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Rich in culture and tradition, this east European republic has much to offer the unsuspecting visitor. Romania is putting behind its recent past of Communist command that cast its iron hand on sports, the arts, academics and politics with undiscriminating ardour. 10 years into its new set-up, Romania is a country in transition, renewing itself as fertile soil for discourse and discos, gymnasts and gypsies, travel and tourism.

Romania is traversed by the waters of the Danube, bound by the peaks of the impressive Carpathian Mountains, and enhanced by the sizzling beaches along the Black Sea. Romania, a land with a long and distinguished history is a goldmine of culture, art and natural beauty. Despite the hardships and challenges of being a developing country, the splendour of Romania’s days of glory is resplendent in its many monuments and relics of Roman, Greek and Byzantine vintage, and the raw beauty of the deeper country will slowly envelop you.

Romania is one of the largest producers of wine in Europe with an annual production of 5 to 6 million hectolitres. Taste some of the finest wines of Romania, Murfatlar and Zarea being the finest ones!!

Historically Speaking

Romania, which first appeared as Dacia, called so after the Dacians who were an ancient Thracian tribe, was dominated for much of its history first by the Romans (therefore Romanian, and so Romania), then by Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The various provinces came together as an independently ruled singular entity only in 1877. It was declared a nation in 1881 with Carol I as its king. His successor King Ferdinand I was ruling at the outbreak of World War I, which Romania entered on the side of the Triple Entente.

At the beginning of World War II, Romania, by then a de facto military dictatorship, threw its weight behind the Axis. However, with the Soviets crawling all over their border, they changed sides in 1944. By the end of the war, the Soviets had gained great popular influence here, particularly because they had supported the return of Transylvania from German and Italian clutches. Not surprisingly the Communists won the post-war elections. They forced King Michael to abdicate and Romania was declared a People’s Republic in 1947.

By 1948, Romania was taken over by Communists and its society and economy were remodelled according to the paradigm of the USSR. Intellectuals, dissenters, political opponents of the communists were persecuted through the 50s, 60s and 70s. After the Second World War, Romania was considered to be under the influence of the Soviet camp, but in the 60s it attempted to distance itself and develop its own policies and identity.

Romania was under the repressive dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu till 1989. Towards the end of that year, the mounting dissatisfaction with his regime had found a strident voice. All over Romania popular demonstrations supported by the army called for his overthrow. On the 26th of December his wife and he were executed. The first free elections of Romania were held in 1990.

Habitat

Romania, in south-western Europe, is one of the larger countries in the continent. It is bordered by Ukraine, Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Moldova. The better part of central and north-western Romania is the elevated plateau of Transylvania. The grand Carpathian Mountains form a wall around the plateau to result in valley like topography. They form a partition between the Transylvanian Basin and the plains of Moldavia in the east and the plains of Walachia in the south. The Tisza plains form the western part of the country. This plain also forms the border with Hungary and Serbia. The River Danube runs through the southern Walachian plains. The Black Sea lies to the southeast of Romania. Most parts of Romania have much wild animal life. The Carpathians continue to provide shelter to such animals as the lynx, wild boar, wolf, chamois and roe deer.