Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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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.
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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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Map references:
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Europe
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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 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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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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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: 39.49%
permanent crops: 1.92%
other: 58.59% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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30,770 sq km (2003)
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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, 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
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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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22,303,552 (July 2006 est.)
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Age structure:
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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.)
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Median age:
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total: 36.6 years
male: 35.3 years
female: 37.9 years (2006 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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-0.12% (2006 est.)
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Birth rate:
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10.7 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Death rate:
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11.77 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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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.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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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.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 71.63 years
male: 68.14 years
female: 75.34 years (2006 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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1.37 children born/woman (2006 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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6,500 (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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350 (2001 est.)
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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 census)
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Religions:
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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)
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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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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
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Government type:
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republic
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Capital:
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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
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Administrative divisions:
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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
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Independence:
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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)
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National holiday:
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Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
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Constitution:
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8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003
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Legal system:
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former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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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%
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Legislative branch:
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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
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Judicial branch:
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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
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Political parties and leaders:
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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
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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various human rights and professional associations
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International organization participation:
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ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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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
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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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
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Flag description:
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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
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Economy - overview:
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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%. However, 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. The economy grew at 6.4% in 2006, the strongest growth in the last decade. Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, and the IMF has praised the country's recent reform efforts in preparation for EU accession.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$197.3 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$79.17 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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6.4% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$8,800 (2006 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 10.1%
industry: 34.7%
services: 55.2% (2006 est.)
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Labor force:
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9.33 million (2006 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 31.6%
industry: 30.7%
services: 37.7% (2004)
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Unemployment rate:
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6.1% (2006 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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25% (2005 est.)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2003)
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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28.8 (2003)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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6.8% (2006 est.)
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Investment (gross fixed):
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25% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues: $36.89 billion
expenditures: $39.1 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2006 est.)
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Public debt:
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21.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Agriculture - products:
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wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep
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Industries:
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textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining
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Industrial production growth rate:
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5.7% (2006 est.)
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Electricity - production:
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54.53 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - consumption:
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49.62 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - exports:
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3.7 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - imports:
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2.6 billion kWh (2004)
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Oil - production:
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119,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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212,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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NA bbl/day (2001)
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Oil - imports:
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163,000 bbl/day (2004)
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Oil - proved reserves:
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500 million bbl (yearend 2004)
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Natural gas - production:
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11.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption:
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18 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - imports:
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6.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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300 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
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Current account balance:
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$-12.45 billion (2006 est.)
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Exports:
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$33 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products
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Exports - partners:
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Italy 19.4%, Germany 14%, Turkey 7.9%, France 7.4%, UK 5.5%, Hungary 4.1%, US 4.1% (2005)
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Imports:
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$46.48 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, basic metals, agricultural products
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Imports - partners:
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Italy 15.5%, Germany 14%, Russia 8.3%, France 6.8%, Turkey 4.9%, China 4.1% (2005)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$27.88 billion (2006 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$42.76 billion (2006 est.)
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Currency (code):
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leu (ROL) is being phased out in 2006; "new" leu (RON) was introduced in 2005 due to currency revaluation: 10,000 ROL = 1 RON
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Exchange rates:
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lei per US dollar - 2.84 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004), 3 (2003), 3 (2002)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Airports:
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61 (2006)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 25
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2006)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 23 (2006)
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Heliports:
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1 (2006)
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Pipelines:
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gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2006)
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Railways:
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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)
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Roadways:
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total: 198,817 km
paved: 60,043 km (including 228 km of expressways)
unpaved: 138,774 km (2004)
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Waterways:
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1,731 km
note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2005)
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Merchant marine:
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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)
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Ports and terminals:
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Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea
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Military branches:
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Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aerienne Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2006)
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Military service age and obligation:
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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)
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 20-49: 5,061,984
females age 20-49: 4,975,427 (2005 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 20-49: 3,932,579
females age 20-49: 4,076,288 (2005 est.)
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males age 18-49: 172,093
females age 20-49: 165,547 (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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2.47% (2002)
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This page was last updated on 18 January, 2007
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