People
Foreign visitors consider Romanians among the friendliest and most
hospitable people on earth. Romanians are by nature fun loving,
warm, hospitable, playful, with an innate sense of humor.
Romania is associated with big names in arts and sports:
Constantin Brancusi — one of
the most acclaimed modern sculptors.
Angela Gheorghiu, one of the world's greatest opera soprano - www.angelagheorghiu.com
Alexandra Nechita — a young Romanian
painter living in California, known for her distinct style.
For more info about Alexandra and her art please visit:
www.iapart.com
Ilie Nastase — U.S. Open and
Roland Garos winner, is still one of crowd's favorites at
the U.S. Open.
Nadia Comaneci — the Olympic champion gymnast, saluted by people everywhere.
Other world renowned Romanian artists include the
writer Eugen Ionesco, pan flute virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir, piano player Radu Lupu and musician
George Enescu.
About 21,700,000 people live in Romania.
Ethnic breakdown is 89% Romanian 7.5% Hungarian, 1.9% Gypsy, German, Ukrainian, Armenian, Croatian, Serbian and Turkish.
More than 55% of Romania's population lives in towns and cities.
There are 263 towns in Romania out of which 25 have a population of more
than 100,000 while 8 cities count more than 300,000 inhabitants.
45 % of Romanians live in rural areas: 2,868 communes and 13,285 villages.
The administrative divisions are called "judet" (county).
There are 41 counties in Romania.
The capital city, Bucharest, has the status of a
county.
Bucharest — the capital of Romania has a population of more than 2,200,000.
Main religions in Romania
Eastern Orthodox 87%,
Roman Catholic 5%
Protestant 5%.
Language
Romanian, a Latin based language which is a continuation of the Latin
spoken in ancient times in Dacia and Moesia — the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire.
A 31-letter Latin alphabet is in use.
Ethnic minorities (Hungarian and German) use their own languages in school
and civil administration.
Literacy rate in Romania is 98%.
Most Romanians living in towns and cities are able to communicate in
English, French or German. In smaller villages only younger people and
children speak one or more foreign languages.
To order the comprehensive
"Romanian - English/ English Romanian Dictionary & Phrasebook" please e-mail:
orders@hippocrenebooks.com or visit www.hippocrenebooks.com
The book also includes information about Romania's historical and cultural background.
$12.95 paperback; ISBN 0-7818-0921-5
Public Holidays
January 1 and 2: New Year
Monday following Orthodox Easter:
March, April or early May (date
varies)
May 1: Labor Day
December 1: National Day
December 25-26: Christmas
Dates of the Orthodox Easter (public holiday):
2008 - April 27, 28
2009 - April 19, 20
2010 - April 4, 5
Several religious holidays including feasts of St. John (January 7), St.
George (April 23), Sts. Peter & Paul (June 29), St. Mary (August 15), St.
Michael (November 8) and St. Nicholas (December 6) are observed throughout
the year in rural areas.
It is customary for Romanians all over the country to celebrate their
Saint's Name Day (Ziua Onomastica).
Ethnic minorities celebrate their own holidays.
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