Romania is a country located in southeastern Europe, bordering Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the northwest, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, and Moldova to the east. Its capital and largest city is Bucharest.

Romania has a population of approximately 19.5 million people, and its official language is Romanian. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural scenery, and historic landmarks.

Romania has a diverse economy with a mix of agriculture, industry, and services. The country is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, iron, and timber. It has a well-developed infrastructure, including roads, railways, airports, and ports.

Tourism is an important industry in Romania, and the country is home to many popular tourist destinations. The Danube Delta, the Carpathian Mountains, and the Black Sea coast are among the most popular tourist destinations in Romania. The country also has many historic landmarks, including the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the medieval fortified city of Sighisoara, and the ancient Dacian citadel of Sarmizegetusa Regia.

Romania has a semi-presidential democratic system of government, with the president serving as the head of state and the prime minister serving as the head of government. The country is a member of the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization.

Telephone Code
40

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

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

Currency (Code)
Lei (RON)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Plug Type CPlug Type F

Major Languages
Romanian, Hungarian, Romani

Major Religions
Eastern Orthodox 81.9%, Protestant 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%

Potable Water
Yes, but many opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Bran Castle; Sighisoara Historic Center; Palace of Parliament; Peles Castle; Merry Cemetery; Sibiu; Biertan Fortified Church; Dacian Fortresses; National Museum of Romanian History; Iron Gates in the Danube River

Major Sports
Soccer, gymnastics, handball, basketball, rugby

Cultural Practices
It is impolite to start eating immediately when seated, wait until your hosts says, "pofta buna" (good appetite).

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping 5-10% of the total bill for restaurant staff is appropriate. Hotel housekeeping should be tipped a bit per day or at the end of a longer stay. A porter expects $1 (USD) per bag to carry luggage to a room.

Souvenirs
Embroidered items, hand-painted icons and eggs, carved wooden spoons, woven carpets

Traditional Cuisine
Sarmale (cabbage rolls) — minced pork and/or poultry mixed with spices, rice, and onions, then rolled up in cabbage leaves and boiled in a sauce made of sauerkraut juice, tomato juice, and other ingredients; typically served with mamaliga (a corn flour mush) and sour cream

Geography
Area
total: 238,391 sq km
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km

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

People and Society
Population
18,326,327 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.)

Languages
Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.)

Religions
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 81.9%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformed and Pentecostal) 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
-1.01% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic

Capital
name: Bucharest

Economy
Economic overview
high-income, service- and industrial-based European economy; EU member but non-euro user until convergence criteria met; sustained growth prior to COVID-19; major FDI recipient; flat taxation structure; digital hub of Eastern Europe

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$588.451 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$30,800 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
maize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, barley, grapes, sugar beet, rapeseed, plums/sloes

Industries
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials

Exports
$115.879 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 22%, Italy 10%, France 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, insulated wiring, refined petroleum, electrical control boards, seats (2019)

Imports
$132.056 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 9%, Hungary 7%, Poland 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment (2019)