At a Glance

Official Name: Republic of Romania

Continent: Europe

Area: 88,934 square miles (230,340 sq km)

Population: 22,364,022

Capital City: Bucharest

Largest City: Bucharest (2,351,000)

Unit of Money: Leu

Major Languages: Romanian (official), Hungarian

Natural Resources: Petroleum, timber, natural gas, coal

The Place

Romania is a country in eastern Europe west of the Black Sea and north of the Balkan Peninsula. Mountains cover northern and central parts of the country and sandy beaches extend along the coast.

Romania's mountains, which are part of the Carpathian Mountain range, surround the flat Transylvania Plateau. The mountains are surrounded by plains. Most of the country's mountains are 3,000 to 6,000 feet (910 to 1,800 m) high. Mount Moldoveanu, in the south, is Romania's highest mountain at 8,343 feet (2,543 m). The Transylvania Plateau rises to 1,200 feet (366 m). Forests cover parts of the plateau and the mountains. The flatlands are quite fertile and many of the country's cities and towns are located there. Romania's longest river is the Danube. It flows 900 miles (1,400 km) through the country and empties into the Black Sea. Other major rivers include the Jiu, Olt, Ialomita, Siret, and Prut rivers.

Romania's summers are hot and sunny, and its winters are cold and cloudy. The country has an average temperature of 70°F (21°C) in July and 30°F (-1°C) in January. Mountain areas receive 40 inches (100 cm) of precipitation annually, and the plains get 20 inches (50 cm) of precipitation each year.

The People

Approximately 89% of the people are Romanians. The next largest group are Hungarians at 9%. Other ethnic groups include Germans, Gypsies, Turks, and Ukrainians.

Rural Romanians live in 2-or 3-room wooden cottages. Many decorate their homes with handmade rugs, woodcarvings, plates, and fences. Cities have many buildings that are hundreds of years old alongside modern structures. Most city dwellers live in crowded apartments. Romania's population growth rate of 3.82% has created a housing shortage in urban areas. The country has a population density of 244 people per square mile (94 people per sq km).

About 28.6% of the labor force works in industry, 34.4% in agriculture, 10.4% in trade, and 5.1% in construction. The country has an unemployment rate of 8.8%.

Romania has one of the lowest standards of living in Europe. Many workers earn just enough for food for their families. About 15% of Romanians own television sets and less than 2% own automobiles. Life expectancy in the country is 70 years.

About 70% of Romanians belong to the Romanian Orthodox Church. About 6% of the people are Roman Catholics. Some people practice Islam, Judaism, and Protestantism.

Education

Romanian children must go to school from ages 6 to 16. Students attend elementary school for 8 years and then take tests to determine what they will study in secondary school. Nearly 50% of students take vocational classes, which prepare them to work on farms or in factories. Some students are trained in the arts and teaching. The top 5% of elementary school graduates take classes that prepare them for college.

Romania has 7 universities; the largest is located in Bucharest.

The country has a literacy rate of 97%.

Popular Culture/Daily Life

Romanian culture has been influenced by both Romanian and Western traditions. Medieval paintings adorn the outside walls of churches. Many people go to restaurants and concert halls to listen to orchestras play Romanian folk music. Exhibits of rural Romanian folk art are also popular. Teenagers enjoy listening to rock music, watching movies and plays, and reading books.

Romanians enjoy skiing, mountain climbing, hiking, and swimming in the Black Sea. Soccer is the country's most popular sport.