Discover Fascinating Romania Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Romania.
Romania
Background
๐ท๐ด Romania has a rich history! It started as two principalities: Wallachia and Moldavia. ๐ฐ For centuries, they were under the rule of the Turkish Ottoman Empire until they gained their autonomy in 1856. ๐ What a monumental year! They were de facto linked in 1859, and finally came together as one nation in 1862, adopting the name Romania. ๐ Fast forward, Romania joined NATO in 2004, the European Union (EU) in 2007, and will be joining the Schengen Area in 2024. These milestones signify a journey of growth and integration into global communities!
Year of Autonomy
1856
Year of Unification
1862
Year Joined NATO
2004
Year Joined EU
2007
Year Planned to Join Schengen Area
2024
Romania's Milestones
Exports - commodities
๐โจ Romania is well-known for its diverse exports! In 2022, the country exported a range of valuable commodities that are crucial for both its economy and global trade. Here are some of the key items:
- Vehicle Parts/Accessories: These are essential components that keep vehicles running smoothly!
- Cars: Romania's automotive industry produces many cars that are shipped all over the world.
- Insulated Wire: This is important for electrical safety and functionality!
- Refined Petroleum: A crucial energy source used globally.
- Wheat: A staple food that feeds many people!
These exports contribute significantly to Romania's economy, showing the country's varied and vital role in international trade. ๐๐ช
Key Exports
Vehicle parts/accessories, Cars, Insulated wire, Refined petroleum, Wheat
Exports - partners
Romania's exports are spread across several key partners! ๐ท๐ด๐ผ In 2022, the country primarily traded with the following nations:
- Germany leads the pack with a significant 19% of exports.
- Italy follows as a close second, contributing 10%.
- Hungary is next, accounting for 7%.
- France also plays a vital role with 6%.
- Lastly, Bulgaria captures 4% of Romania's export market.
These five countries together show how Romania connects with the world through trade! ๐๐
Total Percentage of Exports
46%
Romania's Export Partners in 2022
Capital
๐๏ธ The capital of Romania is Bucharest! It's a vibrant city known for its history, culture, and beautiful architecture. Did you know that Bucharest is sometimes called the 'Paris of the East'? Itโs a lively place full of energy and charm!
Imports - commodities
Romania imports a variety of important commodities to keep its economy buzzing! ๐๐ง Let's take a look at what they bring in:
- Crude Petroleum: A vital resource for energy and fuel!
- Vehicle Parts/Accessories: Essential for keeping cars and vehicles in tip-top shape!
- Refined Petroleum: Processed for use in vehicles, heating, and more!
- Packaged Medicine: Important for healthcare and well-being! ๐
- Cars: Ready to hit the roads!
These imports reflect Romaniaโs needs and strengths in various sectors! ๐๐ช
Imported Commodities in 2022
5 categories
Climate
๐ Romania enjoys a temperate climate which means it has four distinct seasons! โ๏ธ
In the winter, it gets cold and cloudy, complete with frequent snow and fog. You might need a warm coat and maybe even some hot chocolate! โโ๏ธ
When summer rolls around, Romania transforms into a vibrant landscape with sunny days. However, don't forget your umbrella, as there are frequent showers and thunderstorms! โ๏ธ๐ง๏ธ So whether you're building a snowman or splashing in puddles, Romania's climate is sure to keep you on your toes! ๐ฆ๏ธ
Executive branch
๐ฉ Romania has two key leaders in its Executive branch: the President and the Prime Minister! ๐ท๐ด
- The chief of state is President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS, who has been in office since 21 December 2014.
- The head of government is Prime Minister Marcel CIOLACU, who started his role on 15 June 2023.
Isn't it exciting to see who leads the country and when they took charge? ๐ณ๏ธ
Current President
Klaus Werner IOHANNIS
President since
21 December 2014
Current Prime Minister
Marcel CIOLACU
Prime Minister since
15 June 2023
Legislative branch
๐ท๐ด Romania has a bicameral Parliament, which means it has two chambers! ๐ These chambers are:
- Senate with 136 seats ๐๏ธ
- Chamber of Deputies with 330 seats ๐๏ธ
Together, they contribute to shaping the laws and governance of the country! ๐โจ
Romania's Legislative Branch Seats
Natural resources
Romania is rich in natural resources! ๐ฟโจ Let's explore some of these valuable treasures:
- Petroleum: Although reserves are declining, petroleum remains an essential resource.
- Timber: Vast forests provide timber, which supports the woodworking industry. ๐ฒ
- Natural Gas: This energy source helps heat homes and power industries.
- Coal: An important energy source for electricity generation. โก
- Iron Ore: Crucial for steel production and construction.
- Salt: An essential mineral used in food preservation and industrial processes.
- Arable Land: Fertile land for agriculture, ensuring food production. ๐พ
- Hydropower: Harnessing water resources for renewable energy! ๐ง
Together, these resources contribute to Romania's economy and provide for its people!
Types of Natural Resources
8 types
Economic overview
Romania is a high-income EU member economy, making a mark on the European economic scene! ๐๐ฐ It is set to join the Schengen area in March 2024, allowing for free movement across borders! ๐ However, the journey to euro membership is still on hold due to convergence criteria. This means Romania has to meet certain economic standards before adopting the euro. ๐ถ
Currently, the country is facing persistent inflation ๐, but there's good news! The economic recovery is powered by strong domestic consumption and investments funded by the EU. ๐ช๐ต Yet, challenges remain, such as a skilled labor shortage and significant regional economic disparities. ๐
To tackle these issues, fiscal reforms are in place aimed at addressing the rising deficits. It's a balancing act as Romania maneuvers through economic changes and improvements! โ๏ธโจ
Economic status
High-income EU member economy
Schengen area membership
March 2024
Euro membership status
Delayed
Economic recovery factors
Consumption and EU-funded investments
Labor market issue
Skilled labor shortage
Fiscal reforms goal
Address rising deficits
Government type
๐ Romania operates under a semi-presidential republic system! This means that the government combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems. The President of Romania and the Prime Minister share the powers of governance, which allows for a dynamic and cooperative political environment. ๐ฅณ Democracy in action!
Ethnic groups
๐ Romania is a beautiful country with a rich tapestry of cultures! Let's take a look at its ethnic groups based on the latest information from 2021:
- Romanians make up the largest portion at 89.3%! ๐ฅณ
- Hungarians are the second biggest group, accounting for 6%.
- The Romani people contribute to 3.4% of the population. ๐ถ
- Ukrainians represent 0.3%.
- Germans are a small yet important part, making up 0.1%.
- Lastly, other ethnic groups make up 0.9%.
Isn't it fascinating to see such diversity? ๐
Percentage of Romanians
89.3%
Percentage of Hungarians
6%
Percentage of Romani
3.4%
Percentage of Ukrainians
0.3%
Percentage of Germans
0.1%
Percentage of Others
0.9%
Ethnic Groups in Romania (2021)
Religions
๐ท๐ด In Romania, the religious landscape is quite interesting! The Romanian Orthodox Church shines brightly with 85.3% of the population being members. This makes it the largest religion in the country by a long shot! Hereโs how the other religions compare:
- Roman Catholic: Only 4.5%
- Reformed: A small 3%
- Pentecostal: About 2.5%
- Other religions make up the remaining 4.7%
This colorful mix of beliefs shows the diversity found within Romania! ๐
Romanian Orthodox percentage
85.3%
Roman Catholic percentage
4.5%
Reformed percentage
3%
Pentecostal percentage
2.5%
Percentage of Other religions
4.7%
Religious Distribution in Romania (2021)
Languages
Romania has a rich tapestry of languages! ๐ The official language is Romanian, which is spoken by an impressive 91.6% of the population. However, there are also other languages spoken, including Hungarian by 6.3% of the people and Romani by 1.2%. A small 0.7% of the population speaks other languages. It's exciting to see such diversity in language! ๐ฃ๏ธโจ
Percentage of Romanian speakers
91.6%
Percentage of Hungarian speakers
6.3%
Percentage of Romani speakers
1.2%
Percentage of speakers of other languages
0.7%
Languages Spoken in Romania
Imports - partners
๐ Let's take a closer look at who Romania trades with the most for imports! ๐ท๐ด In 2022, these countries were the top partners for Romania's imports:
- Germany is at the forefront, covering 17% of Romania's imports! ๐ฉ๐ช
- Italy follows with 8%, bringing its own flavor to the mix! ๐ฎ๐น
- Next up, we have Hungary, Turkey, and Poland, each making up 6% of the imports! ๐ญ๐บ๐น๐ท๐ต๐ฑ
Wondering how these percentages add up? Letโs visualize it with a pie chart! ๐ฅง
Total Import Partners
5
Romania's Import Partners in 2022
Population
๐ Romania has a population of 18,148,155 people! That's a lot of friends and neighbors in this beautiful country! ๐ท๐ด
Total Population
18,148,155
Area
๐ Romania covers a total area of 238,391 sq km! That's like 238,391 soccer fields! โฝ
Out of this, the land area is 229,891 sq km, which is where all the fun happens, like hiking in the Carpathian Mountains or exploring medieval castles. ๐ฐ
But don't forget about the water! ๐ง Romania has 8,500 sq km of water areas, perfect for fishing, boating, and enjoying nature. ๐ฃโโ๏ธ
Isn't it amazing how much space there is to roam and explore?
Total Area
238391 sq km
Land Area
229891 sq km
Water Area
8500 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Romania's Real GDP (PPP) Over the Years
Romania's economy has been growing, and we can see this through its Real GDP! Here are the recent figures:
- In 2023, it reached a whopping $772.107 billion! ๐ฐ
- Back in 2022, it was $755.867 billion.
- And in 2021, it amounted to $726.048 billion.
With each year, Romania's economy is getting stronger and more robust! ๐
GDP in 2023
$772.107 billion
GDP in 2022
$755.867 billion
GDP in 2021
$726.048 billion
Romania's Real GDP (PPP) Growth (2021-2023)
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a closer look at Romania's Real GDP per capita! This number tells us how much money each person would have if we split the country's total economy evenly among its people.
Hereโs the exciting data showing how it has changed over the past few years:
- In 2023, itโs estimated to be $40,500! ๐
- In 2022, it was $39,700.
- In 2021, it stood at $38,000.
You can see that Romania's economy is growing year by year! This is great news for the people living in Romania! ๐ฅณ
Latest estimated Real GDP per capita (2023)
$40,500
Real GDP per capita growth from 2021 to 2023
$2,500
Romania's Real GDP Per Capita Over Years
Imports
๐ Romania's Imports Overview
Romania's imports have seen some interesting changes over the last few years! ๐ Let's take a look at how much Romania has been bringing in from other countries:
- 2023: $154.106 billion
- 2022: $149.209 billion
- 2021: $132.056 billion
As you can see, Romania's imports are increasing! Isn't that fascinating? This means Romania is getting more goods from around the world! ๐
The steady growth in imports shows how Romania is growing and becoming more connected with global trade. ๐๏ธโจ
Imports in 2023
$154.106 billion
Imports in 2022
$149.209 billion
Imports in 2021
$132.056 billion
Romania's Imports Over Time
Exports
๐ Romania is making waves when it comes to exports! In 2023, the estimated export value reached a whopping $137.337 billion. That's a significant increase from $129.286 billion in 2022 and $115.879 billion in 2021. ๐ This upward trend shows just how strong Romania's economy is and how its goods are impacting international markets! ๐
Export Value in 2023
$137.337 billion
Export Value in 2022
$129.286 billion
Export Value in 2021
$115.879 billion
Romania's Export Growth Over Years
Population growth rate
๐ Let's talk about Romania's population growth rate! In 2024, Romania is projected to have a growth rate of -0.94%. This means that more people are leaving than coming into the country! ๐ It's an interesting time for Romania; we need to keep an eye on how this affects the country's future! ๐๏ธ
Population Growth Rate
-0.94%