ROMANIA
Fast Facts
Location: (Southeastern) Central Europe
Time Zone: Seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 2)
Area: 91,725 sq. miles (237,502 sq. km)
Flag of Romania: Three vertical stripes: red, yellow and blue.
Population: 19,350,000 (2012)
Ethnic Groups: Romanian 89%, Hungarian 6.5%, Gipsy 3.2%, Ukrainian, German, Other 1.3%
Religions: Christian Orthodox 78%, Greek-Catholic 10%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 5%, Jewish, Unitarian
Official Language: Romanian
Currency: Romanian Leu (RON) ( plural Lei )
Climate: Temperate, four distinct seasons, similar to northeastern USA
Capital: Bucharest (București)
Form of State: Semi-parliamentary Republic with two legislative bodies: Senate (Senat) and Chamber of Representatives (Camera Deputaţilor)
Legal system: Based on European models and Constitution of 1991.
Electoral System: Universal direct suffrage over the age of 18.Parties must win at least five percent of the national vote to gain representation in the Parliament.
National Elections: November 2008;next ellections: Fall 2014 (presidential),Fall 2016 (parliamentary)
Head of State: President of the Republic, currently Mr. Traian Basescu (re-elected on December 6, 2009).Romania's president is allowed to serve two consecutive five-year terms.
National Government: The government is led by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the Parliament on the nomination of the President of Romania.The present Government is formed by the "Social-Liberal Union (USL)a Social-Democratic Party and National-Liberal Party coalition.
Head of the Government: the Prime Minister, currently Mr. Victor Ponta (Social-Democratic Party).
Main political parties: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Democratic-Liberal Party (PD-L), National Liberal Party (PNL), Democratic Union of the Hungarian Minority (UDMR).
Regional Government: Forty-one County Councils (Consiliu Judeţean).
Romania is a member state of the EU (2007); NATO (2002) and OIF (1993)
Time Zone: Seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 2)
Area: 91,725 sq. miles (237,502 sq. km)
Flag of Romania: Three vertical stripes: red, yellow and blue.
Population: 19,350,000 (2012)
Ethnic Groups: Romanian 89%, Hungarian 6.5%, Gipsy 3.2%, Ukrainian, German, Other 1.3%
Religions: Christian Orthodox 78%, Greek-Catholic 10%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 5%, Jewish, Unitarian
Official Language: Romanian
Currency: Romanian Leu (RON) ( plural Lei )
Climate: Temperate, four distinct seasons, similar to northeastern USA
Capital: Bucharest (București)
Form of State: Semi-parliamentary Republic with two legislative bodies: Senate (Senat) and Chamber of Representatives (Camera Deputaţilor)
Legal system: Based on European models and Constitution of 1991.
Electoral System: Universal direct suffrage over the age of 18.Parties must win at least five percent of the national vote to gain representation in the Parliament.
National Elections: November 2008;next ellections: Fall 2014 (presidential),Fall 2016 (parliamentary)
Head of State: President of the Republic, currently Mr. Traian Basescu (re-elected on December 6, 2009).Romania's president is allowed to serve two consecutive five-year terms.
National Government: The government is led by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the Parliament on the nomination of the President of Romania.The present Government is formed by the "Social-Liberal Union (USL)a Social-Democratic Party and National-Liberal Party coalition.
Head of the Government: the Prime Minister, currently Mr. Victor Ponta (Social-Democratic Party).
Main political parties: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Democratic-Liberal Party (PD-L), National Liberal Party (PNL), Democratic Union of the Hungarian Minority (UDMR).
Regional Government: Forty-one County Councils (Consiliu Judeţean).
Romania is a member state of the EU (2007); NATO (2002) and OIF (1993)
Main attraction
Romania’s collection of castles and fortresses perhaps best illustrates the rich medieval heritage of the country. While castles built from the 14th to the 18th centuries are strong and austere fortresses built mainly for defense against invaders, those erected beginning in the late 1800s are imposing and luxurious. The most popular include the 14th century Corvinesti Castle, built on the site of a former Roman camp, the elegant 19th century Peles Castle with its 160 rooms filled with priceless European art and, of course, the Bran Castle, built in the mid-1300s and legendary home to Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula.
The most important Castles & Fortresses of Romania
» Bran Castle
» Calnic Fortified Church
» Cetatea de Balta
» Cisnadie Fortified Church
» Corvinesti Castle in Hunedoara
» Fagaras Fortress
» Harman Fortified Church
» Peles Castle in Sinaia
» Prejmer Fortified Church
» Rasnov Fortress
» Valea Viilor Fortified Church
» Viscri Fortified Church
The Danube Delta (Delta Dunarii) - A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
» The Danube River is the most international river on the planet - its course runs across — or forms a part of the borders of several countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and four capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade.
» Formed over a period of more than 10,000 years, the Danube Delta continues to grow due to the 67 million tons of alluvia deposited every year by the Danube River.
» The Delta is formed around the three main channels of the Danube, named after their respective ports: Chilia (in the north), Sulina (in the middle), and Sfantu Gheorghe (in the south).
» The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve has the third largest biodiversity in the world (over 5,500 flora and fauna species), exceeded only by the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador.
» The Danube Delta is home to over 60% of the world’s population of pygmy cormorants (phalacrocorax pygmeus), 50% of red-breasted geese (branta ruficollis) and the largest number of white pelicans (pelecanus onocrotalus) and Dalmatian pelicans (pelecanus crispus) in Europe.
» It also is home to the world’s largest reed bed expanse– 625, 000 acres / 240,000 ha.
» Some 15,000 people inhabit the Delta area, living in 28 villages and one city (Sulina).
» The area was first attested by Herodot of Halicarnas (484 – 425 B.C.).
» More then half of the Delta Biosphere Reserve is virtually intact.
Medieval Towns
Central Romania encompasses what is popularly known as Transylvania – a place that immediately brings to mind the legend of Count Dracula. While the legend is certainly intriguing and a genuine tourist attraction, the region has much more to offer. Some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, most notably Sighisoara, Brasov and Sibiu, are located here.
Visitors can marvel at Transylvania’s unique architectural treasures, such as castles, fortified churches and centuries-old houses, while exploring sites where more than 900 years ago Saxon craftsmen and merchants established powerful and rich citadels.
During the middle of the 12th century Saxons came to the area from the Luxembourg, Lorraine, Moselle, Rhine and Wallonia regions of northwestern Europe. They called their new home ‘Siebenburgen’ after the seven major walled towns they built here:
» Bistrita (Bistritz)
» Brasov (Kronstadt)
» Cluj Napoca(Klausenburg)
» Medias (Mediasch)
» Sebes (Seh besh')
» Sibiu (Hermannstadt)
» Sighisoara (Schassburg)
Romania’s national and natural parks, displaying a unique variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife, protect some of the largest remaining areas of pristine forest in Europe. Grasslands, gorges, subterranean caves, volcanic lakes, and extensive river network add to the richness of the park system that also includes the Danube Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Europe’s largest wetland. Romania’s diverse natural landscapes offer numerous choices for exciting outdoor experiences. Travelers can walk through serene alpine meadows covered with scores of wildflowers, trek around glacial lakes, take in the lush-green scenery while horse riding or mountain biking, climb curious rock formations, photograph fossil traces of 15,000-year old cave-bear species, track gold eagles or other rare birds, study endangered flora, wander in the countryside, picnic in the fields, try your hand at traditional crafts, - or just relax in the home of a village family and sample wholesome, country fare with home made wine and plum brandy.
National parks encompass extensive areas of particular geographical interest or outstanding natural beauty. They have an important conservation role and offer protection to many rare species of animals and plants. In addition to nature conservation, Romania’s natural parks also play an important role in preserving local customs, traditional crafts, historical settlement patterns, and regional architecture.
Most of Romania’s national parks have arrangements for outdoor activities with a network of marked paths and trails and overnight accommodation in either staffed lodges or local guesthouses. In vulnerable areas where it is desirable to limit the impact of visitors, paths and accommodation are minimal.
National Parks
Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (in northeastern Romania). Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell.
Deemed masterpieces of Byzantine art, these churches are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe. Far from being merely wall decorations, the murals represent complete cycles of religious murals. The purpose of the frescoes was to make the story of the Bible and the lives of the most important Orthodox saints known to villagers by the use of images. Their outstanding composition, elegant outline and harmonious colors blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape.
Whether you are interested in religion, history, art or architecture, you will be intrigued by the construction and decor — exterior and interior — of these edifices.
The best-preserved are the monasteries in Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet. Another, a small church, is located in the village of Arbore. Seven of the churches were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1993. The eighth, Sucevita, is awaiting sanction to be added on the list.
Visitors to the Painted Monasteries will often witness a nun or a monk beating a long beam with a mallet, tapping out a call to prayer. The tradition started during the siege of Moldova by the Ottoman Empire when the Turks forbade the ringing of bells. The striking of wooden or metal bars, known as toaca, replaced the ringing of bells and thus, became a tradition, reinforced by the fact that in times of war, bells were often melted down to make cannons.
The most important Castles & Fortresses of Romania
» Bran Castle
» Calnic Fortified Church
» Cetatea de Balta
» Cisnadie Fortified Church
» Corvinesti Castle in Hunedoara
» Fagaras Fortress
» Harman Fortified Church
» Peles Castle in Sinaia
» Prejmer Fortified Church
» Rasnov Fortress
» Valea Viilor Fortified Church
» Viscri Fortified Church
The Danube Delta (Delta Dunarii) - A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
» The Danube River is the most international river on the planet - its course runs across — or forms a part of the borders of several countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and four capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade.
» Formed over a period of more than 10,000 years, the Danube Delta continues to grow due to the 67 million tons of alluvia deposited every year by the Danube River.
» The Delta is formed around the three main channels of the Danube, named after their respective ports: Chilia (in the north), Sulina (in the middle), and Sfantu Gheorghe (in the south).
» The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve has the third largest biodiversity in the world (over 5,500 flora and fauna species), exceeded only by the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador.
» The Danube Delta is home to over 60% of the world’s population of pygmy cormorants (phalacrocorax pygmeus), 50% of red-breasted geese (branta ruficollis) and the largest number of white pelicans (pelecanus onocrotalus) and Dalmatian pelicans (pelecanus crispus) in Europe.
» It also is home to the world’s largest reed bed expanse– 625, 000 acres / 240,000 ha.
» Some 15,000 people inhabit the Delta area, living in 28 villages and one city (Sulina).
» The area was first attested by Herodot of Halicarnas (484 – 425 B.C.).
» More then half of the Delta Biosphere Reserve is virtually intact.
Medieval Towns
Central Romania encompasses what is popularly known as Transylvania – a place that immediately brings to mind the legend of Count Dracula. While the legend is certainly intriguing and a genuine tourist attraction, the region has much more to offer. Some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, most notably Sighisoara, Brasov and Sibiu, are located here.
Visitors can marvel at Transylvania’s unique architectural treasures, such as castles, fortified churches and centuries-old houses, while exploring sites where more than 900 years ago Saxon craftsmen and merchants established powerful and rich citadels.
During the middle of the 12th century Saxons came to the area from the Luxembourg, Lorraine, Moselle, Rhine and Wallonia regions of northwestern Europe. They called their new home ‘Siebenburgen’ after the seven major walled towns they built here:
» Bistrita (Bistritz)
» Brasov (Kronstadt)
» Cluj Napoca(Klausenburg)
» Medias (Mediasch)
» Sebes (Seh besh')
» Sibiu (Hermannstadt)
» Sighisoara (Schassburg)
Romania’s national and natural parks, displaying a unique variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife, protect some of the largest remaining areas of pristine forest in Europe. Grasslands, gorges, subterranean caves, volcanic lakes, and extensive river network add to the richness of the park system that also includes the Danube Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Europe’s largest wetland. Romania’s diverse natural landscapes offer numerous choices for exciting outdoor experiences. Travelers can walk through serene alpine meadows covered with scores of wildflowers, trek around glacial lakes, take in the lush-green scenery while horse riding or mountain biking, climb curious rock formations, photograph fossil traces of 15,000-year old cave-bear species, track gold eagles or other rare birds, study endangered flora, wander in the countryside, picnic in the fields, try your hand at traditional crafts, - or just relax in the home of a village family and sample wholesome, country fare with home made wine and plum brandy.
National parks encompass extensive areas of particular geographical interest or outstanding natural beauty. They have an important conservation role and offer protection to many rare species of animals and plants. In addition to nature conservation, Romania’s natural parks also play an important role in preserving local customs, traditional crafts, historical settlement patterns, and regional architecture.
Most of Romania’s national parks have arrangements for outdoor activities with a network of marked paths and trails and overnight accommodation in either staffed lodges or local guesthouses. In vulnerable areas where it is desirable to limit the impact of visitors, paths and accommodation are minimal.
National Parks
- Cheile Bicazului (Bicazului Gorges) – Hasmas
- Calimani
- Ceahlau
- Cozia
- Domogled – Valea Cernei (Cerna Valley)
- Muntii Macin (Macin Mountains)
- Cheile Nerei (Nerei Gorges) – Beusnita
- Piatra Craiului
- Retezat
- Muntii Rodnei (Rodnei Mountains)
- Cheile Semenic - Carasului (Semenic – Carasului Gorges)
- Buila-Vanturarita
- Apuseni;
- Balta Mica a Brailei (Small Moor of Braila)
- Bucegi
- Comana
- Gradistea Muncelului-Cioclovina
- Lunca Muresului
- Muntii Maramuresului (Maramures Mountains)
- Portile de Fier (Iron Gates)
- Vanatori Neamt
Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (in northeastern Romania). Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell.
Deemed masterpieces of Byzantine art, these churches are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe. Far from being merely wall decorations, the murals represent complete cycles of religious murals. The purpose of the frescoes was to make the story of the Bible and the lives of the most important Orthodox saints known to villagers by the use of images. Their outstanding composition, elegant outline and harmonious colors blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape.
Whether you are interested in religion, history, art or architecture, you will be intrigued by the construction and decor — exterior and interior — of these edifices.
The best-preserved are the monasteries in Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet. Another, a small church, is located in the village of Arbore. Seven of the churches were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1993. The eighth, Sucevita, is awaiting sanction to be added on the list.
Visitors to the Painted Monasteries will often witness a nun or a monk beating a long beam with a mallet, tapping out a call to prayer. The tradition started during the siege of Moldova by the Ottoman Empire when the Turks forbade the ringing of bells. The striking of wooden or metal bars, known as toaca, replaced the ringing of bells and thus, became a tradition, reinforced by the fact that in times of war, bells were often melted down to make cannons.
