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Do not fill this in! ==Economy== {{Main|Economy of Romania}} {{Further|Agriculture in Romania|Industry of Romania}} In 2022, Romania has a GDP (PPP) of around $737 billion and a [[List of countries by GDP per capita (PPP)|GDP per capita]] ([[purchasing power parity|PPP]]) of $38,721.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2023 Edition |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPGDP,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=IMF.org |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="IMF">{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2023 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPPC,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |date=11 April 2023 |website=IMF.org |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> According to the World Bank, Romania is a [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income economy]].<ref name="WB GROUP">{{cite web |url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups |title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups |publisher=[[World Bank]] |website=datahelpdesk.worldbank.org |access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref> According to [[Eurostat]], Romania's GDP per capita (PPS) was 77% of the EU average (100%) in 2022, an increase from 44% in 2007 (the year of Romania's accession to the EU), making Romania one of the fastest growing economies in the EU.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/PRC_PPP_IND__custom_7358921/default/table?lang=en |title=GDP per capita in PPS |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat |access-date=4 September 2023}}</ref> After 1989 the country experienced a decade of economic instability and decline, led in part by an obsolete industrial base and a lack of structural reform. From 2000 onward, however, the Romanian economy was transformed into one of relative [[macroeconomic]] stability, characterised by high growth, low unemployment and declining inflation. In 2006, according to the [[National Institute of Statistics (Romania)|Romanian Statistics Office]], GDP growth in real terms was recorded at 7.7%, one of the highest rates in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|language=ro|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/pib/pibr06.pdf|title=GDP in 2006|publisher=Romanian National Institute of Statistics|access-date=10 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216015144/http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/pib/pibr06.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2008}}</ref> However, the [[Great Recession]] forced the government to borrow externally, including an [[IMF]] €20 billion bailout program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/business/global/02romecon.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721190547/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/business/global/02romecon.html|url-status=dead|title=Romania to Get Next Installment of Bailout|date=1 November 2010|archive-date=21 July 2016|via=The New York Times}}</ref> According to [[The World Bank]], GDP per capita in purchasing power parity grew from $13,687 in 2007 to $28,206 in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) – Romania |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD?locations=RO&name_desc=false |website=data.worldbank.org |publisher=[[World Bank]] |access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref> Romania's average net monthly wage increased to 913 euro as of 2023,<ref name="Romania1">{{cite web |title= În luna Iunie 2023, câștigul salarial mediu brut pe economie a fost 7364 LEI și cel net 4600 LEI |url=https://insse.ro/cms/sites/default/files/com_presa/com_pdf/cs06r23.pdf |publisher= National Institute of Statistics - Romania |website=www.insse.ro |access-date=2023-08-11}}</ref> and an inflation rate of −1.1% in 2016.<ref name="Eurostat">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/refreshTableAction.do?tab=table&plugin=1&pcode=tec00118&language=en|title=Eurostat, HICP – monthly data (12-month average rate of change)|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|access-date=5 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114746/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/refreshTableAction.do?tab=table&plugin=1&pcode=tec00118&language=en|archive-date=5 March 2017}}</ref> Unemployment in Romania was at 4.3% in August 2018, which is low compared to other EU countries.<ref name="INSSE Jan 2017">{{cite press release |url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/sites/default/files/com_presa/com_pdf/somaj_bim_ian17e.pdf |title=In January 2017, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 5.4%|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Romania)|National Institute of Statistics]] |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114812/http://www.insse.ro/cms/sites/default/files/com_presa/com_pdf/somaj_bim_ian17e.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2017 }}</ref> [[File:Palacio CEC, Bucarest, Rumanía, 2016-05-29, DD 65.jpg|thumb|left|The [[CEC Palace]], situated on Bucharest's [[Calea Victoriei|Victory Avenue]]]] [[File:Bucharest - Smârdan Street (28547822606).jpg|thumb|left|The old [[Bucharest Stock Exchange]] Palace (presently, Bucharest's Chamber of Commerce and Industry), situated in the capital's historical city centre]] Industrial output growth reached 6.5% year-on-year in February 2013, the highest in the Europe.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130417223746/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/4-12042013-AP/EN/4-12042013-AP-EN.PDF Industrial production up by 0.4% in euro area and EU27|Eurostat]. Eurostat (12 April 2013). Retrieved on 13 May 2013.</ref> The largest local companies include car maker [[Automobile Dacia]], [[Petrom]], [[Rompetrol]], [[Ford Romania]], [[Electrica]], [[Romgaz]], [[RCS & RDS]] and [[Banca Transilvania]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Chirileasa |first=Andrei |url=http://www.romania-insider.com/top-20-companies-in-romania-by-turnover/124291/ |title=Top 20 companies in Romania by turnover |publisher=Romania-Insider.com |date=9 June 2014 |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612001600/http://www.romania-insider.com/top-20-companies-in-romania-by-turnover/124291/ |archive-date=12 June 2014 }}</ref> As of 2020, there are around 6000 exports per month. Romania's main exports are: cars, software, clothing and textiles, industrial machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, metallurgic products, raw materials, military equipment, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, and flowers). Trade is mostly centred on the member states of the European Union, with Germany and Italy being the country's single largest trading partners. The account balance in 2012 was estimated to be 4.52% of GDP.<ref name="imf.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=77&pr1.y=1&c=968&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CNGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPCPIPCH%2CLUR&grp=0&a=|title=IMF World Economic Outlook Database, April 2011 – Central and Eastern Europe|date=April 2011|publisher=[[IMF]]|access-date=27 April 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015040029/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=77&pr1.y=1&c=968&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CNGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPCPIPCH%2CLUR&grp=0&a=|archive-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> After a series of privatisations and reforms in the late 1990s and 2000s, government intervention in the Romanian economy is somewhat less than in other European economies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Romania |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050105155414/http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Romania |url-status=dead |archive-date= 5 January 2005 |work=[[Index of Economic Freedom]]|title=Romania |publisher=heritage.org |access-date=31 August 2008 }}</ref> In 2005, the government replaced Romania's [[progressive tax]] system with a [[flat tax]] of 16% for both personal income and corporate profit, among the lowest rates in the European Union.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007_MONTH_06/2-26062007-EN-AP.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628064604/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007_MONTH_06/2-26062007-EN-AP.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2007|title=Taxation trends in the EU|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|date=26 June 2007|access-date=31 August 2008}}</ref> The economy is based predominantly on services, which account for 56.2% of the country's total GDP as of 2017, with industry and agriculture accounting for 30% and 4.4% respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/373136/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-romania/|title=Romania – share of economic sectors in the gross domestic product 2018|website=Statista}}</ref> Approximately 25.8% of the Romanian workforce is employed in agriculture, one of the highest rates in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-date=15 June 2018|title=Farmers in the EU – statistics – Statistics Explained|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Farmers_in_the_EU_-_statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615181335/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Farmers_in_the_EU_-_statistics|access-date=26 March 2021|url-status=dead|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref> Romania has attracted increasing amounts of foreign investment following the end of Communism, with the stock of [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) in Romania rising to €83.8 billion in June 2019.<ref name="business-review.eu">{{Cite web|url=https://business-review.eu/investments/fdi-stock-in-romania-approaches-eur-84-bln-204468|title=FDI stock in Romania approaches EUR 84 bln|date=5 September 2019}}</ref> Romania's FDI outward stock (an external or foreign business either investing in or purchasing the stock of a local economy) amounted to $745 million in December 2018, the lowest value among the 28 EU member states.<ref name="business-review.eu"/> Some companies that have invested in Romania include Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Procter & Gamble, Citibank, and IBM.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Willis|first=Terri|title=Romania: Enchantment of the World|publisher=[[Children's Press]]|year=2001|isbn=0-516-21635-X|pages=80–81|language=English}}</ref> According to a 2019 World Bank report, Romania ranks 52nd out of 190 economies in the ease of doing business, one place higher than neighbouring Hungary and one place lower than Italy.<ref name="doingbusiness.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/data/exploreeconomies|title=Explore Economies|website=World Bank}}</ref> The report praised the consistent enforcement of contracts and access to credit in the country, while noting difficulties in access to electricity and dealing with construction permits.<ref name="doingbusiness.org"/> [[File:Dacia Duster Salon de l'Auto.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dacia Duster]] concept at the [[Geneva Motor Show]] (2009)]] Since 1867 the official currency has been the [[Romanian leu|Romanian ''leu'']] ("lion") and following a denomination in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Banca Națională a României – "The History of the Romanian Leu" Exhibition|url=https://www.bnr.ro/%e2%80%9cThe-History-of-the-Romanian-Leu%e2%80%9d-Exhibition-13837-Mobile.aspx|website=www.bnr.ro|access-date=1 May 2020}}</ref> After joining the EU in 2007, Romania plans to adopt the [[euro]] in 2029.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/romania-wants-to-push-euro-adoption-by-2026/ | title=Romania wants to push euro adoption by 2026 | date=20 March 2023 }}</ref> In January 2020, Romania's external debt was reported to be US$122 billion according to CEIC data.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/romania/external-debt |title=Romania External Debt 2004–2020 Monthly USD mn CEIC Data |website=ceicdata.com |access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref> ===Infrastructure=== {{Main|Transport in Romania|Energy in Romania}} [[File:Romania-drumuri.svg|thumb|Romania's [[Roads in Romania|road network]]]] [[File:Graph Romania electricity supply mix 2015.svg|thumb|Graph depicting Romania's electricity supply mix as of 2015]] According to the Romania's National Institute of Statistics (INSSE), Romania's total road network was estimated in 2015 at {{convert|86080|km|0|abbr=out}}.<ref name="INSSE">{{cite web |url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/sites/default/files/com_presa/com_pdf/lung_cailor_transp15r_1.pdf |title=Length of roads in Romania 2015 |publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Romania)|INSSE]] |access-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113231241/http://www.insse.ro/cms/sites/default/files/com_presa/com_pdf/lung_cailor_transp15r_1.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2016 }}</ref> The World Bank estimates the railway network at {{convert|22298|km}} of track, the fourth-largest railroad network in Europe.<ref name="Railway">{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.ro/jf/romana/0208/retea.htm|title=Reteaua feroviara |language=ro |publisher=cfr.to |access-date=6 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608211134/http://www.cfr.ro/jf/romana/0208/retea.htm |archive-date=8 June 2009}}</ref> Romania's [[Căile Ferate Române|rail transport]] experienced a dramatic decline after 1989 and was estimated at 99 million passenger journeys in 2004, but has experienced a recent (2013) revival due to infrastructure improvements and partial privatisation of lines,<ref name="Europaworld">{{Cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=The Europa World Year Book|year=2007|volume=2|edition=48|publisher=[[Routledge]]|location=London and New York|title=Romania|pages=3734–3759|isbn=978-1-85743-412-5}}</ref> accounting for 45% of all passenger and freight movements in the country.<ref name="Europaworld" /> [[Bucharest Metro]], the only [[rapid transit|underground]] railway system, was opened in 1979 and measures {{convert|61.41|km|2|abbr=on}} with an average ridership in 2007 of 600,000 passengers during the workweek in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfin.ro/articol_8634/transferul_metrorex_la_primaria_capitalei_a_incins_spiritele.html|title=Metrorex ridership |language=ro |publisher=Financial Week newspaper |date=23 April 2007 |access-date=31 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516140935/http://www.sfin.ro/articol_8634/transferul_metrorex_la_primaria_capitalei_a_incins_spiritele.html |archive-date=16 May 2008}}</ref> There are [[List of airports in Romania|sixteen international commercial airports]] in service today. Over 12.8 million passengers flew through Bucharest's [[Henri Coandă International Airport]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/european-airports.xls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326185002/http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/european-airports.xls|title=Ann. aero database|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 March 2017}}</ref> Romania is a net exporter of electrical energy and is 52nd worldwide in terms of consumption of electric energy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2233rank.html |title=Country Comparison-Electricity Consumptiom |website=cia.gov |access-date=25 March 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307234309/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2233rank.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Around a third of the produced energy comes from renewable sources, mostly as hydroelectric power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minind.ro/energie/PNAER_final.pdf |title=Planul Național de Acțiune în Domeniul Energiei din Surse Regenerabile (PNAER) |language=ro |date=2010 |access-date=9 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211040927/https://www.minind.ro/energie/PNAER_final.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> In 2015, the main sources were coal (28%), hydroelectric (30%), nuclear (18%), and hydrocarbons (14%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hidroelectrica.ro/rapoarte/Raport_Anual_2015_RO.pdf |title=Raport Anual 2015 energie |access-date=20 February 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010095255/http://www.hidroelectrica.ro/rapoarte/Raport_Anual_2015_RO.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2017 }}</ref> It has one of the largest refining capacities in Eastern Europe, even though oil and natural gas production has been decreasing for more than a decade.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.upg-bulletin-se.ro/archive/2015-4/4.Lazar_Lazar.pdf |title=Economic Insights – Trends and Challenges Vol.IV(LXVII) No. 4/2015 37 – 44Romanian Oil Industry Decline |last=Lazar |first=Cornel and Mirela |website=upg-bulletin-so.ro |url-status=dead |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421143536/http://www.upg-bulletin-se.ro/archive/2015-4/4.Lazar_Lazar.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2018 }}</ref> With one of the largest reserves of [[crude oil]] and [[shale gas]] in Europe<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/worldshalegas/ |title=World Shale Resource Assessments |website=eia.gov |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> it is among the most energy-independent countries in the European Union,<ref>{{cite web |author=Ana Hontz-Ward |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/romania-expects-energy-independence-despite-ukraine-crisis/1956837.html |title=Romania Expects to be Energy Independent Despite Ukraine Crisis |date=14 July 2014 |publisher=Voanews.com |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818030644/http://www.voanews.com/content/romania-expects-energy-independence-despite-ukraine-crisis/1956837.html |archive-date=18 August 2014 }}</ref> and is looking to expand its nuclear power plant at [[Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant|Cernavodă]] further.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-energie-16428344-contractul-pentru-unitatile-3-4-centrala-nucleara-cernavoda-parafa-mai-chinezii-vor-avea-51-din-actiuni-nicolae-moga-psd.htm |title=Contractul pentru unitățile 3 și 4 de la centrala nucleară Cernavodă se va parafa în mai. Chinezii vor avea 51% din acțiuni – Nicolae Moga (PSD) – Energie – HotNews.ro |date=17 January 2014 |publisher=Economie.hotnews.ro |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090341/http://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-energie-16428344-contractul-pentru-unitatile-3-4-centrala-nucleara-cernavoda-parafa-mai-chinezii-vor-avea-51-din-actiuni-nicolae-moga-psd.htm |archive-date=19 August 2014 }}</ref> There were almost 18.3 million connections to the Internet in June 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gandul.info/it-c/numarul-conexiunilor-la-internet-a-crescut-cu-22-8-cate-milioane-de-romani-au-acces-la-internet-13701212|title=Numărul conexiunilor la internet a crescut cu 22,8%. Câte milioane de români au acces la internet|newspaper=[[Gândul]]|date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409080533/http://www.gandul.info/it-c/numarul-conexiunilor-la-internet-a-crescut-cu-22-8-cate-milioane-de-romani-au-acces-la-internet-13701212|archive-date=9 April 2015|access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]], in 2013 Romania ranked fifth in the world, and according to ''[[The Independent]]'', it ranks number one in Europe at Internet speeds,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/chart/3348/europes-fastest-downloaders/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222110431/https://www.statista.com/chart/3348/europes-fastest-downloaders/|url-status=dead|title=• Chart: Blistering broadband: Europe's fastest downloaders | Statista|archive-date=22 February 2017|website=www.statista.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2013-01-23/top-10-countries-with-the-fastest-internet.html#slide7|title=Top 10: Where to Find the World's Fastest Internet|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|date=23 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628104937/http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2013-01-23/top-10-countries-with-the-fastest-internet.html#slide7|archive-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> with [[Timișoara]] ranked among the highest in the world.<ref name=Akamai>{{cite web|url=http://www.romania-insider.com/romanian-city-comes-out-first-in-the-world-in-internet-download-speed-ranking/103102/|title=Romanian city comes out first in the world in Internet download speed ranking|publisher=Net Index|date=3 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706191940/http://www.romania-insider.com/romanian-city-comes-out-first-in-the-world-in-internet-download-speed-ranking/103102/|archive-date=6 July 2013}}</ref> === Tourism === {{Main|Tourism in Romania|List of World Heritage Sites in Romania}} {{See also|Seven Natural Wonders of Romania|Seven Wonders of Romania}} Tourism is a significant contributor to the Romanian economy, generating around 5% of GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TravelTourismCompetitiveness_Report_2008.pdf|publisher=[[World Economic Forum]]|title=Country/Economy Profiles: Romania, Page 329 Travel&Tourism|access-date=16 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405043639/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TravelTourismCompetitiveness_Report_2008.pdf|archive-date=5 April 2013}}</ref> The number of tourists has been rising steadily, reaching 9.33 million foreign tourists in 2016, according to the Worldbank.<ref name="business review website">{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL?locations=RO |title=Worldbank Tourism in Romania |website=worldbank.org |access-date=5 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825191802/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL?locations=RO |archive-date=25 August 2017 }}</ref> Tourism in Romania attracted €400 million in investments in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|language=ro |url=http://www.gandul.info/social/turismul-atras-2005-investitii-400-milioane-euro.html?3932;255059 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809114100/http://www.gandul.info/social/turismul-atras-2005-investitii-400-milioane-euro.html?3932;255059 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 August 2018 |publisher=Gandul Newspaper |title=Tourism attracted in 2005 investments worth €400 million |access-date=11 January 2008 }}</ref> More than 60% of the foreign visitors in 2007 were from other EU countries.<ref name=turism>{{cite report|url=http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/turism/a07/turism09e07.pdf|title=Report from Romanian National Institute of Statistics|quote=for the first 9 months of 2007 an increase from the previous year of 8.7% to 16.5 million tourists; of these 94.0% came from European countries and 61.7% from EU|access-date=11 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216015139/http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/statistici/comunicate/turism/a07/turism09e07.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2008}}</ref> The popular summer attractions of [[Mamaia]] and other [[Romanian Black Sea resorts|Black Sea Resorts]] attracted 1.3 million tourists in 2009.<ref name="litoral2010-08-21">[http://www.jurnalul.ro/stire-economic/criza-ne-strica-vacanta-548967.html Criza ne strică vacanța] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102104448/http://jurnalul.ro/stire-economic/criza-ne-strica-vacanta-548967.html |date=2 November 2012 }}, 9 July 2010, jurnalul.ro, accessed on 21 August 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unseenromania.com/places-to-go-romania/tan-and-fun-at-the-black-sea.html |title=Tan and fun at the Black Sea |publisher=UnseenRomania |access-date=10 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011041935/http://unseenromania.com/places-to-go-romania/tan-and-fun-at-the-black-sea.html |archive-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> <!--Galleries or clusters of images are generaly discouraged as they cause undue weight to one particular section of a summary article and may cause accessibility problems(?) . See WP:GALLERY for more information.---> {{multiple image|perrow=2|align=right|total_width=300 |image1=Manastirea putna1.jpg|caption1=[[Putna Monastery]] in [[Bukovina]], one of the [[Churches of Moldavia|medieval churches of Moldavia]] |image2=Pelicani din Delta Dunarii.PNG|caption2=The [[Danube Delta]] with its wildlife |image3=Castelul Bran2.jpg|caption3=[[Bran Castle]] |image4=Black Sea beach in Mamaia (6117712232).jpg|caption4=[[Romanian Black Sea resorts|Mamaia Black Sea resort]]}} Most popular skiing resorts are along the [[Valea Prahovei]] and in [[Poiana Brașov]]. [[List of castles in Romania|Castles, fortifications, or strongholds]] as well as preserved medieval Transylvanian cities or towns such as [[Cluj-Napoca]], [[Sibiu]], [[Brașov]], [[Alba Iulia]], [[Baia Mare]], [[Bistrița]], [[Mediaș]], [[Cisnădie]], [[Sebeș]], or [[Sighișoara]] also attract a large number of tourists. [[Bran Castle]], near Brașov, is one of the most famous attractions in Romania, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists every year as it is often advertised as being [[Dracula in popular culture|Dracula]]'s Castle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Digi24/Lejer/Magazin/Castelul+Bran+marcat+de+istorie+dar+si+de+legenda+lui+Dracula+at|title=Castelul Bran, marcat de istorie, dar și de legenda lui Dracula atrage anual sute de mii de turiști|website=www.digi24.ro|date=21 February 2016 |access-date=28 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822103842/http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Digi24/Lejer/Magazin/Castelul+Bran+marcat+de+istorie+dar+si+de+legenda+lui+Dracula+at|archive-date=22 August 2016}}</ref> Other attractions include the Danube Delta or the [[Sculptural Ensemble of Constantin Brâncuși at Târgu Jiu]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Turism in Romania |url=http://www.turism.ro/statiuni.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902060849/http://turism.ro/statiuni.php |archive-date=2 September 2011 |access-date=29 August 2011 |publisher=Turism.ro}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=16 March 1957 |title=Ansamblul sculptural Constantin Brancusi din Targu Jiu |url=http://www.romaniaturistica.com/obiective-turistice/ansamblul-sculptural-constantin-brancusi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909134147/http://www.romaniaturistica.com/obiective-turistice/ansamblul-sculptural-constantin-brancusi.html |archive-date=9 September 2012 |access-date=29 August 2011 |publisher=Romaniaturistica.com}}</ref> [[Rural tourism]], focusing on getting visitors acquainted with local [[folklore]] and [[Tradition|customs]], has become an important alternative,<ref>{{Cite news|publisher=Romania Libera|language=ro|date=5 July 2008|title=Turismul renaste la tara|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/a128995/turismul-renaste-la-tara.html|access-date=28 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802065943/http://www.romanialibera.ro/a128995/turismul-renaste-la-tara.html|archive-date=2 August 2008}}</ref> and is targeted to promote such sites as [[Bran, Brașov|Bran]] and its Dracula's Castle, the [[Churches of Moldavia|painted churches of northern Moldavia]], and the [[wooden churches of Maramureș]], or the [[villages with fortified churches in Transylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruraltourism.ro/|language=ro|publisher=RuralTourism.ro|title=Bine ati venit pe site-ul de promovare a pensiunilor agroturistice din Romania !!!|access-date=28 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914053130/http://www.ruraltourism.ro/|archive-date=14 September 2008}}</ref> The [[Via Transilvanica]] long-distance [[hiking]] and [[cycling]] [[trail]], which crosses 10 counties in the [[Transylvania]], [[Banat]] and [[Bukovina]] regions of the country further promotes rural [[slow tourism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concept - Via Transilvanica |url=https://www.viatransilvanica.com/en/concept/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.viatransilvanica.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, Romania had 32,500 companies active in the hotel and restaurant industry, with a total turnover of €2.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.romania-insider.com/how-important-is-tourism-in-romanias-economy/158787/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106064035/http://www.romania-insider.com/how-important-is-tourism-in-romanias-economy/158787/|url-status=dead|title=How important is tourism in Romania's economy?|publisher=romania-insider.com|archive-date=6 November 2015}}</ref> More than 1.9 million foreign tourists visited Romania in 2014, 12% more than in 2013.<ref name="romania-insider.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.romania-insider.com/over-1-9-million-tourists-visit-romania-where-do-they-come-from/141244/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204055850/http://www.romania-insider.com/over-1-9-million-tourists-visit-romania-where-do-they-come-from/141244/|url-status=dead|title=Over 1.9 million tourists visit Romania, where do they come from – Romania Insider<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=4 February 2015}}</ref> According to the country's National Statistics Institute, some 77% came from Europe (particularly from Germany, Italy, and France), 12% from Asia, and less than 7% from North America.<ref name="romania-insider.com" /> ===Science and technology=== {{Main|Science and technology in Romania|List of Romanian inventors and discoverers}} Historically, Romanian researchers and inventors have made notable contributions to several fields. In the history of flight, [[Traian Vuia]] built the first airplane to take off under its own power<ref name="RomAcademyLib">{{cite web|url=http://www.biblacad.ro/Vuiaeng.htm|title=Traian Vuia in a Century of Aviation|publisher=Romanian Academy Library|page=1|access-date=7 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310224335/http://www.biblacad.ro/Vuiaeng.htm|archive-date=10 March 2012}}</ref> and [[Aurel Vlaicu]] built and flew some of the earliest successful aircraft,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.rosa.ro/index.php/en/rosa-home/history-menu/784-aurel-vlaicu|title=AUREL VLAICU|website=www2.rosa.ro|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926114207/http://www2.rosa.ro/index.php/en/rosa-home/history-menu/784-aurel-vlaicu|url-status=dead}}</ref> while [[Henri Coandă]] discovered the [[Coandă effect]] of fluidics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.rosa.ro/index.php/en/rosa-home/history-menu/125-henri-coanda|title=Henri Coandă|website=www2.rosa.ro|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031095740/http://www2.rosa.ro/index.php/en/rosa-home/history-menu/125-henri-coanda|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Victor Babeș]] discovered more than 50 types of bacteria;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/locale/targu-jiu/victor-babes-savantul-roman-descoperit-50-tipuri-microbi-vaccin-turbarii-1_5a1ab5795ab6550cb88d1818/index.html|title=Victor Babeș, savantul român care a descoperit 50 de noi tipuri de microbi și un vaccin împotriva turbării|website=adevarul.ro|date=27 November 2017 |language=en|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref> biologist [[Nicolae Paulescu]] developed an extract of the pancreas and showed that it lowers blood sugar in diabetic dogs, thus being significant in the history of insulin;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pioneers/nicolae-paulescu.html|title=Nicolae Paulescu was a Romanian scientist who claimed to have been the first person to discover insulin, which he called pancreine.|date=15 January 2019|website=Diabetes|language=en-GB|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref> while [[Emil Palade]] received the Nobel Prize for his contributions to [[cell biology]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1974/palade/facts/|title=The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1974|website=NobelPrize.org|language=en-US|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref> [[Lazăr Edeleanu]] was the first chemist to synthesise [[amphetamine]], and he also invented the procedure of separating valuable petroleum components with selective solvents.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Moore|first=Elaine A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vfMjBwzpIgC&q=Laz%C4%83r+Edeleanu+was+the+first+chemist+to+synthesise+amphetamine&pg=PA20|title=The Amphetamine Debate: The Use of Adderall, Ritalin and Related Drugs for Behavior Modification, Neuroenhancement and Anti-Aging Purposes|date=10 January 2014|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-8012-8|language=en}}</ref> During the 1990s and 2000s, the development of research was hampered by several factors, including: corruption, low funding, and a considerable [[brain drain]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/2/editorial_en.pdf |title=Science in post-communist Romania: The future is not inviting |access-date=9 February 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510003910/http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/2/editorial_en.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> In recent years, Romania has ranked the lowest or second-lowest in the European Union by [[research and development]] spending as a percentage of GDP, standing at roughly 0.5% in 2016 and 2017, substantially below the EU average of just over 2%.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8493770/9-01122017-AP-EN.pdf/94cc03d5-693b-4c1d-b5ca-8d32703591e7|title=R&D expenditure in the EU remained stable in 2016 at just over 2% of GDP|date=1 December 2017|publisher=[[Eurostat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-last-in-the-eu-on-rd-expenditure|title=Romania, last in the EU on R&D expenditure|publisher=Romania Insider|date=10 January 2019}}</ref> The country joined the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) in 2011,<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Romania_accedes_to_ESA_Convention|title=Romania accedes to ESA Convention|publisher=European Space Agency|date=20 January 2011}}</ref> and [[CERN]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://home.cern/news/press-release/cern/cern-welcomes-romania-its-twenty-second-member-state|publisher=CERN|date=5 September 2016|title=CERN welcomes Romania as its twenty-second Member State}}</ref> In 2018, however, Romania lost its voting rights in the ESA due to a failure to pay €56.8 million in membership contributions to the agency.<ref>{{cite web|title=Romania loses voting right at European Space Agency due to unpaid debts|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-loses-voting-right-european-space-agency|work=Romania Insider|date=3 October 2018}}</ref> In the early 2010s, the situation for science in Romania was characterised as "rapidly improving" albeit from a low base.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abbott |first1=Alison |title=Romania's high hopes for science |journal=Nature |date=12 January 2011 |doi=10.1038/news.2011.8 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In January 2011, Parliament passed a law that enforces "strict quality control on universities and introduces tough rules for funding evaluation and peer review".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abbott |first1=Alison |title=Science fortunes of Balkan neighbours diverge |journal=Nature |date=12 January 2011 |volume=469 |issue=7329 |pages=142–143 |doi=10.1038/469142a |pmid=21228844 |bibcode=2011Natur.469..142A |doi-access=free }}</ref> Romania was ranked 47th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023, up from 50th in 2019.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.wipo.int |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2021-09-02|website=www.wipo.int|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-28|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2021-09-02|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[nuclear physics]] facility of the European Union's proposed [[Extreme Light Infrastructure]] (ELI) [[laser]] will be built in Romania.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eli-np.ro/ |title=ELI-NP | Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics |publisher=Eli-np.ro |access-date=29 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906022342/http://www.eli-np.ro/ |archive-date=6 September 2011 }}</ref> In early 2012, Romania launched its first [[Goliat|satellite]] from the [[Centre Spatial Guyanais]] in French Guiana.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_news-11498074-video-romania-39-first-satellite-goliat-successfully-launch-from-kourou-base-french-guyana.htm |title=VIDEO Romania's first satellite Goliat successfully launch from Kourou base in French Guyana – Top News |date=13 February 2012 |publisher=HotNews.ro |access-date=4 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406215026/http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_news-11498074-video-romania-39-first-satellite-goliat-successfully-launch-from-kourou-base-french-guyana.htm |archive-date=6 April 2014 }}</ref> Starting in December 2014, Romania became a co-owner of the [[International Space Station]].<ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite web |url=http://www.rosa.ro/index.php/en/news-menu/stiri/787-romania-va-detine-o-parte-din-statia-spatiala-internationala-si-va-contribui-la-dezvoltarea-celei-mai-noi-rachete-europene-ariane-6 |title=Romania will own a part of the International Space Station and will contribute to the development of the latest European rocket, Ariane 6 |work=Romanian Space Agency |date=3 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208052247/http://www.rosa.ro/index.php/en/news-menu/stiri/787-romania-va-detine-o-parte-din-statia-spatiala-internationala-si-va-contribui-la-dezvoltarea-celei-mai-noi-rachete-europene-ariane-6 |archive-date=8 December 2014 }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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