Location

Romania is a country in East-Central Europe bordering on the Black Sea in southeast, it borders Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine, and it shares a maritime border with Turkey.

Romania covers an area of 238,391 km² and it has a population of 19.8 million people (2015). The capital and largest city is Bucharest, with a population of 2 million people. The spoken language is Romanian (official).

Geography

The Romanian landscape is approximately one-third mountainous and one-third forested, with the remainder made up of hills and plains. The climate is temperate and marked by four distinct seasons. Romania enjoys a considerable wealth of natural resources: fertile land for agriculture; pastures for livestock; forests that provide hard and soft woods; petroleum reserves; metals, including gold and silver in the Apuseni Mountains; numerous rivers that supply hydroelectricity; and a Black Sea coastline that is the site of both ports and resorts.

History

Romania’s history has not been as idyllically peaceful as its geography. Over the centuries, various migrating people invaded Romania. Romania’s historical provinces Wallachia and Moldova offered furious resistance to the invading Ottoman Turks. Transylvania was successively under Habsburg, Ottoman, Hungarian or Wallachian rule, while remaining a (semi) autonomous province.

Romania’s post-WWII history as a communist-block nation is more widely known, primarily due to the excesses of the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. In December 1989 a national uprising led to his overthrow.

The 1991 Constitution re-established Romania as a republic with a multiparty system, market economy, and individual rights of free speech, religion, and private ownership.

Free elections were held in 1990. In 2004 the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and in 2007 it became a member of the European Union (EU).

Trade and economy

The most important sectors of Romania’s economy in 2018 were industry (26.1%), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (20.2%), and public administration, defense, education, human health, and social work activities (14.5%).

Intra-EU trade accounts for 77% of Romania’s exports (Germany 23%, Italy 11%, and France 7%), while outside the EU 3% go to Turkey and 2% to the United States.

In terms of imports, 75% come from EU Member States (Germany 20%, Italy 9%, and Hungary 7%), while outside the EU 5% come from China and 4% from Turkey.

What to visit

Romania is a country packed with well-preserved history. The culture, iconic landmarks, and beautiful landscapes make it a fantastic travel destination. Here are the best spots to go.

Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is one of the largest and best-preserved deltas in all of Europe, with 23 ecosystems that are home to a huge number of plants and wildlife. Located in Tulcea County in the Dobrogea region, the delta is a winding network of waterways that originate from the Black Sea. In total, the delta is 5,165 square kilometers, and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Search for some of the 300 species of birds that visit the delta or fish in the lakes and marshes to find some of the 45 species of fresh-water fish. Visit during the springtime to avoid the mosquitoes, and don’t miss a fabulous sunset over the river.

Bran Castle

The strong but elegant Bran Castle, which dates back to 1377, is one of Romania’s top destinations. This is mainly because of its associations with a certain vampire – the medieval hilltop castle has been marketed as Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula’s castle. Unfortunately, the claim to fame may be misleading because several other castles in the country have linked themselves to Stoker’s famous vampire. The castle sits on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia and is open as a museum showing art and furniture collected by Queen Marie, who called the castle home in 1920.

Painted Monasteries

Located in the northeast area of Romania, Bucovina’s painted monasteries are truly one-of-a-kind sights. The exterior walls of a handful of monasteries were painted in colorful frescoes in the 15th and 16th centuries. The scenes feature masterpieces of saints, prophets, Jesus, angels, demons, heaven, hell, and more. Originally, they were painted to make the stories of the Bible available to all of the surrounding villages. The churches are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Peleș Castle

This exceptional example of Neo-Renaissance architecture is one of the top attractions in the country. Decorated with ornate stonework, sculpted wood, and stained-glass windows, the castle is at once charming and intimidating from its spot against the panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains. King Carol I constructed this castle at the end of the 19th century as a summer home. Today, the fabulous structure serves as a museum, showing off a collection of artwork, armor, and weaponry. Explore the 160 rooms and the terrace gardens on a guided tour through the castle.