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Short
facts
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Location:
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Southeastern
Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine |
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Geographic coordinates:
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46
00 N, 25 00 E |
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Area:
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total:
237,500 sq km
land: 230,340 sq km
water: 7,160 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Oregon |
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Land boundaries:
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total:
2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450
km, Serbia and Montenegro 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km,
Ukraine (east) 169 km |
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Coastline:
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225
km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous
zone: 24 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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temperate;
cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers
with frequent showers and thunderstorms |
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Terrain:
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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 |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum
(reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore,
salt, arable land, hydropower |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 40.57%
permanent crops: 2.4%
other: 57.03% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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28,800
sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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earthquakes,
most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and
climate promote landslides |
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Environment - current issues:
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soil
erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in
south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta
wetlands |
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Environment - international
agreements:
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party
to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol |
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Geography - note:
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controls
most easily traversable land route between the Balkans,
Moldova, and Ukraine
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Population:
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22,271,839 (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14
years: 16.9% (male 1,932,204; female 1,838,240)
15-64 years: 69% (male 7,634,481; female 7,739,232)
65 years and over: 14% (male 1,290,343; female 1,837,339) (2003
est.) |
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Median age:
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total:
35.4 years
male: 34 years
female: 37.1 years (2002) |
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Nationality:
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noun:
Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian |
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Ethnic groups:
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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) |
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Religions:
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Eastern
Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 87%, Protestant 6.8%,
Catholic 5.6%, other (mostly Muslim) 0.4%, unaffiliated 0.2%
(2002) |
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Languages:
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Romanian
(official), Hungarian, German |
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Literacy:
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definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.4%
male: 99.1%
female: 97.7% (2003 est.)
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BALNEOLOGY
Balneology treatment and health resorts
are of the best quality in the world because of the natural factors of the climate and
natural mineral and thermal springs coming from the Charpatian Mountains.
In addition -traditional and medical
studies have produced a class of medical specialists who can help most of the modern
illnesses: rheumatic affections, digestive tract etc.
If one is ready to accept simple
accommodation for high-class medical treatment - one could earn much health improvement
easily.
Don’t forget that spa and
balneological treatment was started over 2000 years ago by the Romans - conquerors of the
world - and improved since then.
CLIMATE
The climate is temperate-continental,
characteristic of Central Europe (hot summers, cold winters, very distinct seasons,
abundant snowfalls especially in the mountains). Warmest areas are in the south. Annual
average rainfall is 677 mm, with more in the mountains (1,000-1,400m) and less on the
coast (below 400m).
CLOTHING
Clothes should be suited for the climate
of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter. In the mountains, weather can be
totally unpredictable so layers of warm clothing is essential and walking boots are
strongly recommended.
In any event clothing is good value in Romania so you can easy purchase additional items
if necessary.
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CREDIT CARDS AND TRAVELER CHECKS
American Express, Dinners Club, JBC
International, Euro -Master Card and VISA are accepted in most travel agencies, airlines,
hotels and car hire companies and in some shops, restaurants, coffee bars and exchange
offices. It is however advisable to check in advance.
credit card processin fees : 1% to 5%.
CURRENCY
The national currency is the leu (plural
lei). Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 lei. Notes in
denominations of 500; 1.000; 5.000; 10.000; 50.000, 100.000 and 500.000 and 1 000 000 lei.
Foreign currency can only be exchanged at banks and authorized exchange offices. As rates
can vary from one place to another it is wise to shop around things in lei. .
Avoid black market money changers as this
is an illegal operation and subject to punishment by law, and is risky too. Exchange
offices are everywhere.
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DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Petty crime
Petty crime is on the rise in Romania with
Westerners being a primary target. When you out and about Bucharest, use the same
precautions you would in any large city. Be careful with your purse or bag. Many, many
people have their bags slashed and their money taken while they walk or board public
transportation. If you carry a purse or bag, keep it close to your body with the latch
facing inward. It should be held tightly under the arm. If you carry only a wallet or
loose money, carry it in your front pocket.
If you are staying in a hotel room, is
better to ask for you valuables to be located in the hotel safe.
Money change scams
There are several scenarios to this scam. However, the basic scam involves a "money
changer" who makes an approach on the street. This is quickly followed by the rush
"plain -clothes policemen" who flash something they expect you to believe in
their official identification. If you think you are being scammed, demand to see the
officer's identification as you continue to walk. When challenged, the imposters usually
give up without further incident. If they are persistent, look for a police officer in
uniform and walk towards him. Do not show a perpetrator any indetification or pull out
your wallet to prove your innocence.
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Dogs
Stranded dogs can be a nuisance but
speaking to them in a firm voice can avoid problems.
Many of dogs are "short of
owned" by locals, meaning they are thrown scraps of food and given cover in hall
ways, etc. due to this, they are quite harmless as long you leave them alone.
DISABLED TRAVELERS
If mobility is a problem , the hard
fact is that most hotels, museums and ancient sites are not wheelchair accessible.
If you are determined, the trip needs
careful planning, so get as much information as you can before you go.
DRIVING-CAR RENTAL
Renting cars is possible and there is
no problem of gas. But you must know the language -ROMANIAN - to be able to find your way
around.
Roads are not ver good always and
only very few highways exists.
The best solution is to hire a car with driver which is not much more expansive.
On drive on the right and overtake on the left.
Speed limits on highways: 100 km/hr.
Speed inside the cities is limited to 50km/hr. and is enforced by police radars.
It is compulsory to use safety belts also for the back seats in case the car is provided
with this accessory by the manufacturer.
Drunk driving is punishable by temporary
confiscation of the license.
It is not recommended driving at night, as many streets and roads are unlit.
If you hire a car, make sure to have a repair kit with you.
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ELECTRICITY
220 volts and cycles, and plugs are the
standard continental type with two round pins.
GAMBLING
Bucharest provide one of the highest
number of casinos in Europe. There are now approximately ten major casinos, offering
varied standards of quality.
GEOGRAPHY
Romania is situated in south-eastern
Europe, between latitudes 43-37'07'' and 48-15'06'' north and longitudes 20-15'44'' and
29-41'24'' east, extending approximately 480 km north to south and 640 east to west.
The country has an area of 237,500 sq.km and a population of over 23,000,000 of which 89%
are Romanians, 7% Hungarians, 2% Gypsies, with small minorities of Germans, Ukrainians,
Serbs, Slovaks, Turks, Russians, Bulgarians, Croats, Tartars, Czechs, Greeks, Jews,
Armenians, Polish, Albanians....
The Carpathians form a mountainous arc in the center of the country, bordered on both
sides by hills and plateau and finally the great plains of the outer rim.
Forests cover over a quarter of the country and the fauna is one of the richest in Europe
including wolves, bears, deer, lynx and chamois.
The mighty Danube forms the southern boundary of the country terminating in the Delta on
the Black Sea, a heaven for countless native and migratory birds.
Countries sharing borders with Romania are Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Republic of
Moldavia and the Ukraine.
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HOTELS
Bucharest hotels
Romania hotels
LANGUAGE
The language spoken is Romanian - a
Latin language mixed with Slavic words - similar to Italian or a little to Spanish.
The younger generation speaks english, and
the older generation speaks French. In the northern-western part of the country the older
generation speaks German a little. But in general - only in the main cities one can get
along with English and French.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Tickets are available at any RATB
kiosk, and are some for buses and trams.
The bus and tram lines are serving each stop are posted on that stop; additionally buses
display their major stops on the front screen.. You must validate your ticket immediately
upon entering upon the vehicle in one of ticket boxes or poles - if caught without a
validated ticket you will be fined.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Available in state and private
health units throughout the country (hospitals and dispensaries), according to the medical
agreements with other countries.
Medical personal generally have good qualification, but the hospitals rarely have the
equipment that you may be used to.
Disposable needles are almost 100 percent, but is a good idea to bring some with you just
in case.
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MOUNTAIN AND SEAS RESORTS
The Carpathian Mountains. The main
health resorts of the country are placed at an 800-1400 m altitude (Poiana Brasov, Sinaia,
Predeal, Semenic, Durau, Paltinis, Muntele Mic, Borsa, Balea, Stana de Vale, Voineasa
etc), being at the same time the most important centers for winter sports practice
(skiing, bobsleighing, sledding), endowed with adequate material supplies and suitable
technical installations.
The Black Sea Coast. All along 60
km, on the sea coast, the well-known seaside resorts Mamaia, Eforie, Costinesti, Olimp,
Neptun, Jupiter, Venus, Aurora, Saturn are scattered within an authentic constellation of
summer destinations marked by modern cities built overancient precincts, as Mangalia and
Constanta; their capacity is about 200.000 places. Non-stop antirheumatic balneary cures
using sapropelic mud and over-mineralized waters of the Lake Techirghiol are worked out in
Eforie, Neptun and Mangalia.
Poiana Brasov in the Charpatian
Mountains and Olimp on the Black Sea shores are the pearls of vacations.
PET INFORMATION
Anti-rabies vaccination certificates
are required for cats and dogs.
POSTAL INFORMATION
Post offices are open daily, including
Saturday morning, in most areas, and provide domestic and international services.
Most long distances telephone calls are
made through the operator but increasingly direct dial national and international services
are available. Use phone cards (50.000 and 100.000 lei) for urban and international calls
For special services numbers of 3 digits
are used:
971 - international calls
991 - internal trunk calls;
930 - Directory Enquirer - government, public and private organizations and companies;
931 - Directory Enquirer, individual subscribers (A-L);
932 - Directory Enquirer, individual subscribers (M-Z);
955 - Police;
953 - taxis;
951 - information;
961 - ambulance/emergencies;
981 - fire;
958 - time;
952 - train times.
On direct dial telephones dial 0 then city
area code for internal calls or 00, then the country and city code for internal calls.
For long-distance calls : for Bucharest
dial 40 then 1 and the phone number; for other localities dial 40, the code of the
respective locality and the phone number.
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RESTAURANTS
Food is very good and cheap if you
compare to western prices. It seems very expansive for local standard of living. Of course
a moderate tip at the beginning to the waiter will give you better service and better
food.
Give some tip at beginning and promise
some more at the end - is part of the game.
SAFETY
Safety is quite good provided that you
don’t walk in dark alleys. There is no big difference than many big cities in the
world.
TAXIS
Taxis are easy to find in towns, with lots of private
taxis as well as state-owned vehicles. They are affordable for the visitor too, with
city-centre trips costing just two-three dollars.
Finding a taxi on the street in the centre of town shouldn't be a problem, but do make
sure that it belongs to a reputable company. Never get in to an unmarked cab
.TIME ZONE
Romania is 2 hours ahead of
Greenwich Mean Time ( Zulu Time)
Summertime: 1 hour ahead of GMT
(last Sunday of March to last Sunday of September).
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TIPS
As previously mentioned for all
services - tips are welcome and these could be the difference between a good and pleasant
tour to nothing. Tips of one dollar could straighten up any need or request. Don't overdo
but be generous.
VISAS
Aliens who travel to
Romania have the prior obligation to apply for a visa at a diplomatic
mission or consular office, except those citizens arriving from countries
with which Romania concluded agreements on abolition of visa requirements
or has renounced unilaterally at the visa requirement... more
here
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WEIGHTS & MEASUREMENTS
Romania uses the metric system.
Some handy conversion are:
length mass ( weight)
1 inch = 2.5 cm 1 oz = 28 grams
1 foot = 30 cm 16 oz = 1 lb. = 454 grams
1 yard = .9 meter (roughly 1 m) 1 kilogram = 2.2 lbs.
1 kilometer = 2.2 miles
temperature
volume
32 F = 0 C 1 tsp. = 5 ml
50 F = 10 C 1 cup = 240 ml = 227 grams
98.6 F = 37 C 1 quart = .946 l
120 F = 49 C 1 gallon = 3.8 l
Remember that decimals are indicated with commas and thous and with points.
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