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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.ro

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

57,470 (2006)

Internet users [time series]

4.94 million (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: rapidly improving domestic and international service, especially in wireless telephony domestic: 90% of telephone network is automatic; liberalization in 2003 is transforming telecommunications; there has been 20% growth in fixed lines with a penetration rate of 58% of households; nation-wide wireless service is growing even faster with four major providers and a penetration rate of 32% international: country code - 40; satellite earth station - 10 (Intelsat 4); digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2005)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

4.391 million (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

13.354 million (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep

Budget [time series]

revenues: $29.97 billion expenditures: $31.37 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2005 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

leu (ROL) is being phased out in 2006; "new" leu (RON) was introduced in 2005 due to currency revaluation: 10,000 ROL = 1 RON

Current account balance [time series]

$-8.2 billion (2005)

Debt - external [time series]

$35.68 billion (2005 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

28.8 (2003)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$3.3 billion in committed EU pre-accession aid (2004-06)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept GDP growth above 4%. An IMF standby agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and the curbing of inflation. The IMF Board approved Romania's completion of the standby agreement in October 2003, the first time Romania has successfully concluded an IMF agreement since the 1989 revolution. In July 2004, the executive board of the IMF approved a 24-month standby agreement for $367 million. IMF concerns about Romania's tax policy and budget deficit led to a breakdown of this agreement in 2005. In the past, the IMF has criticized the government's fiscal, wage, and monetary policies. Meanwhile, macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty, while corruption and red tape continue to handicap the business environment. Romanian government confidence in continuing disinflation was underscored by its currency revaluation in 2005, making 10,000 "old" lei equal 1 "new" leu.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

37.5 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports [time series]

3.3 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports [time series]

380 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - production [time series]

57 billion kWh (2004)

Exchange rates [time series]

lei per US dollar - 3 (2005), 3 (2004), 3 (2003), 3 (2002), 3 (2001)

Exports [time series]

$31.2 billion f.o.b. (2005)

Exports - commodities [time series]

textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products

Exports - partners [time series]

Italy 19.4%, Germany 14%, Turkey 7.9%, France 7.4%, UK 5.5%, Hungary 4.1%, US 4.1% (2005)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$72.7 billion (2005 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$181.8 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 10.1% industry: 35% services: 54.9% (2004 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$8,100 (2005 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.1% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 27.6% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$41 billion f.o.b. (2005)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, basic metals, agricultural products

Imports - partners [time series]

Italy 15.5%, Germany 14%, Russia 8.3%, France 6.8%, Turkey 4.9%, China 4.1% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.9% (2005 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

9% (2005)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

24.3% of GDP (2005 est.)

Labor force [time series]

9.31 million (2005 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 31.6% industry: 30.7% services: 37.7% (2004)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

18.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

5.9 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

13.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

300 billion cu m (yearend 2004)

Oil - consumption [time series]

212,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

163,000 bbl/day bbl/day (2004)

Oil - production [time series]

119,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

500 million bbl (yearend 2004)

Population below poverty line [time series]

At-risk-of-poverty rate after social transfers 12% (2003 est.)

Public debt [time series]

20.3% of GDP (2005 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$21.6 billion (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.7% (2005 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 237,500 sq km land: 230,340 sq km water: 7,160 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

225 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

46 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine

Irrigated land [time series]

30,770 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 39.49% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.59% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea

Capital [time series]

name: Bucharest geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas F. TAUBMAN embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 information office: Cluj-Napoca

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniela GITMAN chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Calin Popescu-TARICEANU (since 29 December 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004, with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held November-December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian NASTASE 48.77%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin; kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies

Legal system [time series]

former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (332 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 28 November 2004 (next expected to be held in November 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 28 November 2004 (next expected to be held November 2008) election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PUR 37.1%, PNL-PD 31.8%, PRM 13.6%, UDMR 6.2%; seats by party - PSD 44, PNL 30, PD 20, PRM 20, PC 11, UDMR 10, independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PUR 36.8%, PNL-PD 31.5%, PRM 13%, UDMR 6.2%; seats by party - PSD 111, PNL 66, PD 45, PRM 34, ex-PRM (Ciontu Group) 12, UDMR 22, PC 20, PIN (GUSA Group) 3, independent 1, ethnic minorities 18

National holiday [time series]

Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Conservative Party or PC [Dan VOICULESCU], formerly Humanist Party or PUR; Democratic Party or PD [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Calin Popescu-TARICEANU]; Romania Mare Party (Greater Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA], formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

various human rights and professional associations

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. 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 March of 2004 and completed accession talks with the European Union (EU) in December 2004; it is scheduled to accede to the EU in 2007.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 20-49: 5,061,984 females age 20-49: 4,975,427 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 20-49: 3,932,579 females age 20-49: 4,076,288 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 172,093 females age 20-49: 165,547 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aerienne Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2006)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2.47% (2002)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

all military inductees (including women) are volunteers who contract for an initial five-year term of service; subsequent voluntary service contracts are for successive three-year terms until the age of 36; minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 (2006)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.7% (male 1,799,072/female 1,708,030) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 7,724,368/female 7,797,065) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,347,392/female 1,927,625) (2006 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.7 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate [time series]

11.77 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

350 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

6,500 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 25.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Languages [time series]

Romanian (official), Hungarian, German

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.63 years male: 68.14 years female: 75.34 years (2006 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 99.1% female: 97.7% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 36.6 years male: 35.3 years female: 37.9 years (2006 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Population [time series]

22,303,552 (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.12% (2006 est.)

Religions [time series]

Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.37 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Romania and Ukraine have taken their dispute over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary to the ICJ for adjudication; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea; Hungary amended the status law extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Romania, to which Romania had objected

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos

Transportation

Airports [time series]

61 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 23 (2006)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2006)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 23 ships (1000 GRT or over) 198,767 GRT/246,732 DWT by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 15, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Italy 1) registered in other countries: 48 (Georgia 11, North Korea 11, Malta 9, Panama 9, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Syria 3, unknown 4) (2006)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2006)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea

Railways [time series]

total: 11,385 km standard gauge: 10,898 km 1.435-m gauge (3,888 km electrified) broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2005)

Roadways [time series]

total: 198,817 km paved: 60,043 km (including 228 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2003)

Waterways [time series]

1,731 km note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2005)