A small country in Southeast Europe after high-profile events connected with the capture and execution of Nicolae Ceausescu lives a quiet and peaceful life, almost disappearing from the global information space. Romania ranks 47th in the world in terms of GDP, which is higher than the countries of Eastern Europe, with the exception of Poland.
general information
A small state in Southeastern Europe covers an area of 238, 391 square meters. m, it is 78th in this indicator in the world. The territory of the country is approximately equal parts located on a flat, hilly and mountainous terrain. Through the whole of Romania from the Ukrainian border in the east to the Serbian in the west, the Carpathians stretch with 14 mountain ranges and with the highest point on Mount Moldovanu.
The country's population is about 20 million people (59th in the world). The state is the largest in the region. Romania's GDP per capita is $ 10, 932.33 (2018).
Country history
The princedoms of Wallachia and Moldavia were for centuries ruled by the Ottoman Empire and only in 1878 became a united independent state under a new name - Romania. After World War II, Soviet occupation led to the creation of a "people's" republic.
At the end of 1989, the long-term rule of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu ended, and he himself was executed. But the former communists ruled the country until 1996, when they were removed from power. The country joined the Northern Alliance in 2004, and the European Union in 2007. However, the state did not join the monetary union; Romania’s money is Romanian leu. By the type of government it is a unitary, parliamentary-presidential republic.
History of the country's economy
Before World War II, Romania was almost 100-150 years behind the advanced European states in terms of economic development. At that time, few countries knew how to calculate GDP, so they compared the level of economic development by individual indicators. In the state, only oil production, timber processing and some other raw materials industries that were attractive to foreign capital were relatively developed.
According to statistics from 1938, the share of foreign investment in the oil industry was 92%, in electricity production - 95%, in metallurgy - 74%, and chemical - 72%. Large monopolies of the country actively cooperated with Germany.
In the postwar years, the construction of socialism began in the country, industrial enterprises were nationalized, land reform was carried out, and a state monopoly on international trade was introduced. Since 1949, the country has developed in accordance with the five-year plans; active industrialization has begun.
After the fall of the Ceausescu regime, market reforms began, providing for a free market, the state’s withdrawal from the economy, and greater integration of the national economy into the world market. By 2002, more than 62% of Romania’s GDP was in the private sector, 90% in private business, and more than 50% in international trade. Only strategic facilities in the defense complex, nuclear power plants, engineering and the pipeline network remained in state ownership.
Economics overview
The country has a relatively strong agro-industrial economy. Romania's GDP in 2018 amounted to 211.8 billion US dollars, the second largest among the post-socialist countries of the region. Due to the rapid pace of development, the country received the nickname Balkan Tiger.
The state is a major manufacturer of automobiles and electronics in the region and one of the most attractive for foreign investment. The capital of Bucharest is the largest regional economic and industrial center. The country has developed agriculture, which employs about 40% of the working population. Industry accounts for 35% of Romania's GDP, agriculture - 10%, and services - 55%.
In recent years, the Romanian economy has been one of the fastest growing in the EU. Percentage of GDP growth amounted to: 2018 - 3.4%, 2017 - 5.4%, 2016 - 4.8%. The country's development forecasts for the coming years are also quite favorable. In 2019 and 2020, Romania’s GDP will grow at 3.3% per year. After the global financial crisis, the country's economy recovered quite quickly thanks to strong industrial exports, good agricultural yields and a budget expansion policy.
Major industries
Romania has actively mastered oil production and refining. However, the deposits are gradually depleted, now the explored reserves amount to no more than 80 million tons. In addition, coal, manganese ores, gold, bauxite, natural and associated gas are mined in Romania. The country imports a small amount of Russian natural gas and transports it to other European countries.
Mechanical engineering accounts for half of the country's industrial output. These are mainly automobiles, electronics, equipment for the oil fields, power plants, and the chemical industry. The largest company in Romania remains the car manufacturer Dacia, which is now owned by Renault-Nissan. In addition, General Motors and Ford automobile factories operate.
The main agricultural products are: wheat, corn, potatoes, fruits. In the services sector, the majority are business and finance (20.5%) and tourism and transport (18%).
