Romania

The Carpathian Jewel of the Balkans with Latin Roots and EU Aspirations

Romania is a Southeastern European country situated at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Balkan Europe. Bordered by Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and the Black Sea, Romania is known for its rich Latin heritage, Carpathian Mountains, and medieval castles. As a member of the EU and NATO, it is playing a growing role in regional diplomacy, energy security, and digital modernization.

Formation and Historical Background

  • Origin of name: Derived from “Romanus” (citizen of Rome) due to Roman conquest of Dacia in 106 AD.

  • United as the Kingdom of Romania in 1881.

  • Shifted between monarchic, fascist, and communist regimes in the 20th century.

  • Communist rule ended with the Romanian Revolution of 1989.

  • Joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007.

  • Currently pursuing Schengen and Eurozone integration.

Administrative Information

Attribute Details
Country Name Romania
Capital Bucharest
Continent Europe (Southeast)
Official Language Romanian
Currency Romanian Leu (RON)
Area Approx. 238,397 sq. km
Population Approx. 18.6 million (2025 est.)
Time Zone Eastern European Time (UTC+2)
ISO Code RO
Internet TLD .ro
Calling Code +40

Religious Affiliation (Estimated)

Religion Population Share
Eastern Orthodox Christianity ~81%
Roman Catholic ~4.5%
Protestant (Reformed, Baptist) ~3.5%
Other / Unaffiliated ~11%

Government and Leadership

Position Current Officeholder (as of 2025)
President Klaus Iohannis
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu
Government Type Semi-presidential republic
Legislature Parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate)
Judiciary High Court of Cassation and Justice, Constitutional Court

Administrative Divisions (Counties)

Romania is divided into:

  • 41 counties (județe)

  • 1 municipality: Bucharest (the capital, with special administrative status)

List of Counties:

  1. Alba

  2. Arad

  3. Argeș

  4. Bacău

  5. Bihor

  6. Bistrița-Năsăud

  7. Botoșani

  8. Brașov

  9. Brăila

  10. Buzău

  11. Caraș-Severin

  12. Călărași

  13. Cluj

  14. Constanța

  15. Covasna

  16. Dâmbovița

  17. Dolj

  18. Galați

  19. Giurgiu

  20. Gorj

  21. Harghita

  22. Hunedoara

  23. Ialomița

  24. Iași

  25. Ilfov

  26. Maramureș

  27. Mehedinți

  28. Mureș

  29. Neamț

  30. Olt

  31. Prahova

  32. Sălaj

  33. Satu Mare

  34. Sibiu

  35. Suceava

  36. Teleorman

  37. Timiș

  38. Tulcea

  39. Vaslui

  40. Vâlcea

  41. Vrancea

Each county is further subdivided into municipalities, towns, and communes with locally elected mayors and councils.

Local Government Structure

  • Counties led by Presidents of County Councils (elected) and Prefects (appointed by central government).

  • Cities and communes governed by elected mayors and local councils.

  • Romania follows a decentralized administrative model, encouraged by EU regional development programs.

Leadership & Governance

  • Reforms focused on:

    • Judicial independence and anti-corruption (via National Anti-Corruption Directorate)

    • Digital public services

    • EU and NATO military alignment

  • Rising regional role in Black Sea security and Ukraine support

Law Enforcement & Safety

  • Primary bodies:

    • Romanian Police

    • Gendarmerie

    • Border Police

    • Domestic Intelligence Service (SRI)

  • Considered safe for residents and tourists

  • Ongoing efforts to curb organized crime and cybercrime

Economy & Industry

  • Key sectors:

    • Automotive (Dacia, Ford)

    • IT and software outsourcing

    • Agriculture – cereals, fruits, wine

    • Energy – gas, hydro, nuclear

    • Tourism

  • GDP (2024): Approx. USD 370 billion

  • Strengths:

    • Competitive wages, EU access

    • Skilled labor and digital transition

  • Challenges:

    • Bureaucracy, rural underdevelopment, emigration

Education & Institutions

  • Compulsory education: Ages 6–16

  • High literacy rate (~99%)

  • Renowned institutions:

    • University of Bucharest

    • Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca)

    • Politehnica University of Bucharest

  • Increasing internationalization and EU education alignment

Healthcare

  • Public healthcare with optional private services

  • Funded by National Health Insurance Fund

  • Major hospitals:

    • Floreasca Emergency Hospital (Bucharest)

    • County Hospitals in Cluj, Timișoara, Iași

  • Issues: medical staff migration, urban-rural disparity, aging infrastructure

Transport & Connectivity

  • Road: Extensive network, ongoing highway expansion

  • Rail: National network under modernization

  • Airports:

    • Henri Coandă International (Bucharest)

    • Cluj, Timișoara, Iași, and Constanța for regional travel

  • Black Sea Port:

    • Constanța Port – EU’s largest Black Sea port

Tourism & Attractions

Natural:

  • Carpathian Mountains – hiking, skiing, wildlife

  • Danube Delta – UNESCO biosphere

  • Black Sea coast – beaches and resorts

Cultural & Historical:

  • Bran Castle (Dracula), Peleș Castle, Painted Monasteries of Bucovina

  • Sibiu, Brașov, Sighișoara – medieval towns

  • Vibrant folk traditions, festivals, Orthodox Easter celebrations

Culture & Lifestyle

  • Ethnic Groups: Romanian (~89%), Hungarian (~6%), Roma (~3%), others

  • Language:

    • Romanian (official, Latin script)

    • Hungarian and Romani spoken regionally

  • Cuisine: Mămăligă (polenta), sarmale (stuffed cabbage), mititei (grilled rolls), cozonac (sweet bread)

  • Cultural Identity: Strong in literature, classical music, Orthodox faith, and village traditions

Summary

Romania is a resilient European democracy with a deep historical legacy, strategic location, and growing digital economy. As it enhances its regional and EU role, Romania continues to balance modernization with rich traditions, emerging as a pillar of Eastern Europe’s democratic future.