Traveling Luck for Romania. Romania, Europe
Romania is located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine.
Land in Romania is central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps.
Romanian land covers an area of 237500 square kilometers which is slightly smaller than Oregon
Romanian national flag (Flag of Romania)
As for the Romanian climate; temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms.
Romanian(s) speak Romanian (official), Hungarian, German.
Places of note in Romania
- Baia Mare
- Satu Mare
- Râmnicu Vâlcea
- Piatra Neamţ
- Drobeta-Turnu Severin
- Târgu Jiu
Regions of Romania
- Romania (general)
- Satu Mare
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.
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 for RomaniaRomania
- 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
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.
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.
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.