Aries Shipping Agency - Constanta

Official Name:

Romania

Time Zone Area:

Seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 2)

 

Population:

21.60 million(2004 census)

22 million(year 2010 forecast)

Ethnic Groups:

Romanian 89%, Hungarian 7.5%, Gipsy 1.9%, German, Other 1.6%

Religions:

Christian Orthodox 87%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 5%, Jewish

Flag of Romania:

Three vertical stripes: red, yellow and blue.

Climate:

Temperate, four distinct seasons: pleasant temperatures during Spring and Fall, hot Summers, cold Winters

Capital:

Bucharest (Bucuresti) - Population: 2.1 million

Official Language:

Romanian

Form of Government:

Parliamentary Republic with two legislative bodies: Senate (Senat) and Chamber of Representatives (Camera Deputatilor)

Head of State

President, directly elected, by universal suffrage, for a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms; currently Mr. Traian Basescu, who was elected in December 2004.

Head of Government

Prime Minister who is appointed by the President; currently Mr. Calin Popescu Tariceanu

Romania is a NATO member and is expected to become member of the European Union in January 2007.

Main religions in Romania

Eastern Orthodox 87%, Roman Catholic 5% and Protestant 5%.

Language

Romanian, a Latin based language which is a continuation of the Latin spoken in ancient times in Dacia and Moesia — the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. A 31-letter Latin alphabet is in use.

Ethnic minorities (Hungarian and German) use their own languages in school and civil administration.

Literacy rate in Romania is 98%.

Most Romanians living in towns and cities are able to communicate in English, French or German. In smaller villages only younger people and children speak one or more foreign languages.

Public Holidays

• January 1 and 2: New Year
• Monday following Orthodox Easter:
• March, April or early May (date varies)
• May 1: Labor Day
• December 1: National Day
• December 25-26: Christmas

Dates of the Orthodox Easter (public holiday):

• 2007 - April 8, 9
• 2008 - April 27, 28 2010 - April 4, 5

Several religious holidays including feasts of St. John (January 7), St. George (April 23), Sts. Peter & Paul (June 29), St. Mary (August 15), St. Michael (November 8) and St. Nicholas (December 6) are observed throughout the year in rural areas.

It is customary for Romanians all over the country to celebrate their Saint's Name Day (Ziua Onomastica).Ethnic minorities celebrate their own holidays.