The Carpathians mountains are in the center of the country, bordered on both sides by hills and plateaus 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 Ukraine.

Present-day Romania was first inhabited by the Dacians, fierce warriors subdued by the Romans under Trajan in two extremely difficult campaigns at the beginning of the 2^nd century AD. The relatively brief Roman occupation, 165 years, nevertheless left as a lasting legacy the Latin language which survived the many subsequent invasions of migratory peoples.

Over the years a Romanian identity progressively developed, with the 13^th and 14^th centuries formation of the feudal states of Wallachia and Moldavia. Centuries of struggles against the Turks ensued in these states. Meanwhile Transylvania was successively occupied by the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires.

Finally Moldavia and Wallachia were united in 1859, independence was achieved in 1877 and union with Transilvania in 1918.

Communist rule established after the 2^nd World War lasted 45 years and was ended by the December revolution of 1989.

Annual average rainfall is 677mm, more in the mountains (1,000 - 1,400) and less on the coast below 400.

Average temperatures in different parts of the country:

Romania is a multi-party state: many parties are currently registered, but only important ones are represented in Parliament. The ethnic minorities also have representation.

Democratic rights and freedom are guaranteed by the Constitution.

The national flag is tricolor: red, yellow and blue.

Romania's national day is December 1, the day when the national unitary state was founded in 1918. Romania's territory is divided in 40 districts administered by the prefects; the mayors of municipalities, towns, communes and villages are subordinated to the district administrations.

Bucharest, the capital, has its own administration, similar to those of the districts.

Fuel

The principal acces points into Romania are: Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest-Petea E 81; Vienna, Prague, Budapest-Bors E 60 or Nadlac E 64 or Varsaud E 671; Trieste, Belgrade-Moravita E 70 or Portile de Fier E 70; Athens, Tirana, Sofia-Giurgiu E 85; Istambul, Sofia-Vama Veche E 87; Moscow, Kiev, Chernovitz-Siret E 85. All roads are marked in accordance with international regulations.
Generally, fuel stations are located along main roads exiting towns. The Automobil Clubul Roman and tourist offices provide a Tourist and Motor Car Map that locates each fuel station. Prices are substantially lower than those in Western European countries, but shortages may cause delays. Regular leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 88 or 90; the octane rating of super is 96 or 98. Unleaded gasoline is called benzina fara plumb. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Diesel is called motorina.

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0 mg. Speed limits are as follows: 50 kph in built-up areas, and 70 kph (44 mph) or 80 kph (50 mph) or 90 kph (56 mph) outside built-up areas and on expressways. These latter speed limits apply respectively to vehicles with an engine that is smaller than 1100 cc, vehicles with an engine between 1100 cc and 1800 cc, and vehicles with an engine larger than 1800 cc. Motorcycles are limited to 40 kph (25 mph) in built-up areas, 60 kph (37 mph) elsewhere.

Attention: priority on roundabouts must be given to vehicles entering on the right.

It's illegal to use a horn in towns from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; use headlights instead. In Bucharest and many other towns, use of horns is illegal at all times; signs reading "claxonarea interzisa" alert drivers to this prohibition.

Trams are the only vehicles which may be passed on the right.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. Random vehicle checks are common.

Parking

Parking must be done on the right side of the road and in the direction of traffic.

Roads

Banks

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. Licensed exchanged bureaus, schimb, stay open in the afternoons and on Saturday morning.

Shops

Open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day but Sunday. Some open until noon on Sunday.

National Holidays

Jan 1, 2; May 1, 2, 9; Dec 1, 24, 25, 30.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 9660, 15070 and 17640 kHz
4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency