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 temperate and continental with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 11°C in the south and 8 °C (46 °F) in the north.[102] The extreme recorded temperatures are 44.5 °C (112.1 °F) in Ion Sion 1951 and −38.5 °C (−37 °F) in Bod 1942.
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 being around 28 °C (82 °F),[104] with temperatures over 35 °C (95 °F) fairly common in the lower-lying areas of the country. Minima in Bucharest and other lower-lying areas are around 16 °C (61 °F), but at higher altitudes both maxima and minima decline considerably. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colorful foliage. Winters can be cold, with average maxima even in lower-lying areas being no more than 2 °C (36 °F) and below −15 °C (5.0 °F) in the highest mountains, where some areas of permafrost occur on the highest peaks.
Precipitation is average with over 750 mm (30 in) per year only on the highest western mountains — much of it falling as snow which allows for an extensive skiing industry. In the south-centern parts of the country (around Bucharest) the level of precipitation drops to around 600 mm (24 in), while in the Danube Delta, rainfall levels are very low, and average only around 370 mm.
The leu (/leŭ/, plural: lei /lej/; ISO 4217 code RON; numeric code 946) is the currency of Romania.It is subdivided into 100 bani (singular: ban). On 1 July 2005, Romania underwent a currency reform, switching from the previous leu (ROL) to a new leu (RON). 1 RON is equal to 10,000 ROL.
With a surface area of 238,391 square kilometres (92,043 sq mi), Romania is the largest country in southeastern Europe and the twelfth-largest in Europe. A large part of Romania's border with Serbia and Bulgaria is formed by the Danube. The Danube is joined by the Prut River, which forms the border with the Republic of Moldova. The Danube flows into the Black Sea within Romania's territory forming the Danube Delta, the second largest and the best preserved delta in Europe, and a biosphere reserve and a biodiversity World Heritage Site.[94] Other important rivers are the Siret, running north-south through Moldavia, the Olt, running from the oriental Carpathian Mountains to Oltenia, and the Mureş, running through Transylvania from East to West.
Romania's terrain is distributed roughly equally between mountainous, hilly and lowland territories. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of Romania, with fourteen of its mountain ranges reaching above the altitude of 2,000 meters. The highest mountain in Romania is Moldoveanu Peak (2,544 m/8,350 ft). In south-central Romania, the Carpathians sweeten into hills, towards the Bărăgan Plains. Romania's geographical diversity has led to an accompanying diversity of flora and fauna.
Traces of human life in Romania can be traced as far back as 2,000 years BC (the Lower Palaeolithic Era). This among the oldest finding in the whole of Europe.
In the Ancient years the land was inhabited by Thracian tribes from Greece who established the state of Dacia. The Dacians suffered many conquests made by the Romans eventually becoming under their rule. The area and its people where then subject to a complete Romanization, enforcing the Latin language onto the people. This was the beginning of the formation of the Romanian culture.
Romania has been a rather worn-torn country throughout it's history. Due to its location the country has had to encounter many invasions from its neighbouring nations migrating through the area. Through these battles and invasions many brave heroes arisen defending their lands. Notable is Vlad The Impeller's (The legendary Dracula) rein in Transylvania and Walachia against the Ottoman Turks and the Hungarians, and Stephen the Great in Northern Romania
As the centuries past and the World Wars raved havoc through the land the country had to deal with another ordeal, the communist rule of Nicolae Ceausescu. His dictatorship literally destroyed the country's economy and resources with his absurd giant building projects. Under his rule the people were forced to live a rather low standard of life. Despite this a revolt arised in 1989 in Timisoara soon spreading all over the country. The dictatorship was overthrown and democracy political system was re-established. This victory by the people allowed Romania's economy to return the European market and rejuvenate their cultural status.
Now a days Romania is rapidly integrating with western Europe and becoming a popular spot for travellers. Its entry into the European Union is slated for 2007. Meanwhile, its entry into NATO was confirmed in 2004.
Le festività religiose seguono il tradizionale calendario cristiano: l’Assunzione, 15 agosto; Tutti i Santi, 1° novembre; l’Immacolata Concezione, 8 dicembre; Natale, 25 dicembre; Santo Stefano, 26 dicembre ; Venerdì Santo, Pasqua, Lunedì di Pasqua, Pentecoste, le cui date variano di anno in anno.
The population of Romania in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 22,334,000, which placed it as number 49 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 14% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 18% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 95 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is -0.23%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 21,649,000. The population density in 2002 was 94 per sq km (243 per sq mi).
It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 56% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Bucharest, had a population of 2,054,000 in that year. Other major cities and their population estimates were Brasov, 323,736; Constanta, 350,581; Timisoara, 334,115; Iasi, 344,425; Cluj-Napoca, 328,602; Galati, 325,788; Craiova, 303,959; Braila, 234,110; and Ploiesti, 252,715. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 0.2%.
Capital
(and largest city) Bucharest (Bucureşti)
44°25′N, 26°06′E
Official languages Romanian1
Demonym Romanian
Government Unitary semi-presidential republic
- President Traian Băsescu
- Prime Minister Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu
(PNL)
Formation
- Wallachia 1290
- Moldavia 1346
- First Unification 1599
- Reunification of Wallachia and Moldavia January 24, 1859
- Officially recognized independence 13 July 1878
- Reunification with Transylvania December 1, 1918
EU accession January 1, 2007
Area
- Total 237,500 km² (82nd)
92,043 sq mi
- Water (%) 3
Population
- July 2008 estimate 22,246,862 (50th)
- 2002 census 21,680,974
- Density 93/km² (104th)
236/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2008 estimate
- Total $264.0 billion (43rd)
- Per capita $12,285.07[1] (64th)
GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate
- Total $187.9 billions (38th)
- Per capita $8,744.7 (58th)
Gini (2003) 31 (medium)
HDI (2005) ▲ 0.813 (high) (60th)
Currency Leu (RON)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Internet TLD .ro, .eu4
Calling code +40
Italiano
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