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Romania
General InformationRomania is located in southeastern Europe. The country covers an area of about 238,391 sq. km. It is bounded by Ukraine to the north; by Moldova to the east; by the Black Sea to the south east; by Bulgaria to the south; by Serbia and Montenegro to the south west; and by Hungary to the west. The capital and largest city is Bucharest. The official state language is Romanian. The unit of currency is the leu. | ||
Historical BackgroundThe history of Romania dates back to the times when it was known as Dacia and conquered by the Roman Empire between 101 and 106 AD. For the next thousand years, the Daco-Roman people were subjected to successive invasions by the Huns, Avars, Slavs, and Bulgars. From mid 13th to 19th century, the country existed as the separate principalities of Walachia and Moldavia under the successive Hungarian, Polish, Ottoman and Russian rule. The modern country of Romania was created in 1859, when Moldavia and Walachia were united. It be came fully independent in 1878. Romania was a kingdom from 1881 to 1947. In 1948, the People's Republic of Romania was proclaimed with the ruling Communist party. In the 1960s, Romania began to distance itself from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and develop its own domestic and foreign policies. In 1989, Romanians revolted against the repressive dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, and a non-communist government was installed. The first free multiparty elections took place in 1990. A new democratic Constitution was adopted in 1991. | ||
GovernmentThe head of state is a president elected by direct, popular vote for a maximum of two four-year terms. The president appoints a prime minister, who is generally the leader of the party with the majority of seats in parliament. The latter is responsible for selecting a Cabinet. The legislature is a bicameral National Assembly that consists of a 346-member Chamber of Deputies and a 143-member Senate. Members of both chambers are elected for a four-year term according to proportional representation. The judicial system includes the High Court of Justice and Cassation as the highest court of appeal and the Constitutional Court. The system has a county courts and several lower courts, or courts of first instance. The country also has 15 circuits of appellate courts. Romania is administratively divided into 40 counties and the municipality of Bucharest. Each unit has its own local government, as do cities, towns, and communes (rural areas), within each county. | ||
Population
In 2006, the population of Romania was estimated at 21,6 mln. An average population density is 94 persons per sq. km. Some 55 percent of the population reside in urban areas. Ethnic Romanians constitute about 89 percent of the population. The remainder comprises Hungarians (7 percent), Roma (2 percent), Germans (less than 1 percent), Ukrainians, Ruthenians, Russians, Serbs, Croats, Turks, Bulgarians, Tatars, and Slovaks. Nearly 70 percent of the population belong to the Romanian Orthodox Church. Approximately 6 percent, including much of the Hungarian population, are Roman Catholic. Another 6 percent of the population belong to various Protestant denominations. The country also has significant numbers of adherents to the Muslim and Jewish faiths.
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EconomyAgriculture, forestry and fishing employ some 42 percent of the workforce. The principal crops are grains, potatoes, grapes, and sugar beets. Livestock raising is also important. Wine production plays a significant role in Romanian agriculture. Mining, manufacturing and construction employ some 28 percent of the workforce. Petroleum is Romania's principal mineral resource. However, its production is declining due to the gradual depletion of reserves. Natural gas is produced in significant quantities. Service sector employs some 31 percent of the workforce. Principal exports include metals and metal products, mineral products, textiles, and electrical machines and equipment. Leading purchasers of Romania's exports are Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, the Netherlands, and China. Imports include minerals, machinery and equipment, textiles, and agriculture goods. Chief sources for imports are Germany, Italy, Russia, France, the United States, and Egypt. | ||
Social SystemEducation in Romania is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 14. There are five types of secondary schooling available: general education schools, vocational schools, art schools, physical education schools, and teacher training schools. Romania has eight general universities. The University of Bucharest is the oldest one (founded in 1694; re-founded in 1864). There are also eight technical universities and a number of other institutions of higher education. Romania has a comprehensive social insurance system that includes medical care, family allowances, retirement pensions, and vacations at health resorts. | ||
Membership in International OrganisationsRomania is a member of the United Nations and a number of its specialised agencies (UN High Commissioner for Refugees, International Labour Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and International Monetary Fund), the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. It is a full member of the International Organisation for Migration. Romania is a member of the World Trade Organisation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In April 2004, the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. In 1995, Romania applied to join the European Union (EU) and entered negotiations for full EU membership in February 2000. Romania's accession as full EU member has been preliminary set for 2007. On 1 January 2007 Romania became a full-fledged Member State of the European Union. | ||
Legislation on Migration and AsylumThe migration and asylum issues are regulated by the following main legal documents:
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Participation in International and Regional InitiativesRomania participates in the following international and regional initiatives in the field of asylum, migration and border management:
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