Geography
Location
Romania lies in South-East Europe, halfway between Europe’s most western point – the Atlantic Coastline – and its most eastern point – The Ural Mountains. It’s also positioned at approximately equal distances from the Equator and North Pole, and equally as far away from the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Romania has five countries as neighbors, the Black Sea being the last neighbor. To the North-East and East, Romania has borders with the Republic of Moldova, to the North and East with Ukraine, to the South-East with the Black Sea, to the South with Bulgaria, to the South-West with Serbia and to the West with Hungary.
Romania has five countries as neighbors, the Black Sea being the last neighbor. To the North-East and East, Romania has borders with the Republic of Moldova, to the North and East with Ukraine, to the South-East with the Black Sea, to the South with Bulgaria, to the South-West with Serbia and to the West with Hungary.
Area
Size wise, Romania has a medium position in Europe; it is the 12th largest country in Europe, its 238.400 m² placing it not far from Great Britain. It is the second largest country, after Poland, in Eastern Europe.
The Mud Volcanoes are small volcano-shaped structures typically a few metres high caused by the eruption of mud and natural gases.
Topography
Romania resembles a citadel, with the rivers as outer limits and the mountains as walls. Tourists who visit and discover Romania confess that it displays almost all kinds of terrain: mountains, plains, hills, delta, rivers, sea and even desert.
The Sphinx is a natural rock formation in the Bucegi Natural Park which is in the Bucegi Mountains of Romania.
The Carpathian Mountains
The Southern and Central parts of the Carpathian Mountain Chain (54%), with an area of approximately 66,300 km², are on Romanian territory. With a length of 910 km, the Carpathian Mountains take only 27,8% of Romania’s territory.
Although a bit higher than the Alps, the Carpathians have unique views, splendid landscapes and offer multiple possibilities for outdoor activities and leisure. The Carpathians are divided in 3 distinct geographical groups, which by the way comes to support the citadel like resemblance that is an indicator of different categories according to position and genesis.
The Oriental or Eastern Carpathians – home to over 32% of Romania’s woodlands.
The Southern Carpathians or the Transylvanian Alps – highest mountain peaks in Romania: Moldoveanu Peak (2.544 m) and Negoiu Peak (2.535 m)
Western Carpathians – famous for their gold and rare metals deposits, as well as a multitude of passes.
Although a bit higher than the Alps, the Carpathians have unique views, splendid landscapes and offer multiple possibilities for outdoor activities and leisure. The Carpathians are divided in 3 distinct geographical groups, which by the way comes to support the citadel like resemblance that is an indicator of different categories according to position and genesis.
The Oriental or Eastern Carpathians – home to over 32% of Romania’s woodlands.
The Southern Carpathians or the Transylvanian Alps – highest mountain peaks in Romania: Moldoveanu Peak (2.544 m) and Negoiu Peak (2.535 m)
Western Carpathians – famous for their gold and rare metals deposits, as well as a multitude of passes.
Plains, hills and orchards
41% of Romania’s area is arable (terrain). Here you can find cereal – corn, wheat, barley, oat, rye, rice – vegetables – potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, capsicum (bell pepper) – industrial plants – soy plant, tobacco, rapeseed (canola). And the cherry on top is the Romanian wine, acknowledged worldwide. Romania is the 9th wine producer in the world.
The Danube Delta
After journeying through 10 countries and 4 capitals, the Danube comes to a stop in the Black Sea. At its mouth to the sea, the Danube splits in to 3 channels creating a breathtaking delta. The Danube Delta is the second largest in Europe, after the Volga Delta. But it is the best preserved one and it is Romania’s youngest land. It is a biosphere reserve included on the lists of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other protection and preservation organisms.
The modern Danube Delta began to form after 4000 BCE in a bay of the Black Sea, when the sea rose to its present level.
The Black Sea
In addition to other wealth and treasures, Romania also has a seaside by the Black Sea. The Romanian seaside is 254 km (150 miles) long. The warm climate, the water temperatures close to those in the Mediterranean Sea, the modern resorts, the ancient sites, as well as the famous vineyards draw in over 1.3 million excited tourists annually. According to needs and expectations, here you can find suitable beaches for families with children, in resorts like Mamaia and Eforie, and for refined, luxurious vacations, in resorts like Olimp and Neptun. These locations greet tourists with luxurious hotels, spas and various quality recreation offers.
Rivers and Lakes
Looking at the Romania River Map, it seems rivers wove a web across the country. Almost all rivers in Romania spring from the Carpathians and spill directly or indirectly into the Danube.
Of all rivers, the most important is undoubtedly the Danube River. It stretches for 1,075 km on Romanian territory, almost 30% of its full length. Its flow also marks the borders with Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary.
Other rivers worth mentioning are: Olt, Mureș, Someș, Prut, Siret, Ialomița, Argeș. There is a total of 3,500 rivers in Romania, the majority of them small and medium.
Of all rivers, the most important is undoubtedly the Danube River. It stretches for 1,075 km on Romanian territory, almost 30% of its full length. Its flow also marks the borders with Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary.
Other rivers worth mentioning are: Olt, Mureș, Someș, Prut, Siret, Ialomița, Argeș. There is a total of 3,500 rivers in Romania, the majority of them small and medium.
Fauna and Flora
In such a favorable environment there had to be plenty of life flourishing.
Romania has over 33,792 species of animals and over 3,700 species of plants. A large percentage of Romanian land is home to natural or semi-natural ecosystems, including the biggest virgin (undisturbed) forest in Europe.
Romania has over 33,792 species of animals and over 3,700 species of plants. A large percentage of Romanian land is home to natural or semi-natural ecosystems, including the biggest virgin (undisturbed) forest in Europe.
A small, but important example is enough to convince you and reveal the Romanian animal wealth: half of the European brown bear population is found here, as well as 30% of Europe’s population of grey wolves.