Overview
Romania is a country located in Central and Southeastern Europe. It lies on the lower course of the Danube River, north of the Balkan Peninsula, and on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea. The country borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to the east, and the Black Sea to the southeast.
As the twelfth-largest country in Europe by area, Romania covers 238,397 km² (92,046 mi²) and is the sixth-most populous member state of the European Union, with 19 million inhabitants. The capital and largest city is Bucharest, which also serves as the country's economic centre. Other major cities include Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Constanța, Timișoara, and Brașov.
History
Romania has a rich and complex history spanning thousands of years. Human remains found in Peștera cu Oase ("Cave with Bones") are radiocarbon-dated to circa 40,000 years ago and represent the oldest known Homo sapiens in Europe. The region was later settled during the Lower Paleolithic period and eventually became Dacia before Roman conquest.
The modern Romanian state was formally established in 1859 with the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia under Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Romania became the Kingdom of Romania in 1881 under Carol I and gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877, formalized by the Treaty of Berlin. Following World War I, the territories of Transylvania, Banat, Bukovina, and Bessarabia joined the kingdom, creating Greater Romania at its largest territorial extent.
During World War II, Romania lost territories to Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Soviet Union in 1940 under Axis pressure. However, the country switched sides to join the Allies following the Act of 23 August. After the war, Romania regained Northern Transylvania through the Paris Peace Treaties. Under Soviet occupation, King Michael I was forced to abdicate, and the country became a socialist republic and Warsaw Pact member. Romania transitioned to liberal democracy following the fall of communism and the Romanian revolution in 1989.
Government and International Relations
Romania is a developed country with a high-income economy and is widely regarded as a middle power in international relations. The country is a member of several major international organizations, including the European Union, NATO, and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
Culture and Economy
Romania possesses 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reflecting its significant cultural and historical importance. The country has developed a strong presence in global technology and automotive sectors. Romania is a global net exporter of automotive parts and has become an increasingly prominent technology centre, notable for offering some of the fastest internet speeds in the world.