Min and Max represent the coldest and
warmest average months on record.
| Facts Other Than Average Temperature |
|
| Climate Details | temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms |
| Background | 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 2004 and the EU in 2007. |
| Coastline | 225 km |
| Terrain | 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 |
| Geographic Overview | |
| Geographic Coordinates | 46 00 N, 25 00 E |
| Elevation Extremes | |
| Natural Hazards | earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides |
| Current Enviornmental Issues | soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands |
| Environmental Agreements | |
| Agriculture Products | wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep |
| Natural Resources | petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower |
| Population | 22,246,862 (July 2008 est.) |