Data at glance of Romania - average on period

History

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. 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. Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.

Environment

Area: 238,391 km2

Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Ethnic characteristics

Groups: Romanian 89.3%, Hungarian 6%, Romani 3.4%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, other 0.9% (2021 est.)note: data represent individuals who declared an ethnic group in the 2021 national census; 13% did not respond; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population

Languages: Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.)major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Romanian)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.note: data represent individuals who declared a maternal language in the 2021 national census; 13.1% did not respond

Religions: Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.)note: data represent individuals who declared a religion in the 2021 national census; 13.9% did not respond

Government

Capital: Bucharest

Government type: semi-presidential republic

Executive branch

Chief of state: President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025)

Head of government: Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelection/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliamentmost recent election date: 18 May 2025election results: 2025: Nicușor DAN elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Nicușor DAN (unaffiliated) 53.6%, George SIMION (AUR) 46.4%2019: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%expected date of next election: 2030note: the prime ministerial position will be rotated in 2027 from BOLOJAN to another coalition party member as part of a power-sharing agreement

Legislative branch

Description: legislature name: Parliament of Romania (Parlamentul României)legislative structure: bicameral