Romania

Location

• Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
• controls the most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, and the Danube River forms much of the southern boundary with Serbia and Bulgaria

Population

Notable Population Centers

City	Population	Note
Bucharest	1,877,155	Capital
Sector 3	385,439
Iaşi	378,954
Sector 6	367,760
Constanţa	317,832
Sector 2	290,507
Sector 4	287,828
Cluj-Napoca	286,598
Sector 5	271,575
Braşov	253,200

Size

• 91,699 square miles
• 237,500 square kilometers
• twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon

History

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. 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. Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.

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 Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Languages

Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.)major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Romanian)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.note: data represent individuals who declared a maternal language in the 2021 national census; 13.1% did not respond

Religions

Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.)note: data represent individuals who declared a religion in the 2021 national census; 13.9% did not respond

Government

semi-presidential republic

• Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991amendment process: initiated by the president of Romania through a proposal by the government, by at least one fourth of deputies or senators in Parliament, or by petition of eligible voters representing at least half of Romania’s counties; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers or – if mediation is required - by three-fourths majority vote in a joint session, followed by approval in a referendum; articles, including those on national sovereignty, form of government, political pluralism, and fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended
• Political Parties and Leaders: n/a
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
• Legal System: civil law system
• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025)head of government: Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelection/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliamentmost recent election date: 18 May 2025election results: 2025: Nicușor DAN elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Nicușor DAN (unaffiliated) 53.6%, George SIMION (AUR) 46.4%2019: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%expected date of next election: 2030note: the prime ministerial position will be rotated in 2027 from BOLOJAN to another coalition party member as part of a power-sharing agreement
• Judicial Branch: highest court(s): High Court of Cassation and Justice (consists of 111 judges organized into civil, penal, commercial, contentious administrative and fiscal business, and joint sections); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)judge selection and term of office: High Court of Cassation and Justice judges appointed by the president upon nomination by the Superior Council of Magistracy, a 19-member body of judges, prosecutors, and law specialists; judges appointed for 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court members - 6 elected by Parliament and 3 appointed by the president; members serve 9-year, nonrenewable termssubordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts
• Legislative Branch: legislature name: Parliament of Romania (Parlamentul României)legislative structure: bicameral

Demographic Profile

n/a

Economy

• high-income, EU-member economy; euro membership delayed over macroeconomic indicators; persistent inflation, but consumption and EU-funded investments driving recovery; skilled labor shortage; high public debt and budget deficit; challenges include fiscal sustainability and political instability
• Budget: revenues: $93.691 billion (2022 est.)expenditures: $112.799 billion (2022 est.)note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
• Credit Rating: n/a
• Natural Resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
• Industries: electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
• Agricultural Products: wheat, maize, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, plums, apples (2023)note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
• Land Use: agricultural land: 55.1% (2022 est.)arable land: 35.7% (2022 est.)permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)permanent pasture: 17.7% (2022 est.)forest: 30.1% (2022 est.)other: 14.8% (2022 est.)
• Labor Force by Occupation: n/a
• Imports
• Imported Commodities: vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
• Import Partners: Germany 19%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2023)note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
• Exports
• Exported Commodities: cars, vehicle parts/accessories, insulated wire, garments, wheat (2023)note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
• Export Partners: Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports