● Capital: Bukarest
● Language: Romanian
● Currency: Leu (1 Leu 0,21 Euro 3/2019)
● Population: 18 969 million, 80 per km² (2018)
● Surface: 238 391 km²
(Image: Flag of Romania; source: Pixabay)
Romania was formed out of the principalities of Walachei and Moldau, which became united in 1878 as a monarchy. After World War I it was joined by Transsilvania (Sieben-bürgen). In World War II Romania was allied to Germany, but changed sides in the course of the war and became an ally of the Soviet Union. That's why it was dependent on the USSR, politically and economically, after its collapse. In that time the politician Nicolae Ceausescu succeeded in getting into power. As a cruel dictator he oppressed the population. In 1989 the people demonstrated against the government and Ceausescu was assassinated.
Since 1991 Romania is independent, and in 2007 became a member of the EU.
(Image: Parliament Palace, built 1984 - 1989 at the direction of Nicolae Ceauşescu; source: Pixabay)
1075 km of the Danube flow along the Romanian border- that is more than a third of its total length- and a length of 608 km is shared with Bulgaria. A part of the Danube delta is situated on Romanian soil. Most of the big cities, however, lie remote of the river.
(Image: Danube Delta at Tulcea; source: Pixabay)
Geography: mountains (the Carpathians), forests, rocky areas
Famous people: Eugene Ionescu (playwright), Mihai Eminescu (poet), George Enescu (composer) Sergiu Celibidache (orchestra conductor), Nicolae Paulescu (inventor of insuline), Herta Müller, Peter Maffay
(Image: Castle Peleş in the Carpathians near town Sinaia; source: Pixabay)
