Casa de la Rau: Romania, background information

	Casa de la Rau Transylvania Romania
	Romania, background information

Until December 1989 Romania was a country largely hidden from western eyes by an oppressive regime which limited access to Romanian people, information and culture. After the initial headlines covering the revolution and execution of the Ceausescus, the media found other headline grabbers from the plight of children in orphanages. The resulting headlines helped to mobilise international interest and support which has helped significantly with orphanages and health care. However, if you think of Romania what is the first thing that comes to mind, and what else do you know about the country and people? Romania is a country of rich and varied culture and scenery, with a largely well educated and naturally friendly population.

Sitting in the centre of Eastern Europe, Romania has experienced the flow and occupation of various nations over the centuries, each of which has left an expression of its culture. Buildings provide the more obvious examples of other cultures, and have left delights such as the painted churches of the Bucovina area, saxon town centres such as Brasov and Sibiu (in Translyvania), impressive houses in Sinia. Bucharest itself retains a mixture of architectural influences which extend back through the centuries. During the last century Bucharest was heavily damaged by bombing, earthquakes, and the ravages of Ceausescu, but it maintains some grand buildings, and it's interesting to wonder around the older part of the city. Today Romania still supports a mixture of lifestyles which vary from recovering cosmopolitan cities, to isolated sheperd huts in the mountains. Romanians retain an active interest in art and literature and are keen to learn about other cultures and ways of life.

Location and Geography
The country lies on the north western edge of the Black Sea, and shares borders with Moldova, The Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. Entering its boundaries from Serbia, the river Danube winds it’s way first to the south of the country before running east and north, to emerge on the Black Sea coast in the Danube Delta. The Danube Delta is one of the largest in Europe and offers refuge to over 300 species of resident and migrant birds. The Delta is a vast area ( over 5000 sq. Km) of waterways, lakes and reed islands. Its boundaries constantly shift in response to sediment dumped by the Danube, and attacks by the sea along it’s low coastal strip.

A third of Romania is covered by mountainous terrain with most of the central and northern areas being taken up by the U-shaped Carpathian Mountains. The Transylvanian plateau occupies the centre of the U, and the Moldavian plateau lies to the east. Another third of Romania is covered by hills and tablelands full of orchards and vineyards. Fertile plains where cereals, vegetables, herbs and other crops are grown make up the rest of the country.