petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 7,790 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 144
Merchant marine:
total: 29
country comparison to the world: 86
by type: bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 14, liquefied
gas 6, petroleum tanker 4
foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7)
registered in other countries: 30 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 24,
Panama 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan
Military ::Qatar
Military branches:
Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari
Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 387,399
females age 16-49: 163,652 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 320,277
females age 16-49: 138,558 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,403
female: 5,144 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
10% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Transnational Issues ::Qatar
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women
from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are
subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic
workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual
exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept
worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited;
other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay,
restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental,
and sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Qatar does not
fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in
February 2009, Qatar enacted a new migrant worker sponsorship law
that criminalizes some practices commonly used by trafficking
offenders, and it announced plans to use that law effectively to
prevent human trafficking; punishment for offenses related to
trafficking in persons remains lower than that for crimes such as
rape and kidnapping, and the Qatari government has yet to take
significant action to investigate, prosecute, and punish trafficking
offenses; the government continues to lack formal victim
identification procedures and, as a result, victims of trafficking
are likely punished for acts committed as a direct result of being
trafficked (2009)
page last updated on January 27, 2011
======================================================================
@Romania (Europe)
Introduction ::Romania
Background:
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under
the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their
autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted
the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its
independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and
acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the
conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and
participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years
later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The
post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist
"people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The
decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in
1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive
and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and
executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government
until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in
2004 and the EU in 2007.
Geography ::Romania
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and
Ukraine
Geographic coordinates:
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 238,391 sq km
country comparison to the world: 82
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,
Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km
Coastline:
225 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny
summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain:
central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau
on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from
the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources:
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore,
salt, arable land, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 39.49%
permanent crops: 1.92%
other: 58.59% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30,770 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
42.3 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%)
per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure
and climate promote landslides
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in
south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta
wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans,
Moldova, and Ukraine
People ::Romania
Population:
21,959,278 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.5% (male 1,772,583/female 1,681,539)
15-64 years: 69.7% (male 7,711,062/female 7,784,041)
65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,332,120/female 1,934,076) (2010
est.)
Median age:
total: 38.4 years
male: 36.9 years
female: 39.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.247% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Birth rate:
9.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Death rate:
11.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Net migration rate:
-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 145
male: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.74 years
country comparison to the world: 110
male: 70.26 years
female: 77.42 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.27 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
15,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
350 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Nationality:
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Ethnic groups:
Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German
0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant
(various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%,
Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%,
none 0.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other
1.2%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.3%
male: 98.4%
female: 96.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 94
Government ::Romania
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bucharest
geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality*
(municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud,
Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi,
Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati,
Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov,
Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,
Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence:
9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire;
independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26
March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic
proclaimed)
National holiday:
Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
Constitution:
8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December
2008); Deputy Prime Minister Marko BELA (since 23 December 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 November 2009
with runoff on 6 December 2009 (next to be held in November-December
2014); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of
the Parliament
election results: Traian BASESCU reelected president; percent of
vote - Traian BASESCU 50.3%, Mircea GEOANA 49.7%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat
(137 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral
system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or
Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members elected by popular vote in a
mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 30 November 2008 (next expected to
be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 30
November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party -
PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by
alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of
Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL
32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%;
seats by alliance/party - PDL 115, PSD-PC 114, PNL 65, UDMR 22,
ethnic minorities 18
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for
three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior
Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of
justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives
appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by
their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates
elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of
laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it
is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three
members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber
of Deputies
Political parties and leaders:
Conservative Party or PC [Daniel CONSTANTIN] (formerly Humanist
Party or PUR); Democratic Liberal Party or PDL [Emil BOC];
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO];
National Liberal Party or PNL [Crin ANTONESCU]; National Union for
Romania's Progress or UNPR [Gabriel OPREA]; Social Democratic Party
or PSD [Victor PONTA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania
or PDSR)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: various human rights and professional associations
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD,
EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer),
MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA,
SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS,
UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian Cosmin VIERITA
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark GITENSTEIN
embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest
mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of
State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300
FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;
modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the
principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and
blue), which united in 1861 to form Romania; the national coat of
arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed
note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker;
also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
National anthem:
name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian)
lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
Economy ::Romania
Economy - overview:
Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began
the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete
industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's
needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year
recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic
consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent
years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's
macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a
middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption
and red tape continue to handicap its business environment.
Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand
and high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought
affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline.
Romania's GDP contracted markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the
country began to feel the effects of a global downturn in financial
markets and trade, and GDP fell more than 7% in 2009, prompting
Bucharest to seek a $26 billion emergency assistance package from
the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders. Drastic austerity
measures, as part of Romania's IMF-led agreement led to a further
1.9% GDP contraction in 2010. The economy is expected to return to
positive growth in 2011.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$253.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$258.2 billion (2009 est.)
$277.9 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$158.4 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-1.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
-7.1% (2009 est.)
7.1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$11,700 (2009 est.)
$12,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.8%
industry: 36%
services: 51.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
9.35 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 29.7%
industry: 23.2%
services: 47.1% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
8.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
7.8% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
25% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 20.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 103
28.8 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Public debt:
34.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
24% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
5.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.28% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
14.99% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$24.39 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 60
$26.03 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$63.67 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$61.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$77.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$72.45 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$30.32 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 61
$19.92 billion (31 December 2008)
$44.93 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes;
eggs, sheep
Industries:
electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light
machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials,
metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - production:
58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - consumption:
49.44 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - exports:
5.169 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
921 million kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
117,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - consumption:
214,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Oil - exports:
115,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Oil - imports:
217,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Oil - proved reserves:
600 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - production:
11.42 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Natural gas - consumption:
16.92 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Natural gas - imports:
5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Natural gas - proved reserves:
63 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Current account balance:
-$7.934 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
-$7.139 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$51.91 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$40.6 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal
products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals,
agricultural products
Exports - partners:
Germany 18.76%, Italy 15.42%, France 8.2%, Turkey 4.99%, Hungary
4.33% (2009)
Imports:
$59.84 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$50.03 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and
products, metals, agricultural products
Imports - partners:
Germany 17.3%, Italy 11.78%, Hungary 8.36%, France 6.14%, China
4.91%, Austria 4.75% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$50.51 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$44.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$108.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$110 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$80.16 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$73.96 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.831 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$1.731 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
lei (RON) per US dollar - 3.2 (2010), 3.0493 (2009), 2.5 (2008),
2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006)
Communications ::Romania
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.313 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 30
Telephones - mobile cellular:
25.377 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
Telephone system:
general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded
and modernized; domestic and international service improving
rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services
domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic;
fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons;
mobile-cellular teledensity, expanding rapidly, roughly 115
telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System
provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth
stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate
in Bucharest (2009)
Broadcast media:
a mixture of public and private TV stations; the public broadcaster
operates multiple stations; roughly 100 private national, regional,
and local stations operating; more than 75% of households are
connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems that
provide access to Romanian, European, and international stations;
state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks
and regional and local stations; more than 100 private radio
stations broadcasting (2008)
Internet country code:
.ro
Internet hosts:
2.464 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 34
Internet users:
7.787 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 37
Transportation ::Romania
Airports:
54 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 21 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 3,588 km; oil 2,424 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 10,788 km
country comparison to the world: 21
broad gauge: 57 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 10,731 km 1.435-m gauge (3,965 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 198,817 km
country comparison to the world: 25
paved: 60,043 km (includes 281 km of expressways)
unpaved: 138,774 km (2008)
Waterways:
1,731 km
country comparison to the world: 48
note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary
branches, and 132 km on canals (2006)
Merchant marine: