Official Name: Romania Location: (Southeastern) Central Europe Time Zone: Seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 2) Flag of Romania: Three vertical stripes: red, yellow and blue. Population: 19,000,000 Religions: Christian Orthodox 87%, Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 5%, Jewish Official Language: Romanian Currency: Romanian Leu (RON) Climate: Temperate, four distinct seasons, similar to northeastern USA Capital: Bucharest (Bucuresti) Legal system: Based on European models and Constitution of 1991. Short description: Known in the past as The little Paris Bucharest has changed a lot lately and today it has become a very interesting mix of old and new that has a little to do with its initial reputation. Finding a 300 years old church near a steel-and-glass building that sit both next to a communist style building is common in Bucharest. Perhaps The Big Mix would be a more appropriate name for the current Bucharest. Some adore it and enjoy its unique charm, while others feel uncomfortable around the gray Communist-era buildings and lack of western style tourist attractions. However, Bucharest offers some excellent attractions, and has, in recent years, cultivated a sophisticated, trendy, and modern sensibility that many have come to expect from a European capital. Bucharest has been undergoing major modernization programers in recent years and is still going to continue not if more projects in the years to come. Bucharest is experiencing an economic boom and will be experiencing this boom for many years to come. Traditional Christmas Greeting: "Srbtori Fericite (Happy Holiday!) Capra, The Goat is actually a usually boisterous young person dressed up in a goat costume The whole group dances through the streets and from door to door, often with flute music. The leader carries a large wooden star called "steaua (the star), which is covered with shiny paper and decorated with bells and colored ribbon. A picture of the Holy Family is pasted in the star's center, and the entire creation is attached to a broomstick or stout pole. Plugusorul is a small plough. In Romanian folklore is a traditional procession with a decorated plough, on New Years' Eve. Easter is the most important event in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Traditionally, celebrations in Romania begin on the Saturday evening. Dressed in all their finest clothes and holding candles, people gather round the churches. At the Easter Resurrection Mass (Slujba de nviere) just before midnight, the priest comes out to give a blessing, distribute holy bread and provide the flame from which everyone will light their candles. Suddenly the darkness is lit up and thousands of candles take to the streets. Everyone tries to keep the flame alive until they arrive home. There, around the table, the family comes together for a special Easter meal. Roast lamb and home-made cozonac (sponge cake with nuts and poppy seeds) are the traditional dishes. The craftsmanship of dyeing the eggs at Easter is an ancient tradition with Romanians. The belief that eggs represent the source of life led to the relation of eggs to the rites of the revival of nature, And eventually Easter. Romanians traditionally painted Easter eggs red and they decorated them ornately. National Day The National Day of Romania or Union Day (Ziua Unirii) occurring on December 1, is the national holyday of Romania. This holiday was set after the 1989 Romanian Revolution and it marks the 1918 unification of the Romanian Kingdom with Transilvania, Basarabia, Bucovina. Folk Costumes old peasants house Bucharest Romania's capital and one of the most chaotic cities in the world, Bucharest was a beauty in the 30's. Brasov is a medieval town established by the Saxons. It is surrounded by mountains and it's one of the most visited places in Romania. Sighisoara is one of the world's best preserved medieval towns. Constanta An ancient metropolis and Romania's largest sea port, Constanta traces its history some 2,500 years. Iasi is the most important political, economic and cultural centre of the province of Moldavia as well as one of the oldest cities in Romania. Sibiu is one of the most important cultural centres of Romania, and was designated a European Capital of Culture for the year 2007. Romania's Attractions Black Sea Cost A bit more than 250 km long, the Romanian Black sea coast starts at the Danube's Chilia brace and ends at Vama Veche, near the Bulgarian border. The Carpathians Mountains offer skiing opportunities (some of the cheapest in Europe) Delta Danube Monastaires Bucovinas painted monasteries are considered to be a world heritage and they are one of the most impressive works of art. Sucevita Monastery Romania's Attractions Castles & Fortresses Romania's numerous castles perhaps best illustrate the country's medieval heritage. Many castles and fortresses in Romania feature unique architectural elements and styles that reflect local traditions, customs and purpose. While castles built from the 14th to the 18th Centuries are strong and austere fortresses built mainly for defense against invaders. Climate Romania has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are cool and pleasant, making May and June, and September and October the best months to visit. Summers are hot from July to August and winters are harsh and very cold between December and March, with snow falling throughout most of the country. Bran Castle, well known as Draculas castle Peles Castle Climate Romania has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are cool and pleasant, making May and June, and September and October the best months to visit. Summers are hot from July to August and winters are harsh and very cold between December and March, with snow falling throughout most of the country Romania's Attractions Autumn in the Danube Delta Sibiu wintertime Carpathian Mountains in summer The main ingredients used by Romanian chefs are meats such as pork, beef and lamb, fish, vegetables, dairy products and fruit. A traditional Romanian meal may include: Appetizer All kinds of cheeses, cold cuts and vegetable spreads. Soup Ciorba de perisoare (meatball soup), ciorba taraneasca (vegetable soup, with or without meat), ciorba de burta (tripe soup). Fish Saramura (grilled carp in brine), nisetru la gratar (grilled Black Sea sturgeon) or scrumbie la gratar (grilled herring). Entree Tocanita or tochitura (meat stew seasoned with onions and/ or spices), ghiveci (over 20 vegetables cooked in oil), sarmale (pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with a mix of minced meats, rice and spices) and mititei (The "Wee Ones" - small skinless grilled sausages) are among the favorites. Dessert Papanasi (cottage cheese donuts, topped with sour cream and fruit preserve), clatite cu branza (crepes filled with cottage cheese, raisins and spices) and cozonac (traditional holiday sweet bread filled with walnuts, poppy seeds or cream cheese). A traditional drink enjoyed with appetizers is tuica (a potent plum brandy) which varies in strength, dryness and bouquet according to the production area. Here are some useful phrases: Good morning Buna dimineata! Good afternoon Buna ziua! Hello Salut! Buna! Thank you Multumesc! Goodbye La revedere! Excuse me/I'm sorry Imi pare rau/Scuza-ma! Yes Da No Nu