Romania

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Introduction - Romania:
Country	Romania


Background	The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist peoples republic in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.


Location - Romania:
Location	Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine

Geographic coordinates	46 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references	Europe

Area	total: 237,500 sq km land: 230,340 sq km water: 7,160 sq km

Area comparative	slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries	total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km

Coastline	225 km

Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate	temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Terrain	central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Elevation extremes	lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Natural resources	petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Land use	arable land: 39.49% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.59% (2005)

Irrigated land	30,770 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards	earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides

Environment current issues	soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands

Environment international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography note	controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine

People - Romania:
Population	22,276,056 (July 2007 est.)

Age structure	0-14 years: 15.6% (male 1,787,334/female 1,696,270) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 7,721,160/female 7,793,063) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,344,673/female 1,933,556) (2007 est.)

Median age	total: 36.9 years male: 35.5 years female: 38.2 years (2007 est.)

Population growth rate	-0.127% (2007 est.)

Birth rate	10.67 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate	11.81 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Net migration rate	-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Sex ratio	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.054 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.991 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.695 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate	total: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birth	total population: 71.91 years male: 68.41 years female: 75.62 years (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate	1.38 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Hiv aids adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Hiv aids people living with hiv aids	6,500 (2001 est.)

Hiv aids deaths	350 (2001 est.)

Nationality	noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian

Ethnic groups	Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)

Religions	Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)

Languages	Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%

Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.4% female: 96.3% (2002 census)

Government - Romania:
Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania

Government type	republic

Capital	name: Bucharest geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions	41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea

Independence	9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)

National holiday	Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Constitution	8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003

Legal system	based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage	18 years of age; universal

Executive branch	chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004); note - President Traian BASESCU was suspended by vote of parliament on 19 April 2007, but resumed his duties on 23 May 2007 after a popular referendum confirmed that his impeachment should not stand head of government: Prime Minister Calin Popescu-TARICEANU (since 29 December 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004 with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held in November-December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian NASTASE 48.77%

Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (332 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 28 November 2004 (next expected to be held in November 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 28 November 2004 (next expected to be held November 2008) election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PUR 37.1%, PNL-PD 31.8%, PRM 13.6%, UDMR 6.2%, other 11.3%; seats by party - PSD 44, PNL 30, PD 20, PRM 20, PC 11, UDMR 10, independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PUR 36.8%, PNL-PD 31.5%, PRM 13%, UDMR 6.2%, other 12.5%; seats by party - PSD 111, PNL 66, PD 45, PRM 34, UDMR 22, PC 20, ex-PRM (Ciontu Group) 12, PIN (GUSA Group) 3, independent 1, ethnic minorities 18

Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies

Political parties and leaders	Conservative Party or PC [Dan VOICULESCU] (formerly Humanist Party or PUR); Democratic Party or PD [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Calin Popescu-TARICEANU]; Romania Mare Party (Greater Romania Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR)

Political pressure groups and leaders	various human rights and professional associations

International organization participation	ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the us	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge dAffaires Daniela GITMAN chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the us	chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas F. TAUBMAN embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 information office: Cluj-Napoca

Flag description	three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Economy - Romania:
Economy overview	Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the countrys needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept GDP growth above 4%. However, macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romanias widespread poverty, while corruption and red tape continue to handicap the business environment. Romanian government confidence in continuing disinflation was underscored by its currency revaluation in 2005, making 10,000 old lei equal 1 new leu. The economy grew at 6.4% in 2006, the strongest growth in the last decade. Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, and the IMF has praised the countrys recent reform efforts in preparation for EU accession.

Gdp purchasing power parity	$202.2 billion (2006 est.)

Gdp official exchange rate	$80.11 billion (2006 est.)

Gdp real growth rate	7.7% (2006 est.)

Gdp per capita ppp	$9,100 (2006 est.)

Gdp composition by sector	agriculture: 10.1% industry: 34.7% services: 55.2% (2006 est.)

Labor force	9.33 million (2006 est.)

Labor force by occupation	agriculture: 31.6% industry: 30.7% services: 37.7% (2004)

Unemployment rate	6.1% (2006 est.)

Population below poverty line	25% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 27.6% (2003)

Distribution of family income gini index	28.8 (2003)

Inflation rate consumer prices	6.8% (2006 est.)

Investment gross fixed	25% of GDP (2006 est.)

Budget	revenues: $36.89 billion expenditures: $39.1 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2006 est.)

Public debt	21.4% of GDP (2006 est.)

Agriculture products	wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep

Industries	textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining

Industrial production growth rate	5.7% (2006 est.)

Electricity production	54.53 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity consumption	49.62 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity exports	3.7 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity imports	2.6 billion kWh (2004)

Oil production	119,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil consumption	212,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil exports	NA bbl/day

Oil imports	181,100 bbl/day (2004)

Oil proved reserves	955.6 million bbl (1 January 2005)

Natural gas production	11.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas consumption	18 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas exports	0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas imports	6.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas proved reserves	300 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Current account balance	-$12.45 billion (2006 est.)

Exports	$33 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports commodities	textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products

Exports partners	Italy 16.1%, Germany 15.3%, Turkey 7.8%, Hungary 6.4%, France 6.3%, Austria 4.7%, UK 4.5% (2006)

Imports	$46.48 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports commodities	machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, basic metals, agricultural products

Imports partners	Germany 16.6%, Italy 12.9%, China 11.3%, Russia 6.1%, Hungary 5.8%, France 5.3%, Austria 4.9%, Turkey 4.3% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold	$27.88 billion (2006 est.)

Debt external	$42.76 billion (2006 est.)

Currency code	new leu (RON) was introduced in 2005; old leu (ROL) was phased out in 2006; note - because of currency revaluation, 10,000 ROL = 1 RON

Exchange rates	lei per US dollar - 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004), 3 (2003), 3 (2002)

Communications - Romania:
Fiscal year	calendar year

Telephones main lines in use	4.386 million (2005)

Telephones mobile cellular	13.354 million (2005)

Telephone system	general assessment: rapidly improving domestic and international service, especially in wireless telephony domestic: 90% of telephone network is automatic; liberalization in 2003 is transforming telecommunications; there has been 20% growth in fixed lines with a penetration rate of 58% of households; nation-wide wireless service is growing even faster with 4 major providers and a penetration rate of 32% international: country code - 40; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2005)

Radio broadcast stations	AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998)

Television broadcast stations	48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995)

Internet country code	.ro

Internet hosts	57,470 (2006)

Internet users	5.063 million (2006)

Transportation - Romania:
Airports	61 (2006)

Airports with paved runways	total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2006)

Airports with unpaved runways	total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 23 (2006)

Heliports	1 (2006)

Pipelines	gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2006)

Railways	total: 11,385 km broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 10,898 km 1.435-m gauge (3,888 km electrified) narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2006)

Roadways	total: 198,817 km paved: 60,043 km (includes 228 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2004)

Waterways	1,731 km note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2006)

Merchant marine	total: 23 ships (1000 GRT or over) 198,767 GRT/246,732 DWT by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 15, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Italy 1) registered in other countries: 48 (Georgia 11, North Korea 11, Malta 9, Panama 9, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Syria 3, unknown 4) (2006)

Ports and terminals	Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea

Military - Romania:
Military branches	Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2006)

Military service age and obligation	all military inductees (including women) are volunteers who contract for an initial 5-year term of service; subsequent voluntary service contracts are for successive 3-year terms until the age of 36; minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 (2006)

Manpower available for military service	males age 20-49: 5,061,984 females age 20-49: 4,975,427 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service	males age 20-49: 3,932,579 females age 20-49: 4,076,288 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually	males age 18-49: 172,093 females age 20-49: 165,547 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures percent of gdp	2.47% (2005 est.)

Disputes international	the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraines reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea