Geography
Romania is in South East Europe and is bordered by the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine.

Romania has six regions: Banat, Bukovina, Dobruja, Moldavia, Transylvania and Walachia. These are divided into forty counties in addition to the capital city, Bucharest.

Romania's landscape consists of hills, mountains and plains. The Danube is the longest river flowing through the country.

The summer is hot with both showers and thunderstorms; the winter is cold with some fog and snow. Earthquakes occur in the southern parts of the country.

Environment
Romania has many lakes and rivers. Forests and woodland cover over a quarter of the country. Trees include pine, spruce, beeches, birch, oaks and fruit trees. Protected Natural Areas and National Parks were established in the 1950s.

The Danube Delta, a World Heritage site, is also listed by Ramsar as a Wetland of International Importance.

Mount Pietrosul Mare and the Retezat Massif are UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserves.

Architecture
A number of architectural monuments in Romania have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The earliest of the World Heritage sites comprises of six Iron-Age Dacian Fortresses from the first centuries BC and AD. From medieval times there is the Historic Centre of Sighisoara, a fortified town founded by German craftsmen and merchants. There are also a number of churches, such as the Wooden Churches of the Maramures and the Fortified Churches in Transylvania.

Population
Romania's population was estimated at 21.4 million in 2018.

Languages
The Romanian language is a Romance language based upon Dacian and Latin, the language of its early Roman conquerors.

Religion
The largest percentage of the population is Romanian Orthodox. There are minorities of Roman Catholics and Protestants.

Food
Romanian food has been influenced over the centuries by invaders and settlers: Greeks, Hungarians, Germans and Turks.

Soups (vegetable, meat and fish) and salads (potato, cabbage and fish roe) are popular.

Mamaliga, made from cornmeal, is a staple food and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Stuffed vine leaves and grilled minced meat (mititei and patricieni) are also popular. Pork is eaten frequently, often with potatoes and salad.

Romania has a number of recipes for layered cakes, cheesecakes, pancakes and other desserts.

Fruits available include apples, apricots, blueberries, cherries, melons, strawberries and peaches.

Tea is a favourite drink. Beer, wine and plum brandy are produced.

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