An independent country since 1878, the once communist Romania is
one of the three remaining candidates for membership of the enlarged European
Union. It joined NATO in 2004 and is aiming to join the EU by 2007, although
this could be delayed for one year if the EU decides Romania needs additional
time to meet its membership requirements.
However, the government of President Traian Basescu,
elected in December 2004, has made a commitment
to ready the country for EU membership by strengthening
democracy and individual freedoms, and making full restitution of properties
confiscated under previous regimes.
The
country has a population of 22m of
whom approximately half live in rural communities.
Its borders touch Bulgaria, the Federal
Republic
of Yugoslavia,
Hungary, the Ukraine, Moldova and the Black Sea – the coastline
is roughly 120 miles long.
Situated in the south east of central Europe, immediately north of Bulgaria,
and facing Turkey across the Black Sea, Romania is a mountainous country with
its north central area ringed by the Carparthian Mountains to the north and
west, and the Transalvanian Alps running from east to west across the centre
of the country. These offer numerous ski resorts as well as summer activities.
The capital, Bucharest (which with a population of over 2m is by far the largest
city) lies to the south on the plain between the mountains and the sea.
Romania has hot summers and cold winters with widespread snow. In summer there
are frequent showers and thunderstorms in the mountains. The warmest areas
are in the south. April to the beginning of July, and from the end of August
to the end of October are generally thought to be the most pleasant times for
beach and activity holidays. The skiing season runs from December until mid-April.
Romania has good mineral resources, including oil, natural gas, iron, coal,
and bauxite, but has suffered from years of stagnation, especially under the
24 year dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu. Its principal trading links are
with Italy, Germany, France, and Russia.
Natural
hazards include the possibility of
earthquakes, particularly in the south and
south west, and landslides. Social hazards
include corruption and
crime – including theft from tourists and demands for bogus fines.
The
economic transformation that is occurring
has been fuelled by a major privatisation
programme although major businesses still
remain in state
hands.
Recently Romania realigned its currency, the leu (lei, plural). In July
2005 four zeros were dropped from the denomination
although ‘old’ denomination
notes (approximately 52,000 old lei to the pound) will continue in circulation
along with ‘new’ lei notes (approximately 5.2 lei to the
pound) until 31 December 2006.
UK citizens require a current passport to enter Romania. A visa is not required
unless temporary residence is required when personal application should be
made at the nearest Romanian Passport Office within 15 days of arrival in the
country. The Passport Office issue a residency permit, valid for up to one
year, although this can be extended. Fines are imposed on foreigners who do
not have the correct visa or whose visa has expired.
Property prices have risen steeply in recent years although still remain cheap
by western European standards. Price increases have been fuelled both by overseas
and domestic demand. The latter mushroomed followed a lifting of ownership
and occupancy restrictions imposed by the communist regime, but is now thought
likely to tail off. However, the country is actively encouraging foreign investment.
Foreign property investors commonly buy through companies since Romanian
law prohibits foreign nationals (soon to be non-EU nationals) from owning
land (but not buildings) except where agreed by reciprocating international
treaties. Romanian companies may own land non matter the nationality
of their ownership.
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