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Romania

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Romania

BACKGROUND

Information: A country.

Romania is just north of the Balkan Peninsula, hence, frequently considered to be a Balkan country. It is located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe and borders the Black Sea to south-east, Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to south-west, and Molova to the east.

Following rapid economic growth in the early 2000s, Romania has an economy predominantly based on services, and is a producer and net exporter of machines and electric energy.

Romania remained neutral for the first two years of World War I. Following the secret Treaty of Bucharest, according to which Romania would acquire territories with a majority of Romanian population from Austria-Hungary, it declared war on August 27, 1916. The October Revolution and Russian withdrawal from the War left Romania alone and surrounded, and a cease fire was negotiated.

During World War II, Romania tried again to remain neutral, but on June 28, 1940, it received a Soviet ultimatum with an implied threat of invasion in the event of non-compliance. Again foreign powers created heavy pressure on Romania. As a result of it the Romanian government and the army were forced to retreat from Bessarabia as well as from northern Bukovina in order to avoid war with the Soviet Union. Romania was prompted to join the Axis military campaign. Thereafter, southern Dobrudja was ceded to Bulgaria, while Hungary received Northern Transylvania as result of an Axis powers' arbitration.

Romania was the only Communist state to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel after the 1967's Six-Day War; and established diplomatic relations with West Germany the same year. At the same time, close ties with the Arab countries and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) allowed Romania to play a key role in the Israel–Egypt and Israel–Palestine Liberation Organization peace talks.

National Dances: Căluș, Hora

Location: Balkans

Regions: Oltenia, Muntenia, Wallacia (Vlachia), Transylvania (Hungary).

Language: Romanian

Religion: Predominantly Eastern Orthodox


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