Flag description:
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars, white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916
note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun and the new shade was eventually adopted
National anthem:
name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Peace for the Anthem)
lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN
note: adopted 1996; the anthem was first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar
Economy ::Qatar
Economy - overview:
Despite the global financial crisis, Qatar has prospered in the last several years - in 2010 Qatar had the world's highest growth rate. Qatari authorities throughout the crisis sought to protect the local banking sector with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP rebounded in 2010 largely due to the increase in oil prices. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and likely the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar's successful 2022 world cup bid will likely accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects such as Qatar's metro system and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$122.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $102.3 billion (2009 est.)
$93.44 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$126.5 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
19.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 9.5% (2009 est.)
11.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$145,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $122,800 (2009 est.)
$113,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 78.8%
services: 21.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.254 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Unemployment rate:
0.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 0.5% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
33% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Public debt:
10.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 14% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 -4.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 80 5.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.04% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 6.84% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$15.98 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 66 $14.59 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$65.95 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $59.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$70.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $69.21 billion (31 December 2009)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$87.86 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 42 $76.31 billion (31 December 2008)
$95.49 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries:
liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
27.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Electricity - production:
15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - consumption:
13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1.213 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Oil - consumption:
142,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - exports:
753,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - proved reserves:
25.41 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Natural gas - production:
76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - consumption:
20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - exports:
56.78 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - proved reserves:
25.47 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Current account balance:
$20.11 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $809 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$57.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $33.28 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Japan 34.68%, South Korea 22.44%, Singapore 10.03%, India 4.86% (2009)
Imports:
$23.38 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $20.89 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
US 13.43%, Italy 8.34%, South Korea 8.33%, Japan 8.04%, Germany 7.31%, France 6.26%, UK 5.59%, China 5%, UAE 4.67%, Saudi Arabia 3.96% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$22.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $18.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$71.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $70.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$26.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $20.75 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$19.49 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $14.27 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2010), 3.64 (2009), 3.64 (2008), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006)
Communications ::Qatar
Telephones - main lines in use:
285,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 116
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.472 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 122
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 300 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2009)
Broadcast media:
television and radio broadcast media are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari Government; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Doha (2007)
Internet country code:
.qa
Internet hosts:
822 (2010) country comparison to the world: 170
Internet users:
563,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 117
Transportation ::Qatar
Airports:
6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 173
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 980 km; liquid 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), QatariAmiri 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 andUkraine
Geographic coordinates:
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 OrganicPollutants, 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, ShipPollution, 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
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
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:
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:
total: 15 country comparison to the world: 102 by type: cargo 10, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 35 (Cambodia 1, Georgia 7, Liberia 3, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 2, Moldova 2, North Korea 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 4, Syria 1, Togo 1, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Braila, Constanta, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Midia,Tulcea
Military ::Romania
Military branches:
Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele AerieneRomane, FAR), Special Operations (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-35 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription officially ended October 2006; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive contracts for 3-year terms until age 36 (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,617,144
females age 16-49: 5,487,510 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,513,619
females age 16-49: 4,566,620 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 121,391
female: 115,258 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Transnational Issues ::Romania
Disputes - international:
the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea
Illicit drugs:
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Russia (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Russia
Background:
Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state whose legitimacy is buttressed, in part, by carefully managed national elections, former President PUTIN's genuine popularity, and the prudent management of Russia's windfall energy wealth. Russia has severely disabled a Chechen rebel movement, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus.
Geography ::Russia
Location:
Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part ofEurope), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the NorthPacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 17,098,242 sq km country comparison to the world: 1 land: 16,377,742 sq km
water: 720,500 sq km
Area - comparative:
approximately 1.8 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 20,241.5 km
border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 17.5 km, Latvia 292 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km
Coastline:
37,653 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:
ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast
Terrain:
broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m
Natural resources: