Geographical Location

Romania is situated in the south-eastern part of Central Europe and shares borders with Hungary to the northwest, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, the Black Sea and Ukraine to the southeast and to the north and the Republic of Moldova to the east. Romania is the second largest country in the area, after Poland.

Geographical location of Romania: between latitudes 43°37'07" and 48°15'06" North and longitudes 20°15'44" and 29°41'24" East.

Romania extends approximately 300 miles North to South and 400 miles East to West.

Romania's territory features splendid mountains, beautiful rolling hills, fertile plains and numerous rivers and lakes. The Carpathian Mountains traverse the center of the country bordered on both sides by foothills and finally the great plains of the outer rim. Forests cover over one quarter of the country and the fauna is one of the richest in Europe including bears, deer, lynx, chamois and wolves. The legendary Danube River ends its eight-country journey through eight European countries at the Black Sea by forming one of the biggest and most interesting wetlands in the world, the Danube Delta.

Physical features

• Mountains: 31% of Romania's territory
• Hills and orchards: 36%
• Plains: 33%
• Areas covered by rivers and lakes: 3.7 %
• Total number of lakes: 3,500
• Lakes greater than 250 acres: 300
• Highest mountain peak: Moldoveanu Mt. — 8,349 ft. (2544 m.)

Climate

Romania has a temperate climate, similar to the north-eastern United States, with four distinct seasons.

Spring is pleasant with cool mornings and nights and warm days.

Summer is quite warm, with extended sunny days. The hottest areas in summer are the lowlands in southern and eastern Romania where 100 F is often reached in July and August. Temperatures are always cooler in the mountains.

Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colourful foliage, much like New England.

Winters can be cold, especially in the mountains. While not the rule, abundant snowfalls may occur throughout the country, from December to mid-March.

• Warmest month: July
• Coldest month: January

There are significant regional differences of the climate between different regions of Romania.