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 "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Although Romania completed accession talks with the European Union (EU) in December 2004, it must continue to address rampant corruption - while invigorating lagging economic and democratic reforms - to fulfill the requirements for EU accession, scheduled to take place in 2007 or 2008. Romania joined NATO in March of 2004.
Country profile: Romania
The largest of the Balkan countries, Romania has dramatic mountain scenery and a coastline on the Black Sea.It has seen numerous empires come and go from the Roman, to the Ottoman, to the Austro-Hungarian.
After World War II the country was under communist rule although the leadership pursued a foreign policy independent of that of the Soviet Union.
Romania, a slower developer than other former communist countries of eastern Europe, took a major step away from its past when it was one of seven countries to join Nato in late March 2004. Its strategic location and Black Sea air and naval bases make it attractive to the alliance.
There have been several complex exchanges of territory over the years, not least when the area formerly known as Bessarabia went to the USSR following a pact between Hitler and Stalin. That region now forms a large part of the Republic of Moldova. Romanian, a Romance language, is essentially the same as Moldovan although the latter has undergone more influence from Russian.
The legacy of communist-era leader Nicolae Ceausescu, who was feared and loathed in approximately equal measure, lingered long after the uprising which brought his execution on Christmas Day 1989.
Former communists dominated politics until 1996 when a centrist government came to power. It became involved in prolonged political feuding which did little or nothing to promote economic reform. The left returned in 2000 when Ion Iliescu was re-elected president.
Failure to push ahead sufficiently with reforms meant that the country was not on the list of new EU members four years later. However, in April 2005 Bucharest signed the EU accession treaty, paving the way for Romania to join the union in January 2007.
- Full name: Romania
- Population: 21.6 million (via UN, 2006)
- Capital: Bucharest
- Area: 238,391 sq km (92,043 sq miles)
- Major language: Romanian
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 new leu = 100 bani
- Main exports: Textiles and footwear, metal products, machinery, minerals
- GNI per capita: US $3,830 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .ro
- International dialling code: +40
President: Traian Basescu
Traian Basescu, the popular centrist mayor of Bucharest, topped the poll in the second round of Romania's presidential election in mid-December 2004, defeating incumbent Prime Minister Adrian Nastase of the leftist Social Democratic party. The result came as a surprise to many.
The veteran former president, Ion Iliescu, also of the Social Democrats, had dominated Romanian politics since the fall of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989. He was barred by the constitution from running for a further term.
Although Mr Iliescu and the Social Democrats had overseen Romania's entry into Nato and brought the country within sight of EU membership, they were regarded by critics as having dragged their feet on reform and as not tough enough against corruption.
Mr Basescu, a former sea captain, has promised to take a harder line against poverty and graft.
Mr Basescu was 53 at the time of his election. He was transport minister between 1996 and 2000.
Prime minister: Calin Tariceanu
Calin Tariceanu became prime minister following parliamentary elections in November 2004. His government is an alliance of Liberals and Democrats and has members from four reformist parties.
He said his main aim was to achieve EU membership in 2007 and identified the fight against corruption as one of the key challenges.
His government has won praise from EU officials for its efforts to tackle the problem. Numerous criminal investigations have been launched into the activities of senior officials and members of the judiciary.
Mr Tariceanu had a successful business career before entering politics. He was 53 when he became prime minister.
Romania has one of the most dynamic media markets in southeastern Europe. State-owned Romania 1 and the private commercial stations Pro TV and Antena 1 command the lion's share of viewing.
There is a large number of smaller, private TV stations, some of them part of local networks. The state broadcaster, TVR, operates a second national network, TVR 2, and a pan-European satellite channel. Pay TV channels have a smaller but significant audience.
The first private radio stations appeared in 1990; there are now more than 100 of them. State-run Radio Romania operates four national networks and regional and local stations. BBC World Service is available on 88 FM in the capital.
Most households in Bucharest have cable TV. There are hundreds of cable distributors offering access to Romanian, European and other stations.
Romania's newspaper market thrived after the 1989 revolution, but many newspapers subsequently closed because of rising costs.
The 1991 constitution upholds freedom of expression, but prohibits "defamation of the country".
In 2004 the media rights body Reporters Without Borders said physical attacks on journalists investigating corruption had increased. It added that self-censorship among journalists was prompted by defamation laws.
The press
Television
Radio
News agencies
Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept GDP growth above 4%. An IMF standby agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and the curbing of inflation. The IMF Board approved Romania's completion of the standby agreement in October 2003, the first time Romania has successfully concluded an IMF agreement since the 1989 revolution. In July 2004, the executive board of the IMF approved a 24-month standby agreement for $367 million. IMF concerns about Romania's tax policy and budget deficit led to a breakdown of this agreement in 2005. In the past, the IMF has criticized the government's fiscal, wage, and monetary policies. Meanwhile, macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's 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.
Romanian natural resources include petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
Romanian religion is 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).
Natural hazards in Romania include earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides.
Travel Advice on Romania
SUMMARY
- Romania shares with the rest of Europe a threat from international terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.
- Around 75,000 British nationals visit Romania every year. Most consular cases involve petty crime, lost or stolen passports and car theft. Beware of young pickpockets in city centres especially in crowded areas e.g. buses, trains and busy streets. Keep valuable belongings in a hotel safe where possible.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All children entering Romania should have their own passport. Children included in parents’ passports will only be allowed entry if the passport also contains their photograph. For further information on exactly what will be required please contact: Romanian representation in the UK.
HEALTH
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to any medical treatment that becomes necessary on the same terms as Romanian nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see: Europe and the EHIC.
There have been a number of Hepatitis A cases in Romania. You are advised to seek medical advice about inoculations before travelling. You should drink only bottled water.
Rabies is endemic in Romania. It has largely been confined to the rural areas. You should be wary of, and try to avoid contact with, the numerous stray dogs. If bitten, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. If visiting rural areas of Romania, you should consider having a course of rabies inoculations.
Stray dogs in Romania are also reported to carry the tick-borne African Typhus disease. Those most at risk are the elderly, the young and the infirm.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
There have been confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in the Danube Delta, Transylvania and Bucharest. The Romanian authorities have taken measures to contain the outbreaks including restricting access to affected areas. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Earthquakes are not uncommon in southern and southwestern Romania and small tremors are recorded throughout the year without consequences. The last major earthquake occurred in late November 2005 but there were no casualties or significant damage.
GENERAL