January 1, 2007 and is also a member of the ], of the ], of the ], of the ], of the ] and of the ]. Today, Romania is a ] ], in which the executive branch consists of the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Tony Verheijen |url=http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/oso/public/content/politicalscience/9780198293866/acprof-9780198293866-chapter-10.html |title=Oxford Scholarship Online: Semi-Presidentialism in Europe |publisher=Oxfordscholarship.com |date=1990-03-14 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ==Etymology==<!--linked--> | |||
| {{Main|Name of Romania}} | |||
| ] from 1521, the oldest surviving document written in ], including the oldest appearance of the word "''Rumanian''"]] | |||
| The name of Romania, ''România'', comes from ''român'' (previously ''rumân''), "Romanian", which in turn is a derivative of the Latin ''romanus'', meaning ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dexonline.ro/search.php?cuv=rom%C3%A2n |title=Explanatory Dictionary of the Romanian Language, 1998; New Explanatory Dictionary of the Romanian Language, 2002 |publisher=Dexonline.ro |date= |accessdate=2010-09-25}} {{ro icon}}</ref> The fact that ] call themselves a derivative of ''romanus'' is first mentioned in the 16th century by ] ] travelling in ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book|quote="nunc se Romanos vocant"|author=Andréas Verres|title=Acta et Epistolae|volume=I|page=243}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|quote="...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,..."|author=Cl. Isopescu|title=Notizie intorno ai romeni nella letteratura geografica italiana del Cinquecento|journal=Bulletin de la Section Historique|volume=XVI|year=1929|pages=1–90}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|quote=“Anzi essi si chiamano romanesci, e vogliono molti che erano mandati quì quei che erano dannati a cavar metalli...”|author=Maria Holban|title=Călători străini despre Țările Române|language=Romanian|publisher=Ed. Științifică și Enciclopedică|year=1983|volume=II|pages=158–161}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|quote="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 ... "|title=Voyage fait par moy, Pierre Lescalopier l’an 1574 de Venise a Constantinople, fol 48|author=Paul Cernovodeanu|journal=Studii și materiale de istorie medievală|volume=IV|year=1960|page=444|language=Romanian}}</ref> | |||
| The first written record of a Romance language spoken in the Middle Ages in the Balkans was written by the Byzantine chronicler ] in the 6th century about a military expedition against the ] from 587, when a ] muleteer accompanying the Byzantine army noticed that the load was falling from one of the animals and shouted to a companion ''Torna, torna fratre'' ("Return, return brother!"). | |||
| The oldest surviving document written in ] is a 1521 letter known as the "]".<ref>Ion Rotaru, ''Literatura română veche'', , București, 1981, pp. 62–65 {{en icon}}</ref> Among other firsts, this text is also notable for having the first documented occurrence of a Romanian word denoting the country's name: ] is mentioned under the name of ''Țeara Rumânească'' ("The Romanian Land", ''țeara'' from the ], "land"; current spelling: ''Țara Românească''). | |||
| In the following centuries, Romanian documents use interchangeably two spelling forms: ''român'' and ''rumân''.<ref group=note>''"am scris aceste sfente cǎrți de învățături, sǎ fie popilor rumânesti... sǎ înțeleagǎ toți oamenii cine-s rumâni creștini"'' "Întrebare creștineascǎ" (1559), Bibliografia româneascǎ veche, IV, 1944, p. 6. <br />''"...că văzum cum toate limbile au și 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 cărți ale lui Moisi prorocul si patru cărți și le dăruim voo frați rumâni și le-au scris în cheltuială multǎ... și le-au dăruit voo fraților români,... și le-au scris voo fraților români"'' Palia de la Orǎștie (1581–1582), București, 1968. <br />''În Țara Ardealului nu lăcuiesc numai unguri, ce și sași peste seamă de mulți și români peste tot locul...'', Grigore Ureche, Letopisețul Țării 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 the lower classes, received the meaning of "]", while the form ''român'' kept an ethno-linguistic meaning.<ref>{{Cite book|last = Brezeanu|first = Stelian|title =Romanitatea Orientalǎ în Evul Mediu|publisher =Editura All Educational|year=1999|location =Bucharest|pages =229–246 }}</ref> After the abolition of ] in 1746, the form ''rumân'' gradually disappears and the spelling definitively stabilises to the form ''român'', ''românesc''.<ref group=note>In his well known literary testament ] writes: "Urmașilor mei Văcărești!/Las vouă moștenire:/Creșterea limbei românești/Ș-a patriei cinstire." <br />In the ''"Istoria faptelor lui Mavroghene-Vodă și a răzmeriței din timpul lui pe la 1790"'' a Pitar Hristache writes: "Încep după-a mea ideie/Cu vreo câteva condeie/Povestea mavroghenească/Dela Țara Românească.</ref> ], a revolutionary leader of the early 19th century, used the term ''Rumânia'' to refer exclusively to the principality of Wallachia, the southern part of modern Romania.<ref>Goina, Călin. ''How the State Shaped the Nation: an Essay on the Making of the Romanian Nation'' in Regio – Minorities, Politics, Society. ]. No 1/2005. p. 157</ref> | |||
| The name ''România'' as common homeland of all Romanians is documented in the early 19th century.<ref group=note>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 morți a înviat/Așa tu România din somn ai deșteptat."</ref> This name has been officially in use since 11 December 1861.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fotw.net/flags/ro-wm.html|title=Wallachia and Moldavia, 1859–61|accessdate=2008-01-05}}</ref> English-language sources still used the terms ''Rumania'' or ''Roumania'', borrowed from the French spelling ''Roumanie'', as recently as ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/s_approaches_1942-1945.jpg|title=Map of Southern Europe, 1942–1945|publisher=] via the ] Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> but since then those terms have largely been replaced with the official spelling ''Romania''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdep.ro/pls/dic/site.page?den=act2_2&par1=1#t1c0s0a1|title=General principles|publisher=cdep.ro|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{Main|History of Romania}} | |||
| === Prehistory === | |||
| {{Main|Prehistoric Romania|Cucuteni culture|Hamangia culture}} | |||
| ] zoomorphic representation, with meticulous decorations]] | |||
| Some 42,000-year-old human remains were discovered in the "]", and being Europe’s oldest remains of '']'', they may represent the first modern humans to have entered the continent.<ref> | |||
| {{Cite journal|last=Zilhão|first=João|title=Neanderthals and Moderns Mixed and It Matters|journal=Evolutionary Anthropology|volume =15|pages=183–195|year=2006|doi=10.1002/evan.20110|issue=5}}</ref> | |||
| Among the oldest traces of human existence and activity found in Romania include those dating from the ]. These remains were found at ] (]), ] (]) or ] (]), belonging to some of the more distant human ancestors. According to studies of historical anthropology, these ] used carved stone tools, were gatherers, fishermen and hunters, lived organized in bands and were sheltered in caves and hollows. | |||
| The first manifestations of prehistoric art on current Romanian territory are the cave drawings from ] (]) and ] (]). Statues, such as those from ] (]) for example, are representations of male and female deities, expressions of the cult of ] predominantly in the ]. | |||
| The Neolithic Age ] area in Northeast Romania was the Western region of the earliest European civilization<ref>{{ cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/science/01arch.html?pagewanted=all |title=A Lost European Culture, Pulled From Obscurity|author=John Noble Wilford|publisher=The New York Times (November 30, 2009)}}</ref><ref>{{ cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Lost-World-Old-Europe-5000-3500/dp/0691143889/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316136151&sr=1-1 |title=The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley, 5000-3500 BC|author=David W. Anthony, Jennifer Y. Chi|publisher=Princeton University Press (November 9, 2009)}}</ref> known as the ]. | |||
| === Antiquity === | |||
| {{Main|Ancient history of Romania|Getae|Dacians|Dacia|Roman Dacia}} | |||
| ]'s annexation of ] in 106 set the stage for the ] of modern Romanians]] | |||
| ] - a full gold ] helmet dating from the first half of the ], currently at the ]]] | |||
| The earliest written evidence of people living in the territory of the present-day Romania, the ], comes from ], in his '']'' book IV (c. 440 BC).<ref>{{Cite book|last =Herodotus|author-link =Herodotus|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/?id=sfHsgNIZum0C&pg=PA215&lpg=PA215&dq=herodotus+dacians+darius|accessdate=2008-01-10|trans_title = William Beloe|isbn =0195219740}}</ref> Territories located north of the ] were inhabited by ], including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] and other peoples. Dacians, like the majority of Thracians, were ], the main deities being: ], ], ], ] and ]. ], considered a part of the ] tribes mentioned by Herodotus, were a branch of ] who inhabited ] (corresponding mostly to present-day Romania). He describes the Getae as "the most brave and honest amongst all Thracians". The ] reached its peak between 82–44 BC during the reign of ]. | |||
| Over the next century, relations between the Dacian tribes and Rome were relatively peaceful, however the ascent to the throne of Rome of emperor ] (81 AD) damaged relations between the ] and Dacia. He ] in the region between 87–88 AD at ]. Roman incursions continued in 101–102 AD and 105–106 AD under ], who successfully defeated ] and annexed its south western parts to the vast ]. The Dacian population subsequently underwent the ethno-linguistic process of ] and the conquered parts ]. | |||
| Due to ] (especially gold and silver),<ref>{{cite web|title=Dacia-Province of the Roman Empire|publisher =United Nations of Roma Victor|url =http://www.unrv.com/provinces/dacia.php|quote="and were found in great quantities in the ]. After Trajan's conquest, he brought back to Rome over 165 tons of gold and 330 tons of silver"|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Rome brought ] from all over the empire.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Deletant|first=Dennis|title=Colloquial Romanian|publisher=Routledge|year=1995|location=New York|page =1|isbn=9780415129008}}</ref> This introduced ] and started a period of intense ] that would give birth to the ].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Matley|first=Ian| title=Romania; a Profile |publisher=Praeger|year=1970|page=85}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Giurescu|first=Constantin C.|title=The Making of the Romanian People and Language|publisher=Meridiane Publishing House|year=1972|location=Bucharest|pages=43, 98–101, 141}}</ref> | |||
| During the ], with the ], the Roman Empire was forced to pull out of Dacia around 271 AD, making it the first province to be abandoned.<ref>{{Cite book|last =Eutropius|authorlink=Eutropius (historian)|coauthors=Justin, Cornelius Nepos|title=Eutropius, Abridgment of Roman History|publisher=George Bell and Sons|year=1886|location=London|url=http://www.ccel.org/p/pearse/morefathers/eutropius_breviarium_2_text.htm|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|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 AD., 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"|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| After the Roman army and administration left Dacia, the territory was invaded by various ] including ],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jordanes|authorlink=Jordanes|title = Getica, sive, De Origine Actibusque Gothorum|year =551 AD.|location =Constantinople|url=http://www.harbornet.com/folks/theedrich/Goths/Goths1.htm|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Iliescu| first=Vl.|last2=Paschale| first2=Chronicon| title=Fontes Historiae Daco-Romanae|volume=II|pages=363, 587|place=București|year=1970}}</ref> ],<ref name=gepids/> ],<ref>{{cite web|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, Columbia University Press| location = New York| year = 2001| url =http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/41.html|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> ],<ref name=gepids>{{Cite book|last=Teodor|first=Dan Gh.|title=Istoria României de la începuturi până în secolul al VIII-lea|year =1995|location =București|pages=294–325 |volume=2}}</ref> ],<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|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite book|last =Xenopol|first =Alexandru D.|title =Histoire des Roumains|place=Paris|year =1896|volume =i|page=168}}</ref> Several competing theories have been generated to explain the ]. Linguistic and geo-historical analysis tend to indicate that ] have coalesced as a major ethnic group both South and North of the ] in the regions previously colonized by ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ghyka|first=Matila |title=A Documented Chronology of Roumanian History|location=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=2008-08-31|archivedate=2007-01-25}}</ref> | |||
| ===Middle Ages=== | |||
| {{Main|Romania in the Early Middle Ages|Romania in the Middle Ages}} | |||
| ] was built in 1212, and became commonly known as ''Dracula's Castle'' after the myths of being home of ].]] | |||
| '']'', also known as the ''Chronicle of Anonymus'', mentioned the existence of three voivodeships in ] in the 9th century: the Voivodeship of ], the Voivodeship of ] (originally from ], then inhabited by ]{{citation needed|date=August 2011}}) and the Voivodeship of ]. The anonymous author describes the first as ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/22312181/CRONICA-NOTARULUI-ANONYMUS |title=''Gesta Hungarorum'', the chronicle of Bele Regis Notarius |publisher=Scribd.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> Another voivodeship, ruled by ], was mentioned in the 11th century. It was mentioned as being large and prosperous (''"Jatissimum et opulentisimum"'').{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} It is known to have included the strongholds of Dăbâca, Morești (on the ]), Moigrad and Bălgrad (near ]). Gyula was described as being an ], therefore he was very probably either Romanian or ]. A 1176 Slavonic inscription attests the existence of a ] Dimitri that ruled over ] in 943. In the ], Byzantine princess ] mentioned the political entities led by ], ] and ], all in Southern Dobrogea, in 1086.<ref>Ovidiu Drimba – History of Romanian culture and civilization, Scientific and Pedagogic Publishing House, ], 1987, volume 2, page 404</ref> | |||
| In the ], Romanians lived in three distinct ]: ] ({{lang-ro|Țara Românească}} – "Romanian Land"), ] ({{lang-ro|Moldova}}) and ] ({{lang-ro|Transilvania}}). By the 11th century, Transylvania became a largely autonomous part of the ],<ref>{{cite web|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, Columbia University Press|location = New York|year = 2001|url = http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/57.html|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> and became independent as the ] from the 16th century,<ref>{{cite web|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, Columbia University Press|location = New York|year = 2001|url=http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/97.html|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> until 1711.<ref>{{Cite book|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|place = New York|year = 2001|url=http://mek.oszk.hu/03400/03407/html/221.html|accessdate=2008-08-31|contribution = Columbia University Press}}</ref> In ] and ] many small local states with varying degrees of independence developed, but only in the 14th century did the larger principalities of Wallachia (1310) and Moldavia (around 1352) emerge to fight the threat of the ]. Both territories inhabited by Romanians have achieved the ] from the Hungarian Crown after military conflicts (], 1330) or social conflicts (], 1364), these historical events being initiated by ] (1310–1352) and ] (1359–1365).<ref>{{Cite book|last =Ștefănescu|first =Ștefan |title =Istoria medie a României|year =1991|location =Bucharest|volume =I|page=114}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last =Predescu|first =Lucian |title =Enciclopedia Cugetarea|year =1940}}</ref> | |||
| ], ] and ] were briefly united under the rule of ] on July 6, 1600, after the battles of ] (1599) and ] (1600).]] | |||
| By 1541, the entire ] and most of ] became Ottoman provinces. Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania were under Ottoman ], preserving partial-full internal autonomy until middle of the 19th century (Transylvania to 1699). During this period the Romanian lands were characterised by the slow disappearance of the ] system. A few rulers of present-day Romanian territories distinguished themselves: these rulers include ], ], and ] in Moldavia; ], ], and ] in Wallachia; and ] (''Ioannes Corvinus'') and ] in ].<ref name="cumans">{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780511110153&ss=fro|title=Cumans and Tatars|last=István|first=Vásáry|publisher=cambridge.org|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> | |||
| In 1600, the principalities of Wallachia, Moldova and Transylvania were simultaneously headed by the ] ] (''Mihai Viteazul''), ] of ], but the chance for a unity dissolved after Mihai was killed, only one year later, by the soldiers of ] army general ]. After his death, as vassal tributary states, ] and ] had complete internal autonomy and external independence, which was finally lost in the 18th century. In 1699, Transylvania became a territory of the ] Austrian empire following the Austrian victory over the Turks in the ]. The Habsburgs in turn expanded their empire in 1718 to include an important part of Wallachia, called ] (which was only returned in 1739) and in 1775 over the north-western part of Moldavia, later called ]. The eastern half of the Moldavian principality (called ]) was occupied in 1812 by Russia.<ref name="cumans"/> | |||
| ] | |||
| ===Independence and monarchy=== | |||
| {{Main|Early Modern Romania|National awakening of Romania|Romanian Principalities|Romanian War of Independence|Kingdom of Romania}} | |||
| During the period of ] rule in ] and Ottoman suzerainty over ] and ], most ] were in the situation of being ] or even non-citizens<ref>{{cite web|publisher =GenealogyRO Group|title =The Magyarization Process|url= http://www.genealogy.ro/cont/13.htm |accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> in a territory where they formed the majority of the population.<ref>{{Cite book|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|archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20080222171134/http://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/hmcb/Tab14.htm|archivedate =2008-02-22|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kocsis |first =Karoly|last2 =Kocsis-Hodosi |first2 =Eszter|title =Ethnic Geography of the Hungarian Minorities in the Carpathian Basin|year =2001|page =102|publisher =Simon Publications|isbn =193131375X}}</ref> In some Transylvanian cities, such as ] (at that time a ] citadel), Romanians were not even allowed to reside within the city walls.<ref>{{Cite book|last =Prodan|first =David |title =Supplex Libellus Valachorum= Or, The Politicle Struggle of Romanians in Transylvania During the 18th Century|publisher=Academy of Social Republic of Romania|year =1971|location =Bucharest}}</ref> | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Following the ], more uprisings followed in 1848 in ] as well as ]. The flag adopted for Wallachia by the revolutionaries was a blue-yellow-red tricolour (with blue above, in line with the meaning “Liberty, Justice, Fraternity”),<ref>Gazeta de Transilvania, year XI, no. 34 of 26 April 1848, p. 140.</ref> while Romanian students in ] hailed the new government with the same flag “as a symbol of union between Moldavians and ]ns”.<ref>Dogaru (1978), p. 862.</ref><ref name="Căzănișteanu 1967, p. 36">Căzănișteanu (1967), p. 36.</ref> This flag would later become the adopted as the ]. But after the failed ], the ] did not support the Romanians' expressed desire to officially unite in a single state, which forced Romania to proceed alone against the ]. The electors in both ] and ] chose in 1859 the same person –]– as ] ('']'' in ]).<ref>{{Cite book|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 ], albeit without including Transylvania. There, the upper class and the aristocracy remained mainly Hungarian and enjoyed strong support from Austria, and the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian ] in 1867 kept the Hungarians firmly in control as the Romanians were by far the most numerous ethnic Transylvanian group and constituted the absolute majority. | |||
| In a 1866 ''coup d'état'', ] was exiled and replaced by Prince Karl of ], who became known as ]. During the ] Romania fought on the Russian side,<ref>{{cite web|language=Russian|title =San Stefano Preliminary Treaty|year =1878|url =http://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/FOREIGN/stefano.htm|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> and in the ] and the ], Romania was recognized as an ] state by the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite book|work=Internet Modern History Sourcebook|title=The Treaty of Berlin, 1878 – Excerpts on the Balkans|date=13 July 1878|place=Berlin|url =http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1878berlin.html|accessdate=2008-08-31|publisher=Fordham University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last =Patterson|first =Michelle|title =The Road to Romanian Independence|journal =Canadian Journal of History|month=August|year=1996|url =http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3686/is_199608/ai_n8755098|accessdate=2008-08-31|format = – <sup></sup> |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080324063246/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3686/is_199608/ai_n8755098 |archivedate = 24 March 2008}}</ref> In return, Romania ceded three southern districts of ] to Russia and acquired ]. In 1881, the ] was raised to a ] and Prince Carol became ] ].{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} | |||
| The 1878–1914 period was one of ] for Romania. During the ], Romania joined ], ], ] and ] against ], and in the peace ] Romania gained ].<ref>{{Cite book|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=== | |||
| {{Main|Romania during World War I|Greater Romania|Romania in World War II}} | |||
| In August 1914, when ] broke out, Romania declared ]. Two years later, under pressure from the Allies (especially France, desperate to open a new front), on 27 August 1916, Romania joined the Allies, declaring war on ]. For this action, under the terms of the ], Romania was promised support for its goal of national unity for all Romanian people.<ref>{{cite web|last =Horne|first =Charles F.|year =Horne|title =Ion Bratianu's Declaration of War Delivered to the Austrian Minister in Romania on August 28, 1916|volume =V|publisher =Source Records of the Great War|url=http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/romaniawardeclaration.htm|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| ] and ] leader ] at a skiing event in 1935]] | |||
| ] tanks entering ] in 1941.]] | |||
| The ] ended in disaster for Romania as the ] conquered two-thirds of the country and defeated its ] within months. Nevertheless, ] remained in Romanian hands after the invading forces were stopped in 1917. Total ] from 1914 to 1918, military and civilian, within contemporary borders, were estimated at 748,000.<ref>{{Cite book | |||
| |title=Poteri narodonaseleniia v XX veke : spravochnik | |||
| |last=Erlikman | |||
| |first=Vadim | |||
| |authorlink= | |||
| |coauthors= | |||
| |year= 2004 | |||
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| |location= Moscow | |||
| |isbn= 5-93165-107-1 | |||
| }}</ref> By the war's end, Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire had collapsed and disintegrated; ], ] and ] proclaimed unions with the ] in 1918. By the 1920 ], ] was forced to renounce in favour of Romania all the claims of the ] over ].<ref>{{cite web|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=2008-08-31}}</ref> The union of Romania with ] was ratified in 1919 in the ],<ref>{{Cite book|title=Europe Since 1945: An Encyclopedia|author=Bernard Anthony Cook|page=162|isbn=0815340575|year=2001|publisher=Taylor&Francis|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> and with ] in 1920 by the ].<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.2307/2192802|title=The Legal Status of the Bukovina and Bessarabia|author=Malbone W. Graham|journal=The American Journal of International Law|month=October | year=1944|volume=38|issue=4|pages=667–673|publisher=American Society of International Law|jstor=2192802}}</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. Romania achieved at that time its greatest territorial extent (almost {{convert|300000|km2|sqmi|disp=s|abbr=on}}),<ref name="mare rom">{{cite web|url=http://media.ici.ro/history/ist08.htm|language=Romanian|title=Statul National Unitar (România Mare 1919–1940)|publisher=ici.ro|accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080612075330/http://media.ici.ro/history/ist08.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-06-12}}</ref> managing to unite essentially all of the territories inhabited by Romanians.<ref name="mare rom"/> | |||
| During the Second World War, Romania tried again to remain neutral, but on 28 June 1940, it received a ] with an implied threat of ] in the event of non-compliance.<ref name="ultimatum">{{Cite book|url=http://www.unibuc.ro/eBooks/istorie/istorie1918-1940/13-4.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071113170140/http://www.unibuc.ro/eBooks/istorie/istorie1918-1940/13-4.htm| archivedate=2007-11-13|title=Istoria Românilor între anii 1918–1940|author= Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu|language=Romanian|publisher=University of Bucharest|year=2002}}</ref> Under Nazi and Soviet pressure, the Romanian administration and the army were forced to retreat from ] as well from northern Bukovina to avoid war.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nagy-Talavera|first=Nicolas M.|title=Green Shirts and Others: a History of Fascism in Hungary and Romania|publisher=Hoover Institution Press|year=1970|page=305|isbn=9739432115}}</ref> This, in combination with other factors, prompted the government to join the ]. Thereafter, southern ] was ceded to Bulgaria, while Hungary received ] as result of an Axis arbitration.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=M. Broszat|language=German|title=Deutschland – Ungarn – Rumänien. Entwicklung und Grundfaktoren nationalsozialistischer Hegemonial- und Bündnispolitik 1938–1941|journal=]|issue=206|year=1968|pages=552–553}}</ref> The authoritarian ] ] in 1940, and 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.2worldwar2.com/mistakes.htm#ploesti|title=The Biggest Mistakes In World War 2:Ploesti – the most important target|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> which attracted ] by the ]. By means of the ], Romania recovered Bessarabia and northern Bukovina from Soviet Russia, under the leadership of general ]. The Antonescu regime played a major role in the ],<ref>''Note: follow the World War II link'': | |||
| {{cite report|editor=Ronald D. Bachman|title=Romania:World War II|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|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> following to a lesser extent the ] policy of oppression and massacre of the ]s, and ], primarily in the Eastern territories Romania recovered or occupied from the Soviet Union (]) and in ].<ref>{{cite web|quote=no country, besides Germany, was involved in massacres of Jews on such a scale.|author=Raul Hilberg|publisher=International Commission on the Holocaust in Romania|title=Executive Summary: Historical Findings and Recommendations|coauthors=Yad Vashem|year=2004|url=http://www1.yadvashem.org/yv/en/about/events/pdf/report/english/EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-31|authorlink=Raul Hilberg}}</ref> ] holocaust victims totaled at least 280,000 and 11,000 ] victims.<ref>http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/study-more-than-280-000-jews-killed-in-romania-in-wwii-1.140033</ref> | |||
| In August 1944, Antonescu was toppled and arrested by King ] and Romania changed sides and joined the ]. But its role in the defeat of ] was not recognized by the ] of 1947;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/5/38D4D252-BE7E-4943-A6A9-4E3C1B32A05F.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070930033400/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/5/38D4D252-BE7E-4943-A6A9-4E3C1B32A05F.html|archivedate=2007-09-30|title=World War II – 60 Years After: Former Romanian Monarch Remembers Decision To Switch Sides|author=Eugen Tomiuc|date=6 May 2005|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> the Romanian Army had suffered 170,000 casualties after switching sides.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Michael Clodfelter|title=Warfare and Armed Conflicts- A Statistical Reference to Casualty and Other Figures, 1500–2000|edition=2|year=2002|page=582|isbn=0-7864-1204-6|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, NC}}</ref> | |||
| ===Communism=== | |||
| {{Main|Communist Romania}} | |||
| During the ], the ]-dominated government called ], which were won with 80% of the vote.<ref>Giurescu, "«Alegeri» după model sovietic", p.17 (citing Berry), 18 (citing Berry and note); Macuc, p.40; Tismăneanu, p.113</ref> They thus rapidly established themselves as the dominant political force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/rotoc.html#ro0037|publisher=Federal research Division, Library of Congress|title=Romania: Country studies – Chapter 1.7.1 "Petru Groza's Premiership"|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> In 1947, the ] forced ] to abdicate and leave the country, and proclaimed Romania a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ro.html|publisher=CIA – The World Factbook|title=Romania|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ed-u.com/ro.html|title=Romania – Country Background and Profile|publisher=ed-u.com|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> Romania remained under the direct ] and ] of the ] until the late 1950s. During this period, Romania's vast natural resources were continuously drained by mixed Soviet-Romanian companies (]) set up for exploitative purposes.<ref>{{cite web|first=Carmen|last=Rîjnoveanu|title=Romania's Policy of Autonomy in the Context of the Sino-Soviet Conflict|year=2003|page=1|publisher=Czech Republic Military History Institute, Militärgeschichtliches Forscheungamt|url= http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/07autredossiers/groupetravailhistoiremilitaire/pdfs/2003-gthm.pdf|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080624195137/http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/07autredossiers/groupetravailhistoiremilitaire/pdfs/2003-gthm.pdf|archivedate= 2008-06-24|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Roper|first=Stephen D.|title=Romania: The Unfinished Revolution|place=London|publisher=Routledge|year=2000|isbn=9058230279|page=18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|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> | |||
| In 1948, the state began to ] private firms, and to ] agriculture the following year.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Stan Stoica|title=Dicționar de Istorie a României|publisher=Editura Merona|location=Bucharest|year=2007 |pages= 77–78; 233–34|language=Romanian|isbn=9737839218}}</ref> From the late 1940s to the early 1960s, the ] government established a reign of terror, carried out mainly through the ] (the new secret police). During this time they launched several campaigns to eliminate "]", in which numerous individuals were killed or imprisoned for political or economic reasons.<ref>{{Cite book|last =Caraza|first =Grigore|title =Aiud însângerat|publisher =Editura Vremea XXI|year=2004|volume=Chapter IV|isbn=9736450503|language=Romanian}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> Punishment included deportation, internal exile, and internment in forced labour camps and prisons; dissent was vigorously suppressed. A notorious experiment in this period took place in the ], where a group of political opponents were put into a program of reeducation through torture. Historical records show hundreds of thousands of abuses, deaths and incidents of torture against a wide range of people, from political opponents to ordinary citizens.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Cicerone Ionițoiu|title=Victimele terorii comuniste. Arestați, torturați, întemnițați, uciși. Dicționar|publisher=Editura Mașina de scris|location=Bucharest|year=2000 |isbn= 973-99994-2-5|language=Romanian}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> Nevertheless, ] was one of the longest-lasting in the Eastern Bloc.<ref>Consiliul National pentru Studierea Ahivelor Securității, ''Bande, bandiți si eroi. Grupurile de rezistență și Securitatea (1948–1968)'', Editura Enciclopedica, București, 2003</ref> | |||
| ] condemning the ] in front of a crowd in 1968. Romania was the only ] nation that refused to participate in the invasion.]] | |||
| In 1965, ] came to power and started to pursue independent policies, such as being the only ] country to condemn the Soviet-led 1968 invasion of ], maintaining diplomatic relations with ] after the ] of 1967 and establishing diplomatic relations with ] the same year, economic links having been set up in 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/romania/75.htm|publisher=Country Studies.us|title=Romania: Soviet Union and Eastern Europe|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> Also, close ties with the ] countries (and the ]) allowed Romania to play a key role in the ]–] and Israel–] peace processes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/romania/80.htm|publisher=Country Studies.us| title=Middle East policies in Communist Romania|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> But as Romania's foreign debt sharply increased between 1977 and 1981 (from 3 to 10 billion US dollars),<ref>{{cite web|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/sites/default/files/ACF368.pdf}}</ref> the influence of international financial organisations such as the ] or the ] grew, conflicting with Nicolae Ceaușescu's ] policies. He eventually initiated a project of total reimbursement of the foreign debt by imposing policies that impoverished Romanians and exhausted the Romanian economy, while also greatly extending the authority of the ], and imposing a ]. Although these led to a dramatic decrease in Ceaușescu's popularity and culminated in his overthrow and execution in the bloody ], by that time Romania's foreign debt was almost completely paid-off. | |||
| A 2006 ] estimated that the number of direct victims{{Clarify|date=February 2011}} of communist repression at two million people. This number does not include people who died in liberty as a result of their treatment in communist prisons, nor does it include people who died because of the dire economic circumstances in which the country found itself.<ref>{{cite report|title=Recensământul populației concentraționare din România în anii 1945–1989|publisher=Centrul Internațional de Studii asupra Comunismului|location=Sighet|year=2004|language=Romanian}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Raportul Comisiei Prezidențiale pentru Analiza Dictaturii Comuniste din România|publisher=Comisia Prezidențială pentru Analiza Dictaturii Comuniste din România|date=2006-12-15|pages=215–217}}</ref> | |||
| ===Present-day democracy=== | |||
| {{Main|History of Romania since 1989|2007 enlargement of the European Union}} | |||
| ] with its ] cut out became a symbol of the ] and is still used occasionally in anti-government protests.]] | |||
| After the revolution, the ] (NSF), 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 |format=PDF|quote= "This seven-year period can be characterized as a gradualistic, often ambiguous transition away from communist rule towards democracy."|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| last=Hellman| first=Joel| title= Winners Take All: The Politics of Partial Reform in Postcommunist| journal=Transitions World Politics|volume=50|issue=2|month=January|year=1998|pages=203–234}}</ref> Several major political parties of the pre-war era were resurrected. After major political rallies, in April 1990, a sit-in protest contesting the results of the recently held parliamentary elections began in ], accusing the NSF of being made up of former Communists and members of the ]. The protesters called the election undemocratic and asked for the exclusion from political life of former high-ranking Communist Party members, such as Iliescu himself. The protest rapidly grew to become what president Iliescu called the ]. The peaceful demonstrations degenerated into violence, prompting the intervention of coal miners, summoned by Iliescu in June 1990, from the ]. This episode has been documented widely by both local<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mineriade.iiccr.ro/vocile_presei/presa_interna/ |title=Institutul de Investigare a Crimelor Comunismului si Memoria Exilului Romanesc |publisher=Mineriade.iiccr.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> and foreign media,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mineriade.iiccr.ro/vocile_presei/presa_internationala/ |title=Institutul de Investigare a Crimelor Comunismului si Memoria Exilului Romanesc |publisher=Mineriade.iiccr.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> and is remembered as the ].<ref>{{Cite news| 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"|accessdate=2008-08-31|work=The New York Times|date=1990-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mineriade.iiccr.ro/cronologie_evenimente/1990/ |title=Institutul de Investigare a Crimelor Comunismului si Memoria Exilului Romanesc |publisher=Mineriade.iiccr.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> | |||
| The subsequent disintegration of the Front produced several political parties including the ], the ] and the ]. The former governed Romania from 1990 until 1996 through several coalitions and governments with Ion Iliescu as head of state. Since then there have been several 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 Iliescu once again president; and in 2004 ] was elected president, with an electoral coalition called ]. Băsescu was narrowly re-elected in 2009.<ref>. HotNews.ro. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> | |||
| ].]] | |||
| Post–] Romania developed closer ties with ], eventually joining ] in 2004, and hosting the ] in Bucharest.<ref>{{Cite news|title =NATO update: NATO welcomes seven new members|url =http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2004/04-april/e0402a.htm|publisher=NATO|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> The country applied in June 1993 for membership in the ] and became an Associated State of the EU in 1995, an Acceding Country in 2004, and a member on 1 January 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|title=EU approves Bulgaria and Romania|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5380024.stm|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-08-31|date=2006-09-26}}</ref> Following the free travel agreement and politics of the post–Cold War period, as well as hardship of the life in the 1990s economic depression, Romania has an increasingly large ], estimated at over 2 million people. The main emigration targets are Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.<ref name=diaspora>{{cite web|url= http://www.focus-migration.de/index.php?id=2515&L=1| title=Romania|accessdate=2008-08-28| publisher= focus-migration.de}}</ref> | |||
| During the 2000s (decade), Romania enjoyed one of the highest economic growth rates in Europe and has been referred to as "the Tiger of Eastern Europe."<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/romania-tigrul-estului/354061 |title=Adevarul |publisher=Adevarul.ro |date= |accessdate=2010-09-25}}</ref> This has been accompanied by a significant improvement in human development.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">. Hdrstats.undp.org. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> The country has been successful in reducing internal poverty and establishing a functional democracy.<ref>. MDG Monitor. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> However, Romania's development suffered a major setback during the ] as a large ] contraction and a large budget deficit in 2009 led to Romania borrowing heavily,<ref name=wsj4dec09>{{Cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125988241065975639.html|newspaper=]|title=Romania Faces Crucial Vote|date=4 December 2009|author=Joe Parkinson}}</ref> eventually becoming the largest debtor to the ] in 2010.<ref>, ] (10 August 2010)</ref> Romania still faces issues related to infrastructure,<ref>. Romania Central. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> medical services,<ref>{{dead link|date=March 2011}}. Denisamorariu.wordpress.com (2010-01-08). Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> education,<ref>. citynews.ro. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> and corruption.<ref>. Inwent.org. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> | |||
| ==Geography== | |||
| {{Main|Geography of Romania}} | |||
| ] | |||
| With a surface area of {{convert|238391|km2|sqmi|}}, Romania is the largest country in ] and the ] in Europe.<ref name="statistical">{{cite web|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap1.pdf|title=Geography, Meteorology and Environment|year=2004|publisher=Romanian Statistical Yearbook|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> It lies between latitudes ] and ], and longitudes ] and ]. | |||
| Romania's terrain is distributed roughly equally between mountainous, hilly and lowland territories. The ] dominate the centre of Romania, with ] reaching above {{convert|2000|m|ft|disp=s|abbr=on}}, and the highest point at ] ({{convert|2544|m|ft|disp=s|abbr=on}}).<ref name="statistical"/> These are surrounded by the ] and ] plateaus and ] and ] plains. Romania's geographical diversity has led to an accompanying diversity of flora and fauna.<ref name="statistical"/> | |||
| A large part of Romania's border with ] and ] is formed by the ]. The ], one of its major ], forms the border with the ].<ref name="statistical"/> The Danube flows into the ] within Romania's territory forming the ], the second largest and best preserved delta in Europe, and also a ] and a biodiversity ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588|title=Danube Delta|publisher=UNESCO's World Heritage Centre|accessdate=2008-01-09}}</ref> Other major rivers are the ] (596 km), the ] (614 km), the ] (742 km), the ] (388 km), and the ] (761 km).<ref name="statistical"/> | |||
| ]s and lake complexes have a low share throughout Romania, occupying only 1.1% of total land area. The largest lake complex in size is ] (731 km²), located on the Black Sea ]. ]s exist in the ], a result of ], of which the largest are: ] (14,700 m²), ] (46,500 m²), ] (18,000 m²), etc. Other notable lakes are ], the only ] in Romania, and ], a natural dam lake, both situated in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inromania.info/lacuri-romania.html |title=Lacuri Romania, Sfanta Ana, Lacul Rosu, Balea Lac: Lacuri Romania |publisher=Inromania.info |date=2010-07-29 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| === 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 {{convert|11|°C}} in the south and {{convert|8|°C}} in the north.<ref name=climate>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/romania/34.htm|title=Romania: Climate|publisher=U.S. Library of Congress|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> The ] were {{convert|44.5|°C}} at ] in 1951 and {{convert|-38.5|°C}} at ] in 1942.<ref>{{cite web|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 rising to {{convert|28|°C}}, and temperatures over {{convert|35|°C}} fairly common in the lower-lying areas of the country. | |||
| Minima in Bucharest and other lower-lying areas are around {{convert|16|°C}}. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colorful foliage. Winters can be cold, with average maxima even in lower-lying areas reaching no more than {{convert|2|°C}} and below {{convert|-15|°C}} in the highest mountains.<ref>{{cite web|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=2008-08-31}}</ref> Precipitation is average with over {{convert|750|mm|in|abbr=on}} per year only on the highest western mountains—much of it falling as snow, which allows for an extensive skiing industry. In the south-central parts of the country (around Bucharest) the level of precipitation drops to around {{convert|600|mm|in|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web|language=Romanian|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap1.pdf|format=PDF|title= The 2004 Yearbook|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> while in the Danube Delta, rainfall levels are very low, and average only around 370 mm. | |||
| Because of Romania's geographic location, respectively the regional ] peculiarities, there exists a varied range of local winds. Humid ]s from the ] are most common, but often the drier winds from the northeast are strongest. A hot southwesterly wind, the ''austru'' (cf. lat. ]), blows over western Romania, particularly in ]. In ], cold and dense ]es encircle the eastern portions of the country, with the cold northeasterly known as the ''crivăț'' blowing in from the ], and oceanic air masses from the ], in the ], bring ] and mitigate the severity of the cold. Other wind types present locally are ''nemirul'', black wind, ], ''băltărețul'', ], ''cosava'' etc. Romania enjoys four ]s, though there is a rapid transition from winter to summer. ] is frequently longer, with dry warm weather from September to late November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vremea.meteoromania.ro/node/5665 |title=Vanturile din Romania |publisher= Meteo Romania |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| === Natural environment === | |||
| {{Main|Flora of Romania|List of mammals of Romania|Protected areas of Romania}} | |||
| A high percentage (47% of the land area) of the country is covered with natural and semi-natural ecosystems.<ref name=biodiversity>{{cite web|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 ] 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>{{cite web|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 |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20071115004512/http://www.envir.ee/programmid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity/index.htm |archivedate = 15 November 2007}}</ref> There are also almost 400 unique species of mammals (of which Carpathian ] are best known{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}), birds, reptiles and amphibians in Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/bio_cou_642.pdf|format=PDF|title=EarthTrends:Biodiversity and Protected Areas -Romania|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> The fauna consists of 33,792 species of animals, 33,085 ] and 707 ].<ref name="flora"/> | |||
| Some 3,700 ] have been identified in the country, from which to date 23 have been declared ]s, 74 missing, 39 endangered, 171 vulnerable and 1,253 rare.<ref name="flora">{{cite web|url=http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/romania/soe2000/rom/cap5/ff.htm|title=Flora si fauna salbatica|publisher=enrin.grida.no|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> The three major vegetation areas in Romania are the alpine zone, the forest zone and the steppe zone. The vegetation is distributed in a storied manner in accordance with the characteristics of soil and climate and includes various species of ]s, ]s, ], ]s, ]s, ], ], ]s, and ]s.<ref name="aproape">{{cite web|url=http://www.rri.ro/art.shtml?lang=2&sec=252&art=18152|title=Capitolul 12: Relieful, apele, clima, vegetatia, fauna, ariile protejate|work=Aproape totul despre România|publisher=Radio Romania International|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref><ref name="aproape2">{{cite web|url=http://www.edusoft.ro/rol/Flora%20si%20fauna%20Romaniei.php|title=Flora si fauna Romaniei|work=edusoft.ro|publisher=EduSoft|language=Romanian|accessdate=2010-07-18}}</ref> | |||
| There are almost {{convert|10000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (about 5% of the total area) of protected areas in Romania covering 13 national parks and three biosphere reserves: the ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|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 |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20071117061753/http://www.envir.ee/programmid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity/ariiprot/protarea.htm |archivedate = 17 November 2007}}</ref> The Danube Delta Reserve Biosphere is the largest and least damaged wetland complex in Europe, covering a total area of {{convert|5800|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|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 |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20050426231510/http://www.envir.ee/programmid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity/ariiprot/delta.htm |archivedate = 26 April 2005}}</ref> The significance of the biodiversity of the Danube Delta has been internationally recognised. It was declared a ] in September 1990, a ] in May 1991, and over 50% of its area was placed on the ] in December 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588|title=Danube Delta|publisher=UNESCO's World Heritage Centre|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Within its boundaries lies one of the most extensive ] systems in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588/video|title=NHK World Heritage 100 Series|publisher=UNESCO's World Heritage Centre|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> | |||
| {{Gallery | |||
| | title = ] | |||
| | height = 190 | |||
| | lines = 2 | |||
| | File:Lipovean.jpg|], ] | |||
| | File:Retezat Mountain - Spring Waterfall 02.JPG|Stânișoara stream, ] | |||
| | Image:Pietrosu Mare.jpg|Pietrosu Peak (2,303 m), ] | |||
| | File:Danube near Iron Gate 2006.JPG|] | |||
| | File:Zarnesti.JPG|] main ridge | |||
| | File:Lacul Rosu 092.jpg|] (]), a ] | |||
| | File:Chei Bicaz 045.jpg|], main river that drains the ] | |||
| | File:BaleaLac4.jpg|]s on ] | |||
| | File:Brana Aeriana.jpg|Brâna Aeriană, ] | |||
| | File:Cheile Turzii (Turda Gorges).jpg|], ] | |||
| }} | |||
| ===Administrative divisions=== | |||
| {{Main|Administrative divisions of Romania}} | |||
| <!---]. The 41 local administrative units are also highlighted, but Bucharest and ] are lumped together. The two form a development region of their own, surrounded by the ].]]---> | |||
| Romania is divided into 41 | |||
| ] and the municipality of ]. Each county is administered by a county council, responsible for local affairs, as well as a ] responsible for the administration of national affairs at the county level. The prefect is appointed by the central government but cannot be a member of any political party.<ref name="descopera">{{cite web|url=http://www.descopera.net/romania_geografie.html|title=Geografia Romaniei|publisher=descopera.net|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}{{dead link|date=August 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Each county is further subdivided into ] and ], which have their own mayor and local council. There are a total of 319 ] and 2,686 ] in Romania.<ref name="total">{{cite report|language=ro|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap1.pdf|format=PDF|chapter=1.8|title=Administrative Organisation of Romanian Territory, on December 31, 2005|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> A total of 103 of the larger cities have ] statuses, which gives them greater administrative power over local affairs. The municipality of Bucharest is a special case as it enjoys a status on par to that of a county. It is further divided into six ] and has a prefect, a general mayor, and a general city council.<ref name="total"/> | |||
| The NUTS-3 (]) level divisions of European Union reflect Romania's administrative-territorial structure, and correspond to the 41 counties plus Bucharest.<ref name=nuts/> The cities and communes correspond to the NUTS-5 level divisions, but there are no current NUTS-4 level divisions. The NUTS-1 (four ]) and NUTS-2 (eight ]) divisions exist but have no administrative capacity, and are instead used for coordinating regional development projects and statistical purposes .<ref name=nuts>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/comm/eurostat/ramon/nuts/codelist_en.cfm?list=nuts|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080118234301/http://ec.europa.eu/comm/eurostat/ramon/nuts/codelist_en.cfm?list=nuts|archivedate= 2008-01-18|title=Hierarchical list of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics – NUTS and the Statistical regions of Europe|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| {| | |||
| |- | |||
| |{{Romanian counties map| Map = Regiuni de dezvoltare.svg}} | |||
| |} | |||
| {| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| |- | |||
| !] | |||
| !] (]) | |||
| !] (2004) | |||
| !] | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |36,850 | |||
| |3,743,532 | |||
| |] (402,786) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |32,028 | |||
| |1,958,648 | |||
| |] (367,347) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |34,159 | |||
| |2,749,958 | |||
| |] (379,705) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |34,082 | |||
| |2,540,480 | |||
| |] (402,041) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |35,762 | |||
| |2,865,024 | |||
| |] (446,000) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |34,489 | |||
| |3,379,406 | |||
| |] (300,358) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |1,811 | |||
| |2,492,495 | |||
| |] (2,192,372) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| |] | |||
| |29,212 | |||
| |2,334,453 | |||
| |] (333,834) | |||
| |- style="text-align:center;" | |||
| | style="border-top:3px solid gray;"| '''Romania''' | |||
| | style="border-top:3px solid gray;"| '''238,391''' | |||
| | style="border-top:3px solid gray;"| ] '''22,063,996''' | |||
| | style="border-top:3px solid gray;"| '''] (2,192,372)''' | |||
| |} | |||
| ==Politics== | |||
| {{Main|Politics of Romania}} | |||
| ===Government=== | |||
| {{Main|Government of Romania}} | |||
| ]]] | |||
| The ] is based on the ]<ref name="Europaworld"/> and was approved in a national referendum on 8 December 1991.<ref name="Europaworld"/> A ] held in October 2003 approved 79 amendments to the Constitution, bringing it into conformity with European Union legislation.<ref name="Europaworld"/> The country is governed on the basis of multi-party democratic system and of the segregation of the legislative, executive and judicial powers.<ref name="Europaworld"/> | |||
| Romania is a ] ] where executive functions are held by both ] and the ]. The president is elected by popular vote for a maximum of two terms, and since the amendments in 2003, each term lasts five years.<ref name="Europaworld"/> He appoints the prime minister, who in turn appoints the ] (based at ]).<ref name="Europaworld"/> The legislative branch of the government, collectively known as the ] (residing at the ]), consists of ] – the ] with 140 members, and the ] with 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.scj.ro/monogr_en.asp|publisher=High Court of Cassation and Justice -—Romania|title=Presentation|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</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>{{cite web|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 Constituțională'') 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 be amended by only a public referendum, the last of which took place 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<ref>{{Cite news|first=Stefan|last=Bos|title=Bulgaria, Romania Join European Union|date=1 January 2007|publisher=Voice of America|url =http://voanews.com/english/archive/2007-01/2007-01-01-voa16.cfm|work =VOA News|accessdate = 2 January 2009|language = }}</ref> 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>{{cite web|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 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071118002152/http://www.bbj.hu/main/news_18741_romania+will+be+eus+most+corrupt+new+member.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-11-18}}</ref> and Romania was ranked, together with Bulgaria and ], as the most corrupt EU country by ] in 2009.<ref name="wsj4dec09"/> | |||
| ===Foreign relations=== | |||
| {{Main|Foreign relations of Romania}} | |||
| ] in ].]] | |||
| Since December 1989, Romania has pursued a policy of strengthening relations with the West in general, more specifically with the United States and the ]. It joined the ] (NATO) on 29 March 2004, the ] (EU) on 1 January 2007, while it had joined the ] and the ] in 1972, and is a founding member of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wto.org/English/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm |title=Understanding the WTO – members |publisher=WTO |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| 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.<ref name=mae>{{cite web|title=Foreign Policy Priorities of Romania for 2008|language=Romanian|url=http://www.mae.ro/index.php?unde=doc&id=35181&idlnk=1&cat=3|publisher=Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs|accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref> Romania has also made clear since the late 1990s that it supports NATO and EU membership for the democratic former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe and the ].<ref name=mae/> Romania also declared its public support for ], and ] joining the European Union.<ref name=mae/> With Turkey, Romania shares a privileged economic relation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewanatolian.com/ek6.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=The New Anatolian, 1 February 2006|title= Turkey & Romania hand in hand for a better tomorrow.}}{{dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref> Because it has a large Hungarian minority, Romania has also developed strong relations with ]. Romania opted on January 1, 2007, to adhere the Schengen Area, an area of free movement in Europe that comprises the territories of twenty-five European countries. Romania's bid to join the ] was approved by the ] in June 2011 and is currently being considered by the ]. Prospective implementation date is May 2012, following that to Romania will be conferred the relapse to international travel with border controls for travellers circulating in and out of the area, but with no internal border controls.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Headline: Meeting with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsány|publisher=Government of Romania|accessdate=2008-08-31|date=2006-03-24|url=http://www.guv.ro/engleza/presa/afis-doc.php?idpresa=6372&idrubricapresa=&idrubricaprimm=&idtema=&tip=&pag=&dr=}}</ref> | |||
| In December 2005, President ] and ] ] signed an agreement that would allow a U.S. military presence at several Romanian facilities primarily in the eastern part of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35722.htm|publisher=U.S. Department of State|title=Background Note: Romania – U.S.-Romanian Relations}}</ref> In May 2009, U.S. Secretary of State ] declared that "Romania is one of the most trustworthy and respectable partners of the USA" during a visit of the Romanian foreign minister.<ref>{{Dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ] are a special case, considering that the two countries practically share the same language, and a ].<ref name=mae/> A ] appeared in the early 1990s after both countries achieved emancipation from communist rule,<ref name=cfis>{{Cite journal|url=http://studint.ong.ro/moldova.htm|title=Romania'S Relations With The Republic Of Moldova|author=Gabriel Andreescu, Valentin Stan, Renate Weber|journal= International Studies|publisher= Centre for International Studies|date=1994-10-30|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> but lost ground in the mid-1990s when a new Moldovan government pursued an agenda towards preserving a Moldovan republic independent of Romania.<ref name=Ihrig>{{cite web|url=http://www.desk.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/download/es_5_Ihrig.pdf|format=PDF|title=Rediscovering History, Rediscovering Ultimate Truth|author=Stefan Ihrig|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref> Romania remains interested in Moldovan affairs and has officially rejected the ],<ref name=cfis/> but the two countries have been unable so far to reach agreement on a basic bilateral treaty.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.romanianewswatch.com/2007/12/moldova-urging-romania-to-sign-basic.html|title=Moldova urging Romania to sign basic political treaty|publisher=Romania News Watch|accessdate=2008-08-28|date=2007-12-16}}</ref> After the ] and subsequent removal of Communists from power, relations between the two countries have improved considerably.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6967255.html|title=Moldova, Romania open new chapter in bilateral relations|publisher=People's Daily Online|accessdate=2011-08-11|date=2010-04-29}}</ref> | |||
| ===Military=== | |||
| {{Main|Romanian Armed Forces}} | |||
| {{See also|Military history of Romania}} | |||
| ] of the 341st Infantry Battalion in ]]] | |||
| ] transport aircraft of the ]]] | |||
| The Romanian Armed Forces consist of ], ], and ], and are led by a ] who is managed by the ]. The ] is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces during wartime. Of the 90,000 men and women that comprise the Armed Forces, approximately 15,000 are civilians and 75,000 are military personnel—45,800 for land, 13,250 for air, 6,800 for naval forces, and 8,800 in other fields.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Ministry of National Defense of Romania|url=http://www.mapn.ro/briefing/030122/030121conf.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080403205407/http://www.mapn.ro/briefing/030122/030121conf.htm|archivedate=2008-04-03|title=Press conference|date=2003-01-21|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> The total defence spending in 2007 accounted for 2.05% of total national ], or approximately ]2.9 billion (]), and a total of about 11 billion were spent between 2006 and 2011 for modernization and acquisition of new equipment.<ref name="ZF">{{cite web|url= http://www.zf.ro/articol_99920/bugetul_mapn__2_05__din_pib__in_2007.html |title=MoND Budget as of 2007|publisher=]|date=2006-10-30|language=Romanian|accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20080422075245/http://www.zf.ro/articol_99920/bugetul_mapn__2_05__din_pib__in_2007.html |archivedate = 22 April 2008}}</ref> | |||
| The Land Forces have overhauled their equipment in the past few years, and today are an army with multiple ] capabilities{{Clarify|date=August 2011}}, actively participating in the ].<ref>{{dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref> The Air Force currently operates modernized ] ] LanceR fighters which are due to be replaced by new fighters by 2013, according to present plans. However due to poor economical conditions this may change.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapn.ro/cpresa/13361_COMUNICAT-DE-PRES%C4%82 |title=Comunicate de presă |publisher=Mapn.ro |date= |accessdate=2010-09-28}}</ref> The Air Force purchased seven new ] ] to replace the bulk of the old transport force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/04/12/340509/pictures-romania-accepts-first-c-27j-spartans.html |title=PICTURES: Romania accepts first C-27J Spartans-12/04/2010-London |publisher=Flightglobal.com |date= |accessdate=2010-09-28}}</ref> Two modernized ]s were acquired by the Naval Forces in 2004 from the ], and a further four modern missile corvettes have been commissioned by 2010.<ref name="awst_20061211">{{Cite news|title=Spartan Order|publisher=]|date=2006-12-11}}</ref> | |||
| Romanian troops participated in the ], reaching a peak of 730 ]s before being slowly drawn down to 350 soldiers. Romania terminated its mission in Iraq and withdrew its last troops on July 24, 2009, among the last countries to do so. Romania currently has some 1,900 troops deployed in Afghanistan.<ref>], {{dead link|date=August 2011}}</ref> | |||
| == Social welfare == | |||
| The ] rate in Romania is five per-cent and has been low for many years.<ref></ref> | |||
| The living standards were very low at the end of the Communist era, but the situation was just only improved a little bit during the 1990s. On the contrary, the living significantly due caused by the large privatization of jobs that resulted in high unemployment and rising prices. In later years lived yet 2010 nearly 10 percent of the population in absolute poverty<ref>http://www.socionomen.nu/text/rumanien-sedan-finanskrisen-har-barnfattigdomen-okat-igen</ref> and of these, 90% live in rural areas. The State social insurance system have relatively broad coverage but resources are extremely small. | |||
| Reforms have been initiated and in 1999 the health insurance became privatized and paid by the employers and the employees. Several thousand local trade unions were founded after the revolution, which were later amalgamated into federations. The unions and federations have helped organise students, pensioners and unemployed people.{{what|date=November 2011}} | |||
| By the first quarter of 2011 the average monthly household income is 2,318 ] (equivalent to approximately £862 USD). | |||
| The different between ] and ] may vary the income is 36 per-cent higher in the urban area than in the countryside.<ref>http://www.atkearney.ro/images/romania/pdf/Romanian_households_September_2011.pdf</ref> | |||
| The pension system is reformed.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> | |||
| The most worrying thing is the fact that there are more pensioners than the number of working people. because many who dismissed during the privatizations get Pre-Retirement. Romanian Pensioners average pension at the month is at about 190 euros (equivalent to approximately £250-300 USD). The current low average retirement age (55 years for men and 57 years for women) will be gradually increased until 2014, when it gets 60 years for women and 65 years for men. | |||
| Many of the country's Gypsies have no identity cards and are therefore excluded from the social benefit systems, schools and health care. The State-run health care is free, but the care system is neglected and has deteriorated in recent years due to lack of resources and underpaid staff. In many cases,the patients paying "under the table" to get treatment. here is evidence to suggest that a patient's wealth plays an important role in how they receive medical treatment.<ref>http://www.manskligarattigheter.gov.se/php/rapporter/documents/Europa%20och%20Centralasien/Rum%E4nien%2C%20MR-rapport%202010.pdf</ref> | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| {{Main|Economy of Romania}} | |||
| {{See|List of Romanian companies}} | |||
| With a ] of around $264 billion and a ] (]) of $12,358 for the year 2011, Romania is an upper-middle income country economy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20421402~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html#Upper_middle_income|publisher=World Bank|title=Country Classification Groups|year=2005|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> and has been part of the ] since 1 January 2007. | |||
| ] concept at the Geneva Motor Show, 2009]] | |||
| 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>{{cite web|language=Romanian|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/pib/pibr06.pdf|format=PDF|title=GDP in 2006|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref> Growth dampened to 6.1% in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080313034406/http://www.romanialibera.ro/a115093/banca-mondiala-in-2008-romania-va-avea-o-crestere-economica-de-5-9.html|archivedate=2008-03-13|accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> but was expected to exceed 8% in 2008 because of a high production forecast in agriculture (30–50% higher than in 2007). The GDP grew by 8.9% in the first nine months of 2008, but growth fell to 2.9% in the fourth quarter and stood at 7.1% for the whole 2008 because of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.curierulnational.ro/Economie/2009-03-05/Cresterea+economica+din+2008+a+franat+brusc+in+T+4|title=Creșterea economică din 2008 a frânat brusc în T 4|work=Curierul National|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> Thereafter, the country fell into a recession in 2009 and 2010, where the GDP contracted −7.1% and −1.3% respectively. It is estimated by the IMF that the GDP will grow again by 1.5% in 2011 and 4.4% in 2012.<ref name="imf.org">{{cite web|url= http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=77&pr1.y=1&c=968&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CNGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPCPIPCH%2CLUR&grp=0&a= |title=IMF World Economic Outlook Database, April 2011 – Central and Eastern Europe|month=April|year=2011|publisher=IMF|accessdate=2011-04-27}}</ref> | |||
| According to ] data, the Romanian PPS GDP per capita stood at 46% of the EU average in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-13122011-BP/EN/2-13122011-BP-EN.PDF |title=GDP per capita in PPS |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-12-13}}</ref> Inflation in 2010 was 6.1%.<ref name="imf.org"/> Unemployment in Romania was at 7.6% in 2010,<ref name="imf.org"/> which is very low compared to other middle-sized or large European countries such as ], France and Spain. General government gross debt is also comparatively low, at 34.8% of GDP.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ro.html|title=Romania|publisher=CIA World Factbook|year=2010|accessdate=2011-04-27}}</ref> Exports have increased substantially in the past few years, with a 13% annual rise in exports in 2010. Romania's main exports are cars, software, clothing and textiles, industrial machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, metallurgic products, raw materials, military equipment, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, and flowers). Trade is mostly centred on the member states of the European Union, with Germany and Italy being the country's single largest trading partners. The current account balance in 2010 held a deficit of $6.842 billion.<ref name="imf.org"/> | |||
| After a series of privatisations and reforms in the late 1990s and 2000s (decade), government intervention in the Romanian economy is somewhat lower than in other European economies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Romania|title=Index of Economic Freedom: Romania|publisher=heritage.org|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</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>{{cite report|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007_MONTH_06/2-26062007-EN-AP.PDF|format=PDF|title=Taxation trends in the EU|publisher=]|date=2007-06-26|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> a factor which has contributed to the growth of the private sector. The economy is predominantly based on services, which account for 51.2% of GDP, even though industry and agriculture also have significant contributions, making up 36% and 12.8% of GDP, respectively. Additionally, 29.6% of the Romanian population was employed in 2006 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.portalino.it/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20346|title=Romania: FDI reached over EUR 8.3 bn|accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070928125042/http://www.portalino.it/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20346 |archivedate = 28 September 2007}}</ref> According to a 2011 ] report, Romania currently ranks 72nd out of 175 economies in the ease of doing business, scoring lower than other countries in the region such as the ].<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/EconomyRankings/|title=Economy Ranking|work=Doing Business|year=2007|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> Additionally, a study in 2006 judged it to be the world's second-fastest economic reformer (after ]).<ref>{{cite report|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21041782~pagePK:64257043~piPK:437376~theSitePK:4607,00.html|title=Doing Business 2007 Report|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| During the first quarter of 2011 the average monthly household income was 2,318 Romanian lei, equating to approximately $867 USD based on international exchange rates, and $1170 based on purchasing power parity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=30&pr.y=8&sy=2006&ey=2013&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=968&s=PPPEX&grp=0&a=|title=Implied PPP conversion rate for Romania|publisher=IMF|month=April|year=2008|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> In 2009 the Romanian economy contracted as a result of the ]. Gross domestic product contracted 7.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009 from the same period a year earlier,<ref>. Mediafax.ro. Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> and the budget deficit for 2009 reached 7.2% of GDP.<ref>. Nineoclock.ro (2003-11-13). Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> Industrial output growth however reached 6.9% year-on-year in December 2009, the highest in the EU-27.<ref>. Financiarul.ro (2010-02-15). Retrieved on 2010-08-21.</ref> | |||
| ===Transport=== | |||
| {{Main|Transport in Romania}} | |||
| ] of Romania]] | |||
| ] in the Southern Carpathians. Built in the early 1970s, it is one of the highest and most dramatic roads in Romania.]] | |||
| ]'s icon, the "]" (''Săgeata Albastră'')]] | |||
| All transportation infrastructure in Romania is the property of the state, and is administered by the Ministry of Transports, Constructions and Tourism, except when operated as a concession, in which case the concessions are made by the Ministry of Administration and Interior.<ref name="wb"> ''worldbank.org''</ref> | |||
| According to ], Romania total road network is estimated to be 81,713 km long (excluding urban areas), out of which 66,632 km are paved and 15,081 km (2009) are unpaved.<ref name="cia"> ''www.cia.gov''</ref> The ] estimates that the road network that is outside of cities and communes (i.e. excluding streets and village roads) is about 78,000 km long.<ref name="wb"/> There are plans to build a 2,262.7 km-long ] system, consisting of six main motorways and six bypass motorways, as of 2011, 371.5 km are built and 845 km have construction contracts under way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capital.ro/detalii-articole/stiri/autostrazile-viitorului-ne-pun-pe-harta-tarilor-vestice-cu-2000-km-150186.html|title="Autostrăzile viitorului" ne pun pe harta țărilor vestice cu 2.000 km|publisher=Capital|date=18 June 2011|accessdate=2011-07-28}}</ref> | |||
| 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 ].<ref name="drumuri">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnadnr.ro/pagina.php?idg=20|title=Prezentarea generală a rețelei de drumuri|publisher=cnadnr.ro|language=Romanian|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> 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 ].<ref name="drumuri"/> | |||
| Romania has a relatively well-developed airport infrastructure compared to other countries in ], but still underdeveloped compared to Western European standards. There are 17 commercial airports in service today, most of them opened for international traffic. Five of the airports (], ], ], ], ]) have runways of over 3,000 m in length and are capable of handling ]. Three of the airports (], ], ]) have runways of 2,500 m in length, while the rest of them have runways of 1,800 to 2,000 m. As of December 2006, ] and ] are the only airports with no regular flights. Almost all the airports have experienced traffic growth in the last 4 years. | |||
| The ] estimates that the railway network in Romania comprised {{convert|22298|km}} of track in 2004, which would make it the fourth largest railroad network in Europe.<ref name="cai ferate">{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.ro/jf/romana/0208/retea.htm|title=Reteaua feroviara|language=Romanian|publisher=cfr.to|accessdate=2009-09-06}}</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 tonnes, or 17 billion ton-km of freight.<ref name="Europaworld">{{Cite book|encyclopedia=The Europa World Year Book|year=2007|volume=2|edition=48|publisher=Routledge|location=London and New York|title=Romania|pages=3734–3759|isbn=9781857434125}}</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 opened in November 16, 1979 and is now one of the most accessed systems of the ] with an average ridership of 600,000 passengers during the workweek. Currently, the Bucharest Metro measures 61.41 km lengthwise and includes five metro lines, one proposed and one under construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfin.ro/articol_8634/transferul_metrorex_la_primaria_capitalei_a_incins_spiritele.html|title=Metrorex ridership|language=Romanian|publisher=Financial Week newspaper|date=23 April 2007|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| Romania has 16 ]s, of which the busiest are ] (4,917,952 passengers, 2010) and ] (2,118,150 passengers, 2010). Also, Romania disposes of an unworkable international airport (]) and 16 under construction or planned airports, whose construction will be completed until 2020. Romania has about 200 flight corridors, as much as any other European country. The air traffic has doubled in the last 20 years, in summer of 2010, Romania was crossed by 150 ]s simultaneously, bringing considerable incomes to ] ]. As of May 2011, ] flies to 47 destinations (including the seasonal destinations), such as: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antena3.ro/romania/fara-autostrazi-romania-are-la-fel-de-multe-coridoare-de-zbor-ca-orice-tara-europeana-130987.html |title=Fără autostrăzi, România are la fel de multe coridoare de zbor ca orice țară europeană |publisher=Antena3.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ===Tourism=== | |||
| {{Main|Tourism in Romania}} | |||
| ], a ] on the Black Sea coast]] | |||
| Tourism focuses on the country's natural landscapes and its rich history and is a significant contributor to the Romanian economy. In 2006, domestic and international ] generated about 4.8% of gross domestic product and 5.8% of the total jobs (about half a million jobs).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weforum.org/pdf/tourism/Romania.pdf|format=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 is 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 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web|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> The 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{{clarify|date=October 2011}} 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>{{cite web|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}}{{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> but the number for 2007 is expected to increase even more.{{clarify|date=October 2011}}<ref name=turism>{{cite report|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/turism/a07/turism09e07.pdf |format=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>{{cite web|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|accessdate=2008-01-11 }}</ref> | |||
| Over the last years, Romania has emerged as a popular tourist destination for many Europeans (more than 60% of the foreign visitors in 2007 were from EU countries),<ref name=turism/> thus attempting to compete with ], ], Italy and Spain. Destinations such as ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] (sometimes called the '']'') are among the most popular attractions during summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unseenromania.com/places-to-go-romania/tan-and-fun-at-the-black-sea.html|title=Tan and fun at the Black Sea|publisher=UnseenRomania|accessdate=2008-01-10 |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20071011041935/http://unseenromania.com/places-to-go-romania/tan-and-fun-at-the-black-sea.html |archivedate = 11 October 2007}}</ref> During winter, the skiing resorts along the ] and ] are popular with foreign visitors. | |||
| ] in Brașov, one of the city's main tourist attractions]] | |||
| For their medieval atmosphere and ], ]n cities such as ], ], ], ], ] or ] have become major tourist attractions for foreigners. Rural tourism, focusing on folklore and traditions, has become an important alternative recently,<ref>{{Cite news|publisher=Romania Libera|language=Romanian|date=2008-07-05|title= Turismul renaste la tara|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/a128995/turismul-renaste-la-tara.html| accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref> and is targeted to promote such sites as ] and its ], the ], the ] and Sălaj, or the ] in ] (at ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruraltourism.ro/|language=Romanian|publisher=RuralTourism.ro|title=Bine ati venit pe site-ul de promovare a pensiunilor agroturistice din Romania !!!|accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref> Other major natural attractions, such as the ],<ref name="Europaworld"/> the ] (] Gorge), ] and several other caves in the ] have yet to receive great attention. | |||
| In terms of tourism potential, Romania benefits from splendid cities, scattered on the smooth plains or high peaks. These include ], a city built by ], with cobblestone streets and colorful houses. The ], one of the most important monuments of ] in ], can be visited in the picturesque city of ]. Also, ]s such as ], ] and ] are points of interest for local and foreign tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turism.ro/statiuni.php |title=Turism in Romania |publisher=Turism.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> The Romanian ] is the most developed tourist area of Romania. In 2009, Romania's Black Sea seaside was visited by 1.3 million tourists, of whom 40,000 were foreign.<ref name="litoral2010-08-21">, 9/07/2010, jurnalul.ro, accessed on August 21, 2010</ref> The ] is very varied, formed by slightly wavy shapes, with emphasized ]s and deep ]s extending into the ] valleys, with ]s, ]es and ] cords. In ] one can see the ]s of ] (1876–1957), a Romanian ] with overwhelming contributions to the renewal of plastic language and vision in contemporary sculpture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brancusi.1dez.com/ |title=Constantin Brancusi |publisher=Brancusi.1dez.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> These include ''The Endless Column'', ''The Gate of the Kiss'' and ''The Table of Silence'', which together represent the three parts of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniaturistica.com/obiective-turistice/ansamblul-sculptural-constantin-brancusi.html |title=Ansamblul sculptural Constantin Brancusi din Targu Jiu |publisher=Romaniaturistica.com |date=1957-03-16 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ===Science and technology=== | |||
| {{main|Science and technology in Romania}} | |||
| {{See also|List of Romanian inventors and discoverers}} | |||
| ], early flight pioneer]] | |||
| During the 1990s and 2000s (decade), the development of Romanian science was hampered by several factors, including corruption, low funding and a considerable ].<ref>http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/2/editorial_en.pdf</ref> However, since the country's accession to the European Union, this has begun to change. After being slashed by 50% in 2009 due to the global recession, R&D spending was increased by 44% in 2010 and now stands at $0.5 billion (1.5 billion lei).<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=124097 |title=Bulgaria: Science fortunes of Balkan neighbours diverge – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency |publisher=Novinite.com |date=2011-01-13 |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> In January 2011, the Parliament also passed a law that enforces "strict quality control on universities and introduces tough rules for funding evaluation and peer review".<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110112/full/469142a.html |title=Science fortunes of Balkan neighbours diverge : Nature News |publisher=Nature.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> The country has joined or is about to join several major international organizations such as ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epochtimes-romania.com/article.php?article_id=97824 |title=Funeriu: Stiinta din Romania 'se imbunatateste', insa mai sunt multe lucruri de facut |publisher=Epochtimes-romania.com |date=2011-01-13 |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actmedia.eu/2011/01/20/top+story/romania+is+to+sign+agreement+on+joining+european+space+agency+convention+/31695 |title=Romania is to sign agreement on joining European space agency convention |publisher=Actmedia.eu |date=2011-01-20 |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> Overall, the situation has been characterized as "rapidly improving", albeit from a low base.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110112/full/news.2011.8.html |title=Romania's high hopes for science : Nature News |publisher=Nature.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> | |||
| Historically, Romanian researches and inventors have made notable contributions to several fields, such as: aeronautics, medicine, mathematics, computer science/engineering, physics, biophysics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology. In the history of flight, ] and ] built and flew some of the earliest successful aircraft. Also, ] discovered the ] of fluidics. Preceding him, ] was a pioneering contributor to the field of aerodynamics in the world. | |||
| ] discovered more than 50 germs and a cure for a disease named after him, ]; biologist ] discovered insulin. Another biologist, ], received the ] for his contributions to ]. ] created the ], while ] was the first chemist to synthesize ] and also invented the modern method of ] ]. ] found new methods for the synthesis of pirilium salts, of ]s, ], ], two new syntheses for the indole nucleus, and a new method of ] of ]. | |||
| Several ] distinguished themselves as well, among them: ], ], ], ], ] and ]; the latter is also regarded as the ideological father behind ]. | |||
| Notable physicists and inventors also include: ] in atomic physics, ] in theoretical physics, ] specialized in quantum theory and discoverer of the ] phenomenon, ] (known for the first meson theory of ] and ] of the vectorial mesonic field), ] known for the first theory of the ] of the electron in 1911 (now known as the ]), ], the inventor of a multiple-cavity ] (1935), a hydrogen ] in 1947, ] for cinema/television in 1924 and hot deuterium plasma studies for controlled ], ] known for the ] theory in solids, ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chem.iitm.ac.in/professordetails/chandrakumar/msc_lectures/MSc_Lecture_Notes/The_Solomon_equations.pdf |title=The Solomon equations |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://prola.aps.org/abstract/PR/v99/i2/p559_1 |title=Solomon Equations and NOE |publisher=Prola.aps.org |date=1955-03-29 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> and ] devices, ], ] and Victor Toma, with the latter known for the invention and construction of the first Romanian computer, the CIFA-1 in 1955.<ref>Victor Toma- "Tatăl calculatoarelor din țările socialiste". ''România liberă'', July 13, 2007</ref> | |||
| The nuclear physics facility of the European Union's proposed ] laser will be built in Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eli-np.ro/ |title=ELI-NP | Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics |publisher=Eli-np.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> Romania currently has 1,400 ] of ] capacity by means of one active ] (]) with 2 reactors, which constitutes around 18% of the national power generation capacity of the country. This makes Romania ]. | |||
| ==Demographics== | |||
| {{Main|Demographics of Romania}} | |||
| {{See also|Minorities of Romania}} | |||
| ===Demographic evolution=== | |||
| {{Historical populations | |||
| |type = | |||
| |footnote = Figures prior to 1948 do not reflect current borders. | |||
| |1866 | 4424961 | |||
| |1887 | 5500000 | |||
| |1899 | 5956690 | |||
| |1912 | 7234919 | |||
| |1930 | 18057028 | |||
| |1939 | 19934000 | |||
| |1941 | 13535757 | |||
| |1948 | 15872624 | |||
| |1956 | 17489450 | |||
| |1966 | 19103163 | |||
| |1977 | 21559910 | |||
| |1992 | 22760449 | |||
| |1995 | 22687000 | |||
| |2000 | 22334312 | |||
| |2002 | 21680974 | |||
| |2011 | 19042936 | |||
| }} | |||
| ] since the early 1990s]] | |||
| ] by county (inhabitants) based on the March 18, 2002 census]] | |||
| In 2011, Romania's population is 19,042,936.<ref>http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/alte/2012/Comunicat%20DATE%20PROVIZORII%20RPL%202011.pdf</ref> Like other countries in the region, its population is expected to gradually decline in the coming years as a result of ]s. In 2011 ] made up 88.5% of the population. The largest ] are the ], who make up 6.5% of the population and ], who make up 3.2% of the population, gave a total of 619,007 Gypsies in Romania<ref>http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/alte/2012/Comunicat%20DATE%20PROVIZORII%20RPL%202011.pdf</ref>. Many ethnicities not recorded at all, since they . International sources give higher figures than the official census(]'s Regional Bureau for Europe], , {{cite web|url=http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/publications/msd/journal/issue25/25-pages154-164.pdf |format=PDF|title=International Association for Official Statistics|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080226202154/http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/publications/msd/journal/issue25/25-pages154-164.pdf|archivedate=2008-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-01-roma-europe_x.htm|publisher=usatoday|title=European effort spotlights plight of the Roma|accessdate=2008-08-31|date=2005-02-10}}</ref> | |||
| Hungarians 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">{{cite report|url=http://www.recensamant.ro/pagini/rezultate.html|title=Official site of the results of the 2002 Census|language=Romanian|accessdate=2008-08-31}}{{dead link|date=August 2011}}</ref> | |||
| In 1930, there were 745,421 ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/minor/min02.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070817040031/http://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/minor/min02.htm|archivedate=2007-08-17|title=German Population of Romania, 1930–1948|publisher=hungarian-history.hu|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> but only about 135,088 remain today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20081130100705/http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Laenderinformationen/01-Laender/Rumaenien.html|title=Political relations|publisher=Auswärtiges Amt|accessdate=2009-09-07}}Archived</ref>{{failed verification|date=January 2012}} In 1924, there were 796,056 ] in the Kingdom of Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/romania.html|title=The Virtual Jewish History Tour – Romania|publisher=jewishvirtuallibrary.org|accessdate=2009-09-07}}</ref> The number of Romanians and individuals with ancestors born in Romania living abroad is estimated at around 12 million.<ref name=diaspora/> As of 2009, there were also approximately 133,000 immigrants living in Romania,<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> primarily from ], ] and ]. | |||
| The ] is decreasing, with 1.4 births per woman recorded in 2009. The ] (10.61‰, 2008) is slightly lower than the ] (11.84‰, 2008), resulting in a shrinking and aging population, approx. 14.8% of total population having 65 years and over.<ref name="populationdata.net">{{cite web|author=Graeme Villeret |url=http://www.populationdata.net/index2.php?option=pays&pid=180&nom=roumanie |title=Roumanie |publisher=PopulationData.net |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/romania/demographics_profile.html |title=Romania demographics profile (2011) |publisher=Indexmundi.com |date=2011-07-12 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ===Languages=== | |||
| {{Main|Romanian language}} | |||
| The official language of Romania is ], a ] related to ], ], ], ], and other languages adjacent to the aforesaid. Romanian is spoken as a first language by 91% of the population. ] and ] are the most important minority languages, spoken by 6.7% and 1.1% of the population, respectively.<ref name="census" /> Until the early 1990s, there were also a substantial number of German-speaking ], even though most have since emigrated to Germany, leaving only 45,000 native German speakers in Romania. There are approximately 32,000 Turkish speakers in Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files%5Cstatistici%5CStatistica%20teritoriala%202008%5Ceng%5C8.htm |title=POPULATION BY ETHNIC GROUPS AT POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS, ON MARCH 18, 2002 |publisher=Insse.ro |date=2002-03-18 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ], showing the city's name in ] and ]]] | |||
| 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.anis.ro/index.php?page=afaceri&sec=afaceri_avantaje&lang=ro|title=Outsourcing IT în România|language=Romanian|publisher=Owners Association of the Software and Service Industry|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| Historically, French was the predominant foreign language spoken in Romania, but 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.francophonie.org/doc/doc-historique/chronologie-oif.pdf|format=pfd|language=French|title=Chronology of the International Organization La Francophonie|accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080624195138/http://www.francophonie.org/doc/doc-historique/chronologie-oif.pdf |archivedate = 24 June 2008}}</ref> German has been taught predominantly in Transylvania, due to traditions tracing back to the Austro-Hungarian rule in this province. | |||
| The ] remains, according to the ], the only official language of Romania, but local councils ensure linguistic rights to all ], who form about 10.05% of the total population. Foreign citizens and stateless persons that live in Romania have access to justice and education in their own language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdep.ro/pls/dic/site.page?den=act2_1&par1=1 |title=Constitutia României |publisher=Cdep.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ===Religion=== | |||
| {{bar box | |||
| |title=Religion in Romania | |||
| |titlebar=#ddd | |||
| |left1=Religion | |||
| |right1=Percentage | |||
| |float=right | |||
| |bars= | |||
| {{bar percent|]|purple|86.7}} | |||
| {{bar percent|]|purple|4.7}} | |||
| {{bar percent|]|purple|3.7}} | |||
| {{bar percent|]|purple|1.5}} | |||
| {{bar percent|]|purple|0.9}} | |||
| {{bar percent|]|purple|0.3}} | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Main|Religion in Romania|Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic|Pentecostal Union of Romania}} | |||
| Romania is a ] and has no ]. However, an overwhelming majority of the country's citizens identify themselves as ]s. 86.7% of the country's population identified as ] according to the 2002 census, the vast majority of which belongs to the ]. Other major ]s include ] (5.2%), ] (4.7%) and the ] (0.9%).<ref name="census" /> The latter two religious organizations suffered most severely under the Communist regime. The Greek-Catholic Church was outlawed by the Communist government in 1948;<ref>Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, 1132; Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 59–60</ref> later, under the Ceaușescu regime, several churches in Transylvania were demolished. | |||
| The foundation of the oldest-known Romanian Orthodox church is still visible at ] today, and dates from the 14th century; however, much earlier crypts with unearthed relics of Christian martyrs executed at the orders of the Roman emperor ] were found in local church records dating as far back as the 3rd century AD. Thus, the relics of Saint ] who was martyred by drowning in the river ] in Romania, under ], on 12 April 372, were reverently received by ]. Earlier still, the first known Daco-Roman Christian priest ] and his wife Maxima were drowned because of their Christian faith, as martyrs, on 26 March 304. | |||
| ], the largest Orthodox church in Romania, founded in 1833]] | |||
| Romania also has a ] minority concentrated in ], mostly of Turkish and Tatar ethnicity and numbering 67,500 people.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.recensamant.ro/datepr/tbl6.html|title=Romanian Census Website with population by religion|publisher=Recensamant.ro|accessdate=2008-01-01}}{{dead link|date=August 2011}}</ref> According to the results of the 2002 census, there are 66,846 Romanian citizens of the Unitarian faith (0.3% of the total population). Of the total Hungarian-speaking minority in Romania, Unitarians represent 4.55%, being the third denominational group after members of the Reformed Church in Romania (47.10%) and Roman Catholics (41.20%). Since 1700, the Unitarian Church has had 125 parishes—in 2006, there were 110 Unitarian ministers and 141 places of worship in Romania.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} | |||
| According to the 2002 census, there were 6,179 ], 23,105 people who are of no religion and/or ], and 11,734 who refused to answer. On 27 December 2006, 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% of Romania's total population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bosnewslife.com/europe/romania/2674-romania-president-approves-europes-worst/|title=Romania President Approves Europe's "Worst Religion Law"|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| The ] is an ] ]. It is in ] with other Orthodox churches, and is ranked ] in order of precedence. The ] of the church has the title of ]. Its jurisdiction covers the territory of Romania, with ]s for Romanians living in nearby ], ] and ], as well as diaspora communities in Central and Western Europe, North America and Oceania. | |||
| It is the only Orthodox church using a ]. The majority of people in Romania (18,817,975, or 86.8% of the population, according to the 2002 census data<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2011}}</ref>) belong to it, as well as some 720,000 ]ns.<ref name="Basarabia">{{ro icon}} , ''Ziua'', 31 January 2008</ref> The ] is the second-largest in size after the ]. | |||
| The most significant holidays of the ] are: | |||
| *] (January 6); | |||
| *] (has no fixed date), associated with ]; | |||
| *] (has no fixed date, celebrated 40 days after ]); | |||
| *] (August 15), preceded by two weeks of ]; | |||
| *] (September 8); | |||
| *] (December 25), associated with ]. | |||
| ===Urbanization=== | |||
| {{Main|List of cities and towns in Romania}} | |||
| {{See also|List of Metropolitan Areas in Romania}} | |||
| In the years following the Revolution has been a massive migration from village to city, but since 1996, the trend was reversed, and after 2005 was even stronger. Between 2005 and 2008, the number of people who have changed residence from rural to urban was 294,000, while the number of people who have changed residence from urban to rural was 418,000, difference being of over 120,000 people. Between 1996 and 2008, the difference was 313,000.<ref></ref> According to statistics compiled in 2004, 11,895,600 citizens (54.88%) lived in the ], and 9,777,728 citizens (45.12%) lived in the ]. The most urbanized counties are ] (76.87%), ] (74.91%) and ] (71.12%), while the most sparsely urbanized counties are ] (26.09%), ] (30.06%) and ] (30.95%).<ref></ref> | |||
| ] is the capital and the largest city in Romania. At the census in 2002, its population was over 1.9 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1186654811&men=gcis&lng=en&des=gamelan&dat=200&geo=-182&srt=pnan&col=aohdqcfbeimg&pt=c&va=&srt=1pnan|publisher=World Gazetteer|title=Population of the largest cities and towns in Romania|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> The ] of Bucharest has a population of 2,192,372 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanaudit.org/index.aspx |title=Urban Audit |publisher=Urban Audit |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> As of 2011, there are plans to establish a metropolitan area up to 20 times the area of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zmb.ro/ |title=Proiect – Zona metropolitana Bucuresti |publisher=Zmb.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/a94321/zona-metropolitana-bucuresti-va-fi-gata-peste-10-ani.html|title=Metropolitan Zone of Bucharest will be ready in 10 years|publisher=Romania Libera|language=Romanian|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=Romanian|url=http://www.zmb.ro/main.php|title=Official site of Metropolitan Zone of Bucharest Project|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| Romania has five other cities that are among the European Union's ]. These are ], ], ], ], and ]. Other cities with populations over 200,000 are ], ], ], ] and ]. Another 14 cities have a population of over 100,000.<ref name=population>{{cite web|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|title=Romanian Statistical Yearbook|year=2007|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/en/cp2.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> | |||
| At present, several of the largest cities have a ]: ] (446,595 inhab.), ] (402,786 inhab.), ] (402,041 inhab.), ] (379,705 inhab.), ] (333,834 inhab.) and ] (249,746 inhab.), and several others are planned: ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zmi.ro/de/zmi_context_romania.html|title=Map of Romanian municipalities that can have metropolitan areas in maroon|work=zmi.com|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| ] represent about 90% of total ] of the country{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}, and their share – among the highest in ] – amounts to 47.3% of the total ]. In December 2006 Romania had 2,854 ]s, consisting of 12,951 ]s. The average population of a Romanian village is about 800 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://enciclopediaromaniei.ro/Sat |title=Sat – Enciclopedia României – prima enciclopedie online despre România |language={{ro icon}} |publisher=Enciclopediaromaniei.ro |date=2011-05-07 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| {{Largest municipalities in Romania}} | |||
| ==Education== | |||
| {{Main|Romanian educational system}} | |||
| {{See also|Romanian Baccalaureate|List of universities in Romania}} | |||
| Since the ], the Romanian educational system has been in a continuous process of ] that has been both praised and criticized.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=UNESCO|url=http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/countryreports/romania/rapport_1.html|title=The Romanian Educational Policy in Transition|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</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 legislation. ] is optional for children 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>{{cite report|publisher=UNESCO|url=http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/countryreports/romania/rapport_2.html|title=The Romanian Educational Policy in Transition|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> ] and ] education are divided into 12 grades. ] is aligned with the ]. | |||
| ], one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Romania]] | |||
| Aside from the official schooling system, and the recently{{when|date=July 2011}} added private equivalents, there exists a semi-legal, informal, fully ] system. Tutoring is mostly used during ] as a preparation for the various examinations, which are notoriously difficult. Tutoring is widespread, and it can be considered a part of the Education System. It has subsisted and even prospered during the Communist regime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderomania.ro/book_gender_post/part1/Anca_Gheaus.pdf| title=Limited relevants. What feminists can learn from the eastern experience|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-25|publisher=genderomania.ro}}</ref> | |||
| In 2004, some 4.4 million of the population were 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap8.pdf|format=PDF|title=Romanian Institute of Statistics Yearbook – Chapter 8|language=Romanian|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/pdfs/report/HDR06-complete.pdf |title= UN Human Development Report 2006|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070202212856/http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/pdfs/report/HDR06-complete.pdf |format=PDF|archivedate=2007-02-02}}</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>{{cite report|url=http://www.edu.ro/index.php?module=uploads&func=download&fileId=1958|title=OECD International Program for Evaluation of Students, National Report|location=București|year=2002|pages=10–15|publisher=Romanian Ministry of Education|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> According to the ], in 2006 no Romanian university was included in the first 500 top universities world wide.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2006/ARWU2006FULLLIST-BY%20RANK%20(PDF).pdf|format=PDF|title=Academic Ranking World University 2006: Top 500 World University|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</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>{{cite report|publisher=Asociația Ad Astra a cercetătorilor rom | |||
| In the most recently ranking Babes-Bolyai University was ranked number 1 University in Romania in 2009 by Capital<http://www.capital.ro/articol/exclusiv-topul-universitatilor-din-romania-125346.html>. BBU is followed by University of Bucharest which is the second and by Transilvania University which is placed 3rd. | |||
| âni|author=Răzvan Florian|url=http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/8/florian_shanghai_romania.pdf|format=PDF|title=Romanian Universities and the Shanghai rankings|location=Cluj-Napoca, România|pages=7–9|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> Notably, Bucharest boasts the largest university in Europe by number of students, ].<ref name="financiarul"> Financiarul, 13 July 2009.</ref> | |||
| ==Culture== | |||
| {{Main|Culture of Romania|Symbols of Romania}} | |||
| ] in ], built on the ruins of the Royal Court of Moldavia, hosts the largest art collection in Romania.]] | |||
| Romania has a 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.itcnet.ro/folk_festival/culture.htm|title=Romania – Culture|accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071231125142/http://www.itcnet.ro/folk_festival/culture.htm |archivedate = 31 December 2007}}</ref> | |||
| ===Arts, literature and philosophy=== | |||
| {{Main|Literature of Romania|Arts in Romania|Cinema of Romania|Romanian philosophy}} | |||
| A unified Romanian literature began to develop with the ] and the union of the two ] in 1859. The ] began to be discussed and by the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, ] scholars along with Romanian scholars from Moldavia and Wallachia began studying in France, Italy and Germany.<ref name=iciculture>{{cite web|url=http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/cultural_aspects.html|title=Cultural aspects|publisher=National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics, Romania|accessdate=2008-08-28 |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20080307182620/http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/cultural_aspects.html |archivedate = 7 March 2008}}</ref> German philosophy and French culture were integrated into modern Romanian literature, and a new elite of artists led to the appearance of some of the classics of Romanian literature such as ], ], ]. | |||
| Although not particularly renowned outside the country, these writers are widely appreciated within Romania for giving birth to modern Romanian literature. Eminescu is considered the greatest and most influential Romanian poet, particularly for the poem '']''.<ref>{{cite web|language=Romanian|url=http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/l_eminescu.html|title=Mihai Eminescu|publisher=National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics, Romania|accessdate=2008-01-20 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071231163537/http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/l_eminescu.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> Among other writers that rose to prominence in the second half of 19th century are ] (also the first prime minister of Romania), ], ], ], and ]. | |||
| ], prominent sculptor]] | |||
| ] (1850–1889), Romania's national ]]] | |||
| The first half of the 20th century is regarded by many scholars as the ''Golden Age'' of Romanian culture, as it is the period when it reached its greatest level of international affirmation and enjoyed a strong connection to ] trends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/romanian/articles/TheRomanianCulturalDebateOfTheSummer.html|title= Romanian Cultural Debate of the Summer: Romanian Intellectuals and Their Status Groups|publisher=Romanian Club @ Columbia University|author=Mona Momescu|accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref> Notably, figures such as ] and ] pioneered the anti-war ] movement beginning with the ].<ref>Tom Sandqvist, ''DADA EAST: The Romanians of Cabaret Voltaire'', London MIT Press, 2006.</ref> The most prominent Romanian artist of this time, however, was ] ], a central figure of the modern movement and a pioneer of abstraction. His works present a blend of simplicity and sophistication that led the way for ] sculptors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brancusi.com/bio.html|title=Constantin Brâncuși's bio|publisher=Brancusi.com|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>{{cite web|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>{{cite web|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 interwar years, Romanian literature was greatly expanded through the works of, among others, ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| After the World Wars, Communism brought 'absolute' censorship and used the cultural world as well as a means to tightly control the population in addition to the much feared ''"Securitate''" paramilitary organization, numerous formers and their informers. 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>{{Cite book|last=Ștefănescu|first=Alex.|title=Nichita Stănescu, The Angel With A Book In His Hands|language=Romanian|publisher=Mașina de scris|year=1999|page=8|isbn=9789739929745}}</ref> While not many of them managed to obtain international acclaim due to censorship, some, like ], ] and ], had their works published abroad even though they were jailed for various political reasons. | |||
| Some artists chose to leave the country for good and continued to make contributions in exile. Among them ], ] and ] became renowned internationally for their works. Other literary figures who enjoy acclaim outside of the country include the poet ] and ] laureate ], both survivors of the Holocaust. The novelist, poet and essayist ] also received the ] in 2009. | |||
| Romanian contemporary cinema has achieved worldwide acclaim with the appearance of such films as '']'', directed by ], (] ] winner) and '']'', directed by ] (] '']'' winner).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altfg.com/blog/film-festivals/cannes-2007-winners/|title=Cannes 2007 Winners|publisher=Alternative Film Guide|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> The latter, according to '']'', is "further proof of ] in the film world." Also, the cinematographic ] '']'' directed by ] was nominated for the ] at the ] and won the ] (the ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=cannes2007&jump=review&reviewid=VE1117933650|title=4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days|accessdate=2008-08-31|author=Jay Weissberg|date=2007-05-17|publisher='']''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.berlinale.de/en/das_festival/preise_und_juries/preise_internationale_jury/index.html|title=Prizes of the International Jury|accessdate=2010-02-21}}</ref> | |||
| ===Music=== | |||
| {{Main|Music of Romania}} | |||
| ] performing "]" at the ], August 8, 2009.]] | |||
| The first half of the 20th century saw the rise of ], Romania's greatest composer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enescusociety.org/georgeenescu.php|title=George Enescu, the composer|publisher=International Enescu Society|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> A child prodigy, Enescu created his first musical composition at the age of five and became an accomplished ], ]ist, ], ] and teacher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/m_enescu.html|title=George Enescu (1881–1955)|publisher=National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics, Romania|accessdate=2008-01-20 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080115090725/http://www.ici.ro/romania/en/cultura/m_enescu.html |archivedate = 15 January 2008}}</ref> The annual ] is held in Bucharest in his honor. Also active in this period was ], a pianist notable for his interpretations of ], ] and ]. | |||
| Some famous postwar Romanian musicians are folk artists ], ], and virtuoso of the ] ], the latter having sold over 120 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/insite/SOUNDS_LIKE_CANADA/2006/1/17.html|date=2006-01-17|publisher=CBC Radio|title=Sounds Like Canada feat. Gheorghe Zamfir|accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080428050304/http://www.cbc.ca/insite/SOUNDS_LIKE_CANADA/2006/1/17.html |archivedate = 28 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gheorghe-zamfir.com/English/diskographie-e.htm|publisher=Gheorghe Zamfir, Official Homepage|title=Gheorghe Zamfir, master of the pan pipe|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> | |||
| Artists from Romania have recently{{when|date=July 2011}} begun to inch their way onto the international pop music scene, scoring millions of views on ] and selling hundreds of thousands of singles. Among the best known are ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| Maya's "]" became the first number one song in '']'''s year-end ] chart to have reached number one three times in its chart run, while competing in a line-up that included ]. Since the 2009 release of "]", the ]-born composer has won gold and platinum albums from ] to ] and toured clubs as far away as ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ziare.com/muzica/cantareti/care-e-artistul-roman-cu-cea-mai-mare-priza-in-afara-tarii-sondaj-ziare-com-1086098 |title=Care e artistul roman cu cea mai mare priza in afara tarii? Sondaj |publisher=Ziare.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ], however, has been the most successful, having sold nearly two million singles worldwide, notably in the ] and ]. Inna has had more than 114 million views on ] for her hits like "]", "]", "]", "]" or "]" and more than two million fans on ]. ], also a very popular singer has managed millions of views on YouTube and has won many song contests in countries like ], ] or ]. She has also put together her first album consisting of songs such as "]". The ] "]" was awarded in ] with ], for sales of over 60,000 copies, also Inna being awarded with ] in ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://life.hotnews.ro/stiri-muzica-8384048-video-inna-castigat-discul-platina-franta.htm |title=VIDEO Inna a castigat discul de platina in Franta – Muzica – HotNews.ro |publisher=Life.hotnews.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ] is the Romanian singer with most international performances. His song, "]", was ranked the fourth place at ], with 172 points. He has sold over 1.5 million albums in Romania and abroad. Also, ] and ] were ranked third place at televoting results of ], with 162 points.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dan Arsenie |url=http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/eurovision-2010-romania-bronz-germania-locul-intai-896221.html |title=Paula Seling despre rezultatul la Eurovision 2010: "Mai bine de atât nu se putea!" > |publisher=EVZ.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ===Monuments=== | |||
| {{See also|National Register of Historic Monuments in Romania|List of World Heritage Sites in Romania|List of museums in Romania|List of castles in Romania}} | |||
| ] in Bucharest was opened in 1888]] | |||
| The list of ]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/?search=&searchSites=&search_by_country=romania&type=&media=®ion=&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>{{cite web|url=http://www.cimec.ro/Monumente/unesco/UNESCOen/fastvers.htm|title=World Heritage List from Romania|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref> | |||
| ] (]), built between 1873–1914, is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Romania and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://peles.ro/ |title=Muzeul National Peles | Site-ul oficial al castelelor Peles si Pelisor |publisher=Peles.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> Unique architecture and ] gilded rooms attract thousands of visitors daily. ], built in 1488, is one of the most valuable foundations of ]. Also, ] is the treasure in the heart of ], on which rises the ], guarded by two "twin" buildings on the eastern side. Located at {{convert|29.7|km|0|abbr=on}} from ], between ] and ] Mountains, ] is a major national monument and tourist landmark. Built by Saxons in the 14th century, today it hosts an art and furniture collection by ], but is also marketed as the legendary residence of Bram Stoker's Dracula.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viaromania.eu/atractii.cfm/2-castelul_bran.html |title=Castelul Bran |publisher=Viaromania.eu |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</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>{{cite web|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 ], was the ] alongside the city of ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Selection Panel for the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) 2007|title=Report on the Nominations from Luxembourg and Romania for the European Capital of Culture 2007|date=2004-04-05|url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/pdf/doc670_en.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| ===Sports=== | |||
| {{Main|Sport in Romania}} | |||
| ], the current ] ] champion in professional ] and chosen number 1 at the ] in 2011 by ]]] | |||
| ] is a traditional Romanian sporting game continuously practiced at least since the 14th century, pursuant to chronicles and charters, first official documentary attestation dating since 1364, during the reign of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://federatiaromanadeoina.ro/page.php?105 |title=Romanian Federation of Oină – History of the game |publisher=Federatiaromanadeoina.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> Oină is a sporting game practiced outdoors, on a rectangular field, preferably covered with grass, between two teams of eleven players. The game requires for complex sports skills and is similar to sports common in other countries, such as ] ''Schlagball'', ] ''palsepool'', ] '']'', respectively ] ''cluiche corr''. Oină underlying the ], being borrowed from the period in which it not evolved enough, compared to contemporary period, in which oină represents an extremely complex game. | |||
| ] is 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 ]. | |||
| At the international level, the ] has taken part seven times in the ]. It had its most successful period in the 1990s, when during the ] in the ], Romania reached the quarter-finals and was ranked sixth by ]. | |||
| The core player of this "]"<ref>{{Cite news|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|quote=Hagi enjoyed legendary status in Romania where he spearheaded the 'Golden Generation' of players...|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> and perhaps the best known Romanian player internationally is ] (nicknamed ''the Maradona of the Carpathians'').<ref>{{Cite news|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=2008-08-31}}</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 European Champions Cup in 1984 and a ] semifinal in the 1990. Other important Romanian football clubs are ], ] and ]. | |||
| ], first number 1 of the ]]] | |||
| 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 tennis player ] won several ] titles and dozens of other tournaments, and was the first player to be ] by ] from 1973 to 1974. His doubles and Davis Cup Partner as well as mentor, ] is now the most successful businessman in the country. ] won the ] in 1978, while in 1980 she was runner-up. ] was another female ] player from Romania who played the final of the ] in 1977. The ] is held every fall in Bucharest since 1993. | |||
| Popular ]s are ] (] has ] ]), ] and ].<ref name=EYb2007/> The ] is a four-time world champion team, with Sweden and France (record holder), while ] is a top team in women's ]. | |||
| Some popular ]s are: athletics, chess, sport dance, and martial arts and other fighting sports.<ref name=EYb2007/> Fighting sports are actually popular in Romania, especially in the TV broadcastings. Famous boxers include ], ], ], ], ] and ], while ] became the first Romanian ] to qualify for the ]. Famous ] with outstanding results in this sport were: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and lately ], ], ] or ]. | |||
| Romanian ] has had a large number of successes – for which the country became known worldwide.<ref>Romanians were for example stereotyped as gymnasts, as in the ] episode ]</ref> In the ], the gymnast ] became the first gymnast ever to score a perfect ten in an Olympic event. She also won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze, all at the age of fifteen.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gymn-forum.net/Articles/NYT-1976_AmCup2.html|title=Gymnast Posts Perfect Mark|author=Robin Herman|publisher=New York Times|date=1976-03-28|accessdate=2008-08-13}}</ref> Her success continued in the ], where she was awarded two gold medals and two silver medals. In her career she won 30 medals, of which 21 were gold. | |||
| Romania participated 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 at the ] (]) with a total of 283 medals won throughout the years, 82 of which are gold medals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0115108.html|title=All-Time Medal Standings, 1896–2004|publisher=infoplease.com|accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> | |||
| ===Traditions=== | |||
| ] ]]] | |||
| Along with religious aspects, in Romania, the ] symbolizes the rebirth and the renewal of daily life. It's usual like in the Easter morning, after the returning of villagers from churches, children go to neighbors' homes, to bring luck and wealth, in exchange for a red egg. Also, in the ], young people carol the village homes, hosts giving in exchange nuts, sponge cakes, apples, pretzels and other delicacies. The ] is a very important part of Romanian Christmas festivity. In the week between ] and ], in all villages, groups of lads prepare for "bid", complex system of customs and habits. On the evening, in the eve of respective year which arises promising, are expected to occur "Ursul", "Capra", "Bunghierii", "Căiuții", "Malanca", "Jienii", "Mascații" and others.<ref>{{cite web|author=Improve It Grup S.R.L |url=http://www.traditii.ro/ |title=Traditii si obiceiuri romanesti. Artizanat traditional romanesc. Arta populara |publisher=Traditii.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ], ]]] | |||
| The ] characterize own attributes of the ] and contribute essentially at the definition of ethnic specificity. Closely related to human existence, the folkloric costume reflected over time, as reflected nowadays, mentality and artistic conception of the people. The folkloric costume has been developed with history, being a genuine expression of coherent ]s throughout centuries. Distinct ] ornamentation, traditional methods used for sewing and tailoring the pieces of clothing, and wide variety of costumes from one ] to another customize the defining spirit of the Romanian people.<ref>http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_ro/48384/1328/CIVILIZATIA_TRADITIONALA.pdf</ref> | |||
| Also, the ] is defined by its ], branch of ] that integrates a variety of ancestral habits, ]s, ]s and ]s, whose authors are anonymous. The rural character of the Romanian communities resulted in an exceptionally vital and creative traditional ]. So, in Romanian mythology were conceived fabulous beings, unreal characters endowed with supernatural powers. These include ''Baba Cloanța'', a misshapen and recondite ], '']'', inconstant virgins endowed with unapproachable ability of seduction and superhuman features, '']'', a ] that lives in deep ], '']'', troubled souls of the dead rising from the grave and '']'', a ] hero that fights with ], ] and ]es to liberate his heart chosen, '']''.<ref>http://andilandi.ro/marul-de-aur/personaje-mitologice-romanesti/</ref> The words "longing" and "mourning" have correspondent in another ], but the nonfigurative character remains undecipherable and define specificity of the Romanian soul. '']'', characteristic only Romanian literary folklore, represents the lyric creation that Romanian expresses the most varied and complex range of feelings, strongly rooted in his spiritual structure. In the Romanian folkloric tradition, "doina" was played mainly orally or accompanied by a single ], being the song of ], played for self comforting and not intended for festive events because of its sober nature. | |||
| ===Cuisine=== | |||
| {{Main|Romanian cuisine}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Romanian cuisine is a diverse blend of different dishes from several traditions with which it has come into contact, but it also maintains its own character. It has been greatly influenced by ] but also includes influences from the cuisines of other neighbours, such as the ] ('']''), ] ('']''), ] ('']''), and ] ('']''). Quite different types of dishes are sometimes included under a generic term; for example, the category '']'' includes a wide range of soups with a characteristic sour taste. These may be meat and vegetable soups, tripe and calf foot soups, or fish soups, all of which are soured by lemon juice, sauerkraut juice, vinegar, or traditionally '']'' (fermented wheat bran). Popular main courses include ], ] and the ]. One of the most common dishes is ], a cornmeal mush served on its own or as an accompaniment. Pork and chicken are the preferred meats, but beef, lamb and fish are also popular. | |||
| ] are prepared from minced meat (pork, beef, mutton, poultry or fish meat, especially in the Danube Delta), mixed with rice and other aliments (pap, couscous etc.) and wrapped in ] (fresh or sour) or ] leaves in the form of rolls. Usually, they are served with polenta and smetana, but can be served with a spoonful of fresh butter. | |||
| The list of desserts includes names like amandine, ], ], ], ], ], ] etc. In the north-western Romania, are prepared so-called ''ciureghe'', ''gomboți cu prune'', '']'', '']'', while in the north-eastern Romania, the traditional desserts are '']'', '']'', '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bucataras.ro/retete-traditionale/140/ |title=Retete traditionale Moldova: retete peste sau cu carne de porc.|publisher=Bucataras.ro |date=2008-12-15 |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| ]'', a traditional ]]] | |||
| '']'' is a strong plum brandy that is widely regarded as the country's traditional alcoholic beverage, along with ]. Romania is the world's second largest ] producer (after the ])<ref>, 2007 plum production data on FAOSTAT</ref> and as much as 75% of Romania's plum production is processed into the famous '']'', a plum brandy obtained through one or more ] steps reaching (but not limited to) an 70% alcohool concentration depending on the number of steps of distillation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regard-est.com/home/breve_contenu.php?id=868 |title=Țuica production consumed 75% of Romanian plums in 2003 |publisher=Regard-est.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> Alcoholic beverages are also obtained from other fruits (see '']'', '']'' and '']'').<ref name=educations>{{cite web|url=http://www.educations.com/Study_in_Romania__d2929.html |title=Study in Romania |publisher=Educations.com |date=2008-02-05 |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> Wine, however, is the preferred drink, and ] have a tradition of over three millennia.<ref name=educations/> Romania is currently the world's 9th largest wine producer, and recently{{when|date=July 2011}} the export market has started to grow.<ref name=educations/> Romania produces a wide selection of domestic varieties (], ], ], ]), as well as varieties from across the world (], ], ], ], ], ]). ] is also highly regarded, generally ], the traditional methods of preparation being generally influenced by ]. There are some Romanian breweries with a long tradition, such as ], ] and ]. Since the 19th century, beer has become increasingly popular, and today Romanians are amongst the heaviest ] drinkers in the world.<ref>{{cite web|author=Diana Tudor |url=http://www.zf.ro/zf-english/romania-enters-global-top-10-for-beer-consumption-3053140/ |title=Romania enters global top 10 for beer consumption | Ziarul Financiar |publisher=Zf.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> | |||
| Certain recipes are made in direct connection with the ] or the ]s. At ], each family usually sacrifice a ] and prepare a large variety of dishes of its ] and organs ('']'', ''caltaboși'', '']'', '']'', '']''). At ], is customary to sacrifice a ], preparing of its meat ''drob de miel'' and '']'', as ] being served '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://gastronomie.ele.ro/Bucatarie_romaneasca_--a304.html |title=Bucatarie romaneasca – Cultura si retete – Articole |publisher=Gastronomie.ele.ro |date= |accessdate=2011-08-29}}</ref> | |||
| {{clear}} | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{satop|Geography|Eurasia|Europe|Eastern Europe|European Union|NATO|Romania}} | |||
| {{Navboxes | |||
| |title = Articles related to Romania | |||
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| ==References== | |||
| ;Notes | |||
| {{reflist|2|group=note}} | |||
| ;References | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Sister project links}} | |||
| {{osmrelation|90689}} | |||
| ; Government | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ; General information | |||
| * from ] | |||
| * {{CIA World Factbook link|ro|Romania}} | |||
| * information from the ] | |||
| * from the United States ] | |||
| * at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' | |||
| * {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Romania}} | |||
| * {{wikiatlas|Romania}} | |||
| ; Economy and law links | |||
| * | |||
| ; Culture and history links | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ; Travel | |||
| * {{Wikitravel}} | |||
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| {{Geographic Location | |||
| | Centre = {{flag|Romania}} | |||
| | North = {{flag|Ukraine}} | |||
| | Northeast = {{flag|Moldova}} | |||
| | East = ] | |||
| | Southeast = ] | |||
| | South = {{flag|Bulgaria}} | |||
| | Southwest = {{flag|Serbia}} | |||
| | West = {{flag|Serbia}} and {{flag|Hungary}} | |||
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