Geography

2. Geography • Romania is in southeast Europe and is slightly smaller than Oregon. The Carpathian Mountains divide Romania's upper half from north to south and connect near the center of the country with the Transylvanian Alps, running east and west. North and west of these ranges lies the Transylvanian plateau, and to the south and east are the plains of Moldavia and Walachia. In its last 190 mi (306 km), the Danube River flows through Romania only. It enters the Black Sea in northern Dobruja, just south of the border with

3. Romania subsequently signed the Axis Pact on Nov. 23, 1940, and the following June joined in Germany's attack on the Soviet Union, reoccupying Bessarabia. About 270,000 Jews were massacred in Fascist Romania. Following the invasion of Romania by the Red Army in Aug. 1944, King Michael led a coup that ousted the Antonescu government. An armistice with the Soviet Union was signed in Moscow on Sept. 12, 1944. A Communist-dominated government bloc won elections in 1946, Michael abdicated on Dec. 30, 1947, and in 1955 Romania joined the Warsaw Treaty Organization and the United Nations. • Running a neo-Stalinist police state from 1967–1989,

4. Following inconclusive general elections in November 2008, economist and former prime minister was asked by President Basescu to form a new cabinet. On December 15, Stolojan withdrew from the race and Emil Boc was named prime minister.

5. On July 29, 2012, a majority voted for Basescu's dismissal, but the Constitutional Court ruled the referendum invalid due to low voter turnout. Turnout was 46%, just below the 50% needed in order to make the vote valid. Basescu returned to office on Aug. 27, 2012. It was the second referendum Basescu had faced. In 2007, 74% of the voters elected to keep him in office. • As a result of Dec. 2012 parliamentary elections, the new year brought a ruling alliance of social democrats and liberals, with President TraianBasescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta agreeing to cooperate on common goals, and follow a code of good manners.

6. GeographyRomania is a southeastern country situated in the Carpathian Mountains, with several high-elevation ranges and its highest point at Moldoveanu Peak, 2,544 meters (8,346 feet) above sea level. The other geographic zones of Romania include the plateaus of Moldavia and Transylvania, and the plains of Wallachia and Pannonia. Romania has large regions of undisturbed forests, which are home to a variety of plant and animal life.The Danube River flows along the border with Serbia and Bulgaria, before emptying into the Black Sea at one of Europe's most important deltas. Romania is also home to the Prut, Siret, Olt, Somes, and Mures Rivers. Romania's largest lakes are the Razelm-Sinoe, while the country is also home to glacial and volcanic lakes.Points of InterestRomania is home to many historic sites and vibrant cities. Its capital, Bucharest features architecture from medieval and neo-classical styles in its historical center and Revolution Square, as well as its Parliament Palace, Atheneum, and the Arch of Triumph. Bucharest also has several ornate churches, like CurteaVeche and the Patriarchal Cathedral.

7. Some of Romania's earliest civilizations were the Getae tribe, of Thracian origins, who lived in the Dacian Kingdom, which included modern-day Romania and neighboring nations. • Dacia rose to power in the region beginning in about 82 BCE. Under Trajan's rule, the Roman Empire conquered Dacia by 106 AD, plundering its gold and silver and ruling it until 275 AD. Around that time, the Goths took control of Dacia, until the Huns came along in the 4th century.The Middle Ages brought the division of the region into the principalities of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania. While Transylvania became part of the Kingdom of Hungary, Wallachia came under Ottoman rule as an autonomous region, with Vlad III the Impaler (Dracula) as its prince in the mid 1400s. Around that same time, Moldavia was ruled by Stephen the Great, who was in power for 47 years and had a serious impact on the region. When he died in 1504, Moldavia too became

8. Another major city in Romania is Cluj-Napoca, which is in the Transylvania region. Union Square in the central district of Cluj-Napoca is home to St. Michaels Church and the statue of Matthias Corvinus, while other architectural attractions include the city's Orthodox Cathedral, and the National Ethnography Park. There are also several fortresses and castles around the city, as well as plenty of shopping and dining. Also in Transylvania is Brasov, which is a resort town in the mountains, and the famous home of the legendary Dracula, Bran Castle.TransportationRomania's main airport is Henri CoandaOtopeni Airport in Bucharest, followed by TraianVuia International and Cluj-Napoca International. These airports serve many major cities across Europe, as well as many smaller regional airports. Railway is another great way to get into and around Romania, with service to cities in Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, and Turkey. Within Romania, regional rail is less developed and not as efficient. Since Romania is such a large country, driving by bus or car can take a very long time, and driving in cities can be complicated. Bus tends to be a less expensive way to travel, and taxis are readily available and fairly cheap. In major cities, particularly the capital Bucharest, the public transportation systems are fairly well developed with metro rails, buses, and trams providing a good network.

9. Romania is located in the region separating Central and Southeastern Europe. Located on the Lower Danube, it shares its borders with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and east, and Bulgaria to the south.

11. Most of Romania was the Roman province of Dacia from about A.D. 100 to 271. From the 3rd to the 12th century, wave after wave of barbarian conquerors overran the native Daco-Roman population. Subjection to the first BulgaRoman population. Subjection to the first Bulgarian Empire (8th–10th century) broughnativeDaco-Roman population. Subjection to the first Bulgarian Empire (8th–10th century) brought Eastern Orthodox Christianity to the Romanians. In the 11tBasescu had faced. In 2007, 74% of the voters electedh century, Transylvania was absorbed into the Hungariabsorbed into the Hungarian empire. By the 16th century, the main Romanian principalities of Moldavia and Walachia had become satellites within the Ottoman Empire, although they retained much independence. After the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829, they became Russian an empire. By the 16th centuryabsorbed into the Hungarian empire. By the 11th

12. , 1918, gave Romania vast territories from Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, doubling its size. The areas acquired included Bessarabia, Transylvania, and Bukovina. The Banat, a Hungarian area, was divided with Yugoslavia. King Carol II was crowned in 1930 and transformed the throne into a royal dictatorship. In 1938, he abolished the democratic constitution of 1923. In 1940, the country was reorganized along Fascist lines, and the Fascist Iron Guard became the nucleus of the new totalitarian party. On June 27, the d in 1916

13. kingdom in 1881 after the Congress of Berlin. • At the start of World War I, Romania proclaimed its neutrality, but it later joined the Allied side and in 1916 declared war on the Central Powers. The armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, gave Romania vast territories from Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, doubling its size. The areas acquired included Bessarabia, Transylvania, and Bukovina. The Banat, a Hungarian area, was divided with Yugoslavia. King Carol II was crowned in 1930 and transformed the throne into a royal dictatorship. In 1938, he abolished the democratic constitution of 1923. In 1940, the country was reorganized along Fascist lines, and the Fascist Iron Guard became the nucleus of the new totalitarian party. On June 27, the Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia

14. At the start of World War I, Romania proclaimed its neutrality, but it later joined the Allied side and in 1916 declared war on the Central Powers. The armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, gave Romania vast territories from Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, doubling its size. The areas acquired included Bessarabia, Transylvania, and Bukovina. The Banat, a Hungarian area, was divided with Yugoslavia. King Carol II was crowned in 1930 and transformed the throne into a royal dictatorship. In 1938, he abolished the democratic constitution of 1923. In 1940, the country was reorganized along Fascist lines, and the Fascist Iron Guard became the nucleus of the new totalitarian party. On June 27, the Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia and northern Bukovina. King Carol II dissolved parliament, granted

15. reoccupying Bessarabia. About 270,000 Jews were massacred in Fascist Romania. Following the invasion of Romania by the Red Army in Aug. 1944, King Michael led a coup that ousted the Antonescu government. An armistice with the Soviet Union was signed in Moscow on Sept. 12, 1944. A Communist-dominated government bloc won elections in 1946, Michael abdicated on Dec. 30, 1947, and in 1955 Romania joined the Warsaw Treaty Organization and the United Nations. Running a neo-Stalinist police state from 1967–1989, Nicolae Ceausescu wound the iron curtain tightly around Romania, turning a moderately prosperous country into one at the brink of starvation. To repay his $10 billion

16. reoccupying Bessarabia. About 270,000 Jews were massacred in Fascist Romania. Following the invasion of Romania by the Red Army in Aug. 1944, King Michael led a coup that ousted the Antonescu government. An armistice with the Soviet Union was signed in Moscow on Sept. 12, 1944. A Communist-dominated government bloc won elections in 1946, Michael abdicated on Dec. 30, 1947, and in 1955 Romania joined the Warsaw Treaty Organization and the United Nations. • Running a neo-Stalinist police state from 1967–1989, Nicolae Ceausescu wound the iron curtain tightly around Romania, turning a moderately prosperous country into one at the brink of starvation. To repay his $10 billion