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Official Name: Romania
Location: Romania is situated in
the southeastern part of Central Europe and shares borders with
Hungary to the northwest, Yugoslavia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the
south, the Black Sea and Ukraine to the southeast and to the north and
the Republic of Moldova to the east.
Time Zone: GMT + 2
Area:
237,502 sq. km
Form of Government
Republic
with
two legislative bodies:Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Population:
21,700,000 (2002).
There
are 263 towns in Romania out of which 25 have a population of
more than 100,000 while 8 cities count more than 300,000 inhabitants. 45
% of Romanians live in rural areas: 2,868 communes and 13,285 villages.
The administrative divisions are called "judete" (counties). There
are 41 counties in Romania.
Capital:
Bucharest (Bucuresti) has the status of a county.
Language:
Romanian, a Latin based language which is a continuation
of the Latin spoken in ancient times in Dacia and Moesia the eastern
provinces of the Roman Empire.
A 31-letter Latin alphabet is in use.
Ethnic minorities (Hungarian and German) use their own languages in
school and civil administration.
Literacy rate in Romania is 98%.
Ethnic
Groups:
Romanian 89%, Hungarian 7.5%, Gipsy 1.9%, German, Other 1.6%
Religions:
Christian Orthodox 87%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 5%, Jewish
Official Language:
Romanian
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Travel formalities
American and
Canadian citizens as well as citizens of most European countries do not
need an entry visa to visit Romania (for stays up to 90 - ninety -
days).
However, a valid passport is required for all international visitors
except for citizens of the countries of the European Union who can enter
Romania with their Identity Card.
No vaccinations are required/ necessary.
There is no Entry or Departure Tax.
Extensions of stays beyond 90 days can be obtained from the local
passport office.
Citizens of other countries should check the visa regulations that apply
to them with the nearest Romanian diplomatic office.
For more visa information and a list of Romanian diplomatic offices
abroad, please, visit
www.mae.ro. |
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When to come
Romania is a year-round tourist destination. From
the end of April
to the end of
October are
the most popular sightseeing periods,
with generally mild and pleasant temperatures.
Summers can be
hot especially in Southern Romania, including Bucharest, but along the
Black Sea Coast, sea breezes offer moderate temperatures. The mountain
resorts and higher elevation areas are warm and pleasant during summer.
Winters
can be very cold, especially in the mountains and snow is common
throughout the country from December to mid March. Skiers can usually
enjoy their favorite sport in the Carpathian Mountain resorts from
December until April.
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Climate
Romania has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
Spring is pleasant with cool mornings and nights and warm days.
Summer is quite warm, with extended sunny days. The hottest areas
in summer are the lowlands in southern and eastern Romania where 100 F
is often reached in July and August. Temperatures are always cooler in
the mountains.
Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colorful
foliage.
Winters can be cold, especially in the mountains. While not the
rule, abundant snowfalls may occur throughout the country, from December
to mid-March. Warmest month: July
Coldest month: January
Record High Temperature: 44.5°C (112°F) - August 10, 1951
South-Eastern Romania
Record Low Temperature: -38.5°C (-37.3°F) - January 24, 1942
(Central Romania)
History
10,000 B.C.
date of the first known art in present day Romania: cave paintings in
northwest Transylvania.
4,000 B.C. date of pottery (dated to the Neolithic Age) that is
found in all regions of Romania.
3,000 B.C. Thracian tribes of Indo-European origin, who
migrated from Asia, occupied the actual territory of Romania.
2,000 B.C. a distinctive Thracian sub-group emerged in what is
now Romania. The Greeks called these people Getae, but to the
Romans they were Dacians. Herodotus, the historian,
called them "the fairest and most courageous of men"
because they believed in the immortality of the soul and were not afraid
to die.
700 B.C.
Greeks arrived and settled near the Black Sea. The cities of
Histria, Tomis (now Constanta) and Callatis (now Mangalia) were
established. Western-style civilization developed significantly.
70-44 B.C. King Burebista controlled the territory of
modern-day Romania. Burebista created a powerful Dacian kingdom.
100 A.D. Dacian civilization reaches its peak.
101-106 A.D. Romans conquer and colonize Dacia (today's
Romania). Dacia becomes a Roman province and Dacians adopt the
conquerors' language.
106-274 A.D. Dacia is a province of the Roman Empire.
271 A.D. after fighting off the barbarian Goths, Roman
troops abandon Dacia.
4th Century Christianity is adopted by the
Daco-Roman.
4th-10th Centuries nomadic tribes from
Asia and Europe (Goths, Visigoths, Huns, Slavs, Magyars) invade
Dacia.
11th Century Hungarian (Magyar) forces invade
northeastern and central Romania (Transylvania).
12th Century Saxon (German) settlers begin to
establish several towns in Transylvania. (Germans were invited to settle
in Transylvania the king of Hungary who wanted to consolidate his
position in the newly occupied territory).
13th Century The first formal division of the
formerly unified Romanian population. The principalities of
Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania are established. Transylvania
becomes an autonomous principality under Magyar rule, until 1526.
14th-15th Centuries Wallachia and
Moldavia offered strong resistance to the Ottoman Empire
expansion.
16th Century Threatened by the Turks who conquered
Hungary, the three Romanian provinces of Wallachia, Moldova and
Transylvania are able to retain their autonomy by paying tribute to the
Turks.
17th Century Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania are
briefly united under Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave), prince of
Wallachia.
18th Century Transylvania and the northern part of
Moldavia (called Bucovina) are incorporated in the Hapsburg
Empire.
1821 Moldavia looses its eastern territory, Bessarabia, to
Russia.
1848 Transylvania falls under the direct rule of Hungary and a
strong push for Magyarisation (of names and official language), from
Budapest, follows.
1859 Alexandru Ioan Cuza is elected to the thrones of Moldavia
and Wallachia.
1862 Wallachia and Moldavia unite to form a national
state: ROMANIA.
1866 Carol I (German born) succeeds Alexandru Ioan Cuza, as
prince of Romania.
1881 Romania becomes a Kingdom. 1914
During of King Ferdinand I (1914-1927). Romania enters WWI on the side
of the Triple Entente aiming to regain its lost territories (part of
Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina).
1918 During large public assemblies representatives of most
towns, villages and local communities in Transylvania, Bessarabia and
Bucovina declare union with Romania.
1930 Carol II, Ferdinand's I son becomes king of Romania.
1939 Germany demands a monopoly on Romanian exports (mainly
oil, lumber and agricultural products) in exchange for the guarantee of
its borders.
1940 The Soviet Union annexes Basarabia and Northern Bucovina.
Germany and Italy force Romania to cede Northern Transylvania to Hungary
and Southern Dobrogea to Bulgaria.
1941 Marshall Ion Antonescu imposes a military dictatorship. In
order to regain Basarabia, Romania joins Germany against the Soviet
Union.
1944 King Michael engineers a royal coup and arrests Marshall
Ion Antonescu. Romania changes sides and joins Soviet forces against
Fascist Germany.
1945 The Yalta Agreement makes Romania part of the
Soviet system.
1947 With Soviet troops on its territory, Romania enters the
sphere of influence of the Soviet Union. The communists, who
gradually took power, force King Michael to abdicate and
proclaim Romania a People's Republic.
1947 1989 Romania was a socialist and communist country.
1989 Romanian revolution against the communism and his
leader Nicolae Ceausescu, started at Timisoara on 16th of
December.
1991 Romanians vote for a new Constitution. |
Money:
Romania's currency
is Leu (plural "Lei").
Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange
offices. International airports and larger hotels also offer
currency exchange services.
Official exchange rates announced by the National Bank of Romania
ATM
(Bancomat):
ATM machines are available at main banks and at
airports and shopping centers. Do not expect to find ATMs in remote
areas or villages.
Credit cards:
Major credit cards
including American Express, Mastercard and Visa are
accepted in large hotels, travel companies and stores in the main
cities. However, credit cards are unlikely to prove useful in small
towns or away from tourist areas.
Travelers' Checks:
Preferably in Euros or US dollars , Travelers'
Checks can be cashed in large banks, some hotels and selected exchange
offices but most of them charge considerable commissions. Do not count
on cashing such checks outside Bucharest and a few other major cities.
For travel around the country it is a good idea to carry cash. Small
stores and restaurants might accept
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 V; 50 cycles.
Outlets take plugs with two round prongs. A plug & power adapter is
necessary for most appliances requiring 110 V.
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Festivals & Events
Major festivals throughout the year include:
June:
The Traditional
Crafts Fair Crafts enthusiasts from all over Romania gather at the
Village Museum in Bucharest to offer free demonstrations of traditional
woodcarving, textile weaving and embroidering, pottery molding, egg
painting and more.
July:
Bucharest of Old
Celebration of the city as it was 150 years ago. Parade of 1800s
costumes, horse-drawn carriages, traditional food, music and special
performances.
Medieval Days Three-day celebration of medieval arts, crafts,
music. Recreating the atmosphere of medieval Sighisoara using medieval
arts, music, and crafts.
The Maidens' Fair (Targul de Fete) Traditional
matchmaking festival where villagers in traditional costume walk up to
Gaina Mountain for dancing, feasting and choosing a mate.
August:
Dance at Prislop
(Hora de la Prislop) Traditional celebration of ties among
three of Romania's main regions: Transylvania, Moldova and Maramures;
villagers parade in traditional costume to Prislop Pass in the
Carpathian Mountains, then participate in traditional dances, singing
and feasting.
Romania's Folk Art Festival Initiation in folk art creation
(pottery molding, textile embroidering, woodcarving and more) offered,
for free, by preeminent folk artists to those interested in traditional
crafts.
September
"George Enescu"
Music International
Competition
Sambra Oilor
festival marking the return of the sheep herds from the Mountains.
October:
Halloween in
Transylvania Tours, shows and celebrations following the footsteps
of Bram Stoker's novel character, Count Dracula.
December:
Christmas
Traditions Festival.
Of all the events enjoyed during the year, folk festivals are the most
spectacular. While some festival dates remain fixed, others change year
by year so it's wise to check before your trip |
