Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

1. COUNTRY PROFILE

1.1. GENERAL DATA

The present territory of Romania called also the Carpatho-Danubian-Pontic, overlaps the European territorial system, outlined by the shape of Romanian Carpathians circle and imposed and additional adjacent regions subordinate to Carpathian mountains, being bordered in the South by the Danube and in the East of the Black Sea. On the Globe, Romania is situated in the northern hemisphere; at the intersection of 45 parallel North latitude and the meridian 25 East. In Europe, Romania is situated in the South-eastern Central Europe, half the distance between the Atlantic Ocean coast and the Ural Mountains, in and outside the Carpathians arc, in the lower basin of the Danube, having a gateway to the Black Sea.

1.1.

Physical map of Europe

Romania is bordered in the North with Ukraine, in the East with the Republic of Moldova (border consisting entirely of Prut), in the South with Bulgaria (much of the border being river, the Danube), in the Southwest with Serbia, and in West with Hungary. The Romanian borders stretch on a distance of 3 149.9 km, of which 1876km became in 2007 the EU borders (towards Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine), while the Black Sea, border with a length of 194km formed the continental platform, and 245km from shore, the Romanian Black Sea coast stretches out between the border between the Ukraine and Bulgaria). The surface of Romania is 238.391km area, plus 23.700km of the Black Sea platform. 0 0 0 The Romanian territory is between 43 3707 and 48 1506 northern latitude and between 20 1544 0 2 and 29 4124eastern longitude, with a surface of 238.391km , being the 12th largest country in Europe.

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Chapter.1. Country profile

Romania's geographical position

Extreme point North South East West Horoditea Village Zimnicea City Sulina City Beba Veche Commune County Botoani Teleorman Tulcea Timi Eastern longitude 26 4205 25 2332 29 4124 20 1544
v

1)

Northern latitude 48 1506 43 3707 45 0936 46 0727

according to Greenwich
0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

Romania has an ellipse shape, with a territory length, in a straight line, of approximately 735km from East to West and of approx. 530km, from North to South. The total length of Romania's frontiers is 3,149.9km, out of which 1,085.5km land and 2,064.3km rivers and sea.

1.2. Geopolitical map of Europe Length of Romanian borders

Borders Bulgaria Serbia Hungary Ukraine Republic of Moldova Black Sea Total 3.149,9 631,3 546,4 448,0 649,4 681,3 193,5 Length of the frontiers (km) Land River 1.085,6 139,1 256,8 415,9 273,8 1.816,9 470,0 289,6 32,1 343,9 681,3 Sea 247,4 22,2 31,7 193,5

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

1.1.1. RELIEF AND GEOLOGY The relief of Romania has three major steps, proportionately distributed in the form of an amphitheatre. the high step, of the Carpathians (the highest peak Moldoveanu 2,544m), the medium step, corresponding to the Sub-Carpathians, hills and plateaus and the low step, of the plains, river meadows and Danube Delta (the youngest relief unit, continuously developing and with an average altitude of 0.52m). The main characteristic of these relief components is their proportional distribution in form of an amphitheatre, characterized by four elements: variety, proportionality, complementary and symmetrical layout, with approximately equal distribution of the main relief units (35% mountains, 35% hills and plateaus and 30% of plains) The Carpathians have a surface of 66.303km2, which is approx. 27.9% of the country surface, on a length of 910 km.

1.3. Physical and geographic map of Romania Inside the Carpathian arch lays the Plateau of Transylvania, with an area of approx. 25.000 km2 and an altitude between 400 m-600 m. Outside the Carpathian Mountains (relief in down steps, almost concentric), is a ring of hills Sub Carpathians and Western Hills - the most densely populated areas, due to rich underground resources (oil, coal, salt) and favourable conditions for cultivating vine and fruit trees. In eastern and southern are three large plateaus (Moldova, Dobrogea and Getae) and Mehedinti Plateau, while in the south and west lay two great plains, the Romanian Plain (narrow at East) and Western Plain. Danube Delta is the lowest region of the country, under 10m altitude, with expanses of marshes, lakes and reed. Higher are the fluvial and maritime top of a bank ridge (Letea, Caraorman Srturile) on which fishing villages are grouped. Danube Delta was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1991 as a nature biosphere reserve. Romania benefits from all types of aquatic facilities: rivers and streams, lakes, groundwater, marine waters. Romania's hydro graphic and hydrological peculiarities are determined mainly by its geographic position in the temperate continental climate and the presence of the Carpathian arc. The inter-mountain depressions are represented by the depressions in the area of the Oriental Carpathians (Borsec - Bilbor, Jolotea, Gheorghieni, Ciucului, Comneti, Brsei), depressions from the area of the Middle Carpathians (Lovitei, Petroani, Caransebe - Mehadia), depressions within the Eastern Carpathians (among which Bozovici or Almajului depression) and depressions in the area of the Western Carpathians (Brad - Scrmb, Zlatna - Alma, Roia Montana). There are also internal depressions Transilvaniei depression, Panonic and imleul Silvaniei depression. Geologically, the country territory is 67% represented by two orogen units: the Carpathian Orogen and the Dobrogea North Orogen, the last one with a side and insular low altitude position and small surface, occupying the northern third of Dobrogea. On Romanian territory and according to the geotectonic evolution there are platform and orogen units. The platform units are: Moldova Platform, on the north-eastern side of the country, Moesic Platform

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Chapter.1. Country profile

(Walachia Sector, South - Dobrogea sector, Central Dobrogea sector) and the Scythian Platform (Barlad sector and Danube Delta sector). Through the complexity of the geologic structure, the Oriental and Middle Carpathians show different conditions for accumulating useful mineral substances. Other substances are: mineral deposits, mineral fuel deposits, salt and salts deposits, useful rocks. On this territory there are geologic reservations, like: Lacul Rou - Cheile Bicazului, Piatra Teiului, Pietrele Doamnei, Lacul Sfnta Ana and Valea ladului. Platform areas and intermountain depressions (Transylvania, Pannonian) are characterized by important oil and gas reserves.

1.4. Geological map of Romania 1.1.2. CLIMATE General climatic characterization The Romania's climate is temperate-continental of transitory type, being marked by eastern, oceanic, Scandinavian-Baltic, sub-Mediterranean and Pontic influences. Thus, in Banat and Oltenia, the Mediterranean tendency is present, featured by smooth winters and a richer pluviometrical regime (especially in autumn). In Dobrogea, there is a Pontic tendency, by rare and yet torrential rains. In the eastern regions of the country, the continental character is more pronounced. The northern part of the country (Maramures and Bucovina) experiences the effects of the Scandinavian-Baltic tendency, having a cooler and more humid climate with nippy winters, and the west of the country is influenced by the oceanic climate, with rather moderate temperatures and richer precipitations. According to Kppen classification, Romania is characterized by the following climate types: 1. Cool temperate climate (Dfb), without a well individualized dry season and moderate thermal summers, hot and cold season is well defined, this type defines most of the countrys territory; 2. Warm temperate continental climate (Cfb), with moderate humidity throughout the year, without a excessively intense dry season and relatively mild summers, cool and hot seasons are well defined, this type is representative for the Western half of the Romanian Plain and West Plain; 3. The temperate continental climate (Cfa), similar to Cfb, but with summers that can be excessively hot, this is specific to Dobrogea Plateau and the eastern half of the Romanian Plain; 4. The cool mountain climate (H), with high humidity throughout the year, this type is found in the massive mountain of Eastern and Southern Carpathians.

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

1.5. Climatic map of Romania, climatic areas In 2010, at country level, the average temperature was 0.7C above the climate normal. Positive deviations from normal values ranged between 0.2C (March) and 4.3C (November) and the negatives in January, September, October and December were 0.4C (January and September) up to 2.6C (October), lower than the climate normal (graphic 1). The average amount of precipitation fallen across the country level in 2010 (846.3 l/m2), exceeded the climate normal by 33% (208.4 l/m2) due to excess rainfall in January, February, March, May, June, July, September, October, November and December (graphic 1 and 2). In 2010 there were floods on both internal rivers of Romania and the Romanian section of Danube (from regions of Dolj, Olt and Teleorman to those in the Delta). In this context, it must be highlighted that the hydrological year November 2009 - November 2010 meant in terms of climate, significant excesses of precipitation climate norms, not only in Romania but also in many other parts of the Danube basin. Snow and rainfall in the central basin of the Danube exceeded the annual average of the reference range, the values recorded being almost 2 times higher than the climate normal, which is an absolute record for the period of instrumental meteorological observations. During February-March 2010, the melting of snow and rainfall caused flooding in several areas of the country, being affected especially the ones in Giurgiu and Teleorman. In the same period, due to rainfall and melting snow, there have been landslides in villages in the counties of Olt, Dambovita, Prahova and Buzau In general, normal hydrological regime of the Danube has a debit increase in the spring season during AprilMay, correlated with pluviometric and melting snow regime in the entire hydrographical basin located on the territory of the nine countries covered by the river. Within the basin, the period of April-May 2010 was characterized by heavy rain and the layer of snow in the winter of 2009-2010 was also more consistent than usual in most Central and Eastern Europe. Quantitatively significant amounts of precipitation were reported throughout the Danube Basin in May and early June, causing flooding in Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine. In the same period in Romania, have been reported increases in the level of the Danube and the flooding of low areas bordering the river counties (Dolj, Olt, Teleorman). Significant amounts of precipitation recorded in the western, northern and central Romania were followed in May, by hydrological warnings for rivers in Maramures, Satu Mare, Bihor, Timis, Caras Severin Mures, Brasov and Alba. From June 20 to July 14, 2010, very heavy rainfall that accompanied the storms has caused severe flooding in Romania, especially on the rivers Siret, Prut and Jijia. There were rapid floods on Mures and Trnavei affluents and on Somes-Tisa Basin. There were floods in the towns of Alba, Arad, Bihor, Cluj, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Salaj, Suceava and Timis. In total, 565 villages were affected in 38 counties. 24 people died, 9 769 homes were affected, 753 of which were destroyed. Almost 100,000 hectares of arable land were flooded. In the last decade of June and the first decade of July, landslides affected regions near Siret, Prut, Olt, Mures and Somes-Tisa. In early August, heavy rainfall caused rapid floods in the parts of Harghita, Covasna, Suceava and Prahova counties. Increase of Romanian Danube section in early December was due mainly to heavy rainfall gathered from its entire hydrographical basin (including rivers in western Romania). Due to significant rainfalls, landslides occurred in Prahova county. In the last decade of December, the effect of rainfalls combined with the melting snow (due to a very hot weather episode) resulted in the occurrence of floods on the rivers of the northwest, in the counties of Satu Mare and Maramures. 5

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

Graphic 1. Average monthly temperatures (C) registered in Romania between 01.01-31.12/2010, compared to the climate multi annual average (reference period 1961-1990).
O

40.0 35.0 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0

I -5.0 -10.0

II

III

IV

VI

VII

VIII

IX

XI

XII

2010

61-90

Graphic 2 Monthly amounts of precipitation (l/m2) registered in Romania between 01.01-31.12/2010, compared with multi annual average (reference period 1961-1990).
mm 140.0 130.0 120.0 110.0 100.0 90.0 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 I II III IV V VI 2010 V II V III IX 61-90 X XI XII

Extreme weather in 2010 In January, in the northeast, east, south-east and south, average temperatures were below the monthly climate average, in the northeast being lower by 3C to it. On the rest of the territory, the average air temperatures were within normal limits and only one time, in the centre and northwest, were above normal values. Between 6-12th of January, there was a strong heating period, so that daily temperatures were higher than normal. There were daily records of the highest minimum temperature (days 09, 10, 11 of January) and maximum (days 07, 09, 10 of January) at many weather stations. Between 21-28th of January, in the eastern, southern and central regions, the weather became very cold, realizing daily records of the lower minimum temperatures (24-26 January) and maximum (24-26, 28 January). In January, precipitations exceeded the normal values in most of the territory, except the north, southeast and southwest of the country, which were within normal limits. It snowed in the intervals 03-05 and 13-18 of January, forming a snow layer with thickness up to 147 cm in the mountain area and 20-50 cm in the rest of the country. In February, the intra Carpathians regions, average temperatures were higher with 1.6 to 3.3C than normal, and in the rest close to normal values. Pluviometric regime was in excess in most of the country, except the northwest and central regions which was within normal limits. Rainfalls were in the form of snow and rain. During the month there was a blizzard (7 to 15 of February) in the south of the country and the mountains, where snow reached 183 cm.

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

In March, monthly average temperatures were within normal limits in most of the country. Exceptions were the Black Sea coast, where the monthly average temperature was higher than the climate normal values and the Bucegi Mountains, where the thermal regime was below the monthly normal. Precipitation from March have exceeded normal levels in most of the country, most important quantities were is the southern and central regions. In the mountains, precipitations had the form of snow throughout the month, maintaining the layer of snow, which amounted to a maximum thickness of 254cm in the Fagaras Mountains. In the rest of the country, rainfalls had the form of rain and snow, during 10-11 of March there was a blizzard in the southern regions of the country. In April, the average monthly temperatures exceeded normal levels in western, northern and central regions. Precipitations exceeded the climate normals in central and northwest part of the country and were below those in the east and locally in the west and south. Precipitation had the form of sleet and snow only in the mountain area with altitudes above 1700 m, and in the rest of territory were rains and showers accompanied by lightning and hail. In May, average monthly temperatures exceeded normal levels in the eastern, south-eastern and central regions. Precipitations during the month were aggregated in excess in most of the country, except the southeast, where they were close to normal values and locally poor. Rains have been in the form of drift, often accompanied by lightning, hail and wind intensification, while in high mountain areas have been in the form of sleet and snow. June was warmer than normal across the country. Monthly amounts of precipitation were significant (over 100 l/m2) in most of the territory, in the north-east of the country exceeding 300 l/m2. The pluviometric regime was in excess in most of the territory, deviations in excess of 150% were recorded in restricted areas in the north and southeast regions of the country. There have been frequent rains, especially rain accompanied by windy storm and hail. In July, the average temperatures were above the monthly normal values throughout the country. The total amounts of precipitations during the month were mostly normal and in surplus, except restricted south and east areas, where they were deficient. Wind had intensifications in all regions, especially during rains, often having the form of wind. In the Carpathian region, between 15 31st of July, the weather was unstable, but warm, temperature humidity index (ITU) reaching and surpassing the threshold of 80 units. Precipitations were often in the form of rain, accompanied by lightning and hail. In August, positive deviations were increasingly larger starting from west to east of the country, the values were exceeded by 1.5 to 2.0C (climate normal in the Western Plain) to values exceeded by more than 4C of the average climate in the southeast. In the south and east of the country, hot days and tropical nights had a high frequency, humidity comfort index (ITU) has reached and exceeded the critical threshold of 80 units. Rainfalls were in excess in the mountains and in the west, but poor in the south and southeast. In the first half of the month there were frequent rains, especially rains, accompanied by windy storm and hail. In September, average monthly temperatures exceeded the climate normals in the southeast and the extreme northwest were below climate normal. Precipitations have exceeded the climate normals in the northern half of the country. Between 28-30th of September has been a sharp cooling of the weather, it rained in most regions, and in the mountains with altitudes of over 1700m rainfalls were under the form of sleet and snow. In October, precipitations were in excess in the east, southeast, south and west end of the country, and on the restricted areas of the central regions, were below climate normals. The largest total amount of precipitations during the month, except the mountains, was 224.6 l/m2, in Apa Neagra locality, Gorj county. Between 1-15th of October frost occurred on large areas in Northern and central regions and locally in the rest of the territory. In November, the thermal regime at national level was situated well above average showing deviations of 3-6C over the climate normals, in some southern weather stations the absolute maximum temperature of the month was exceeded. The total quantities of precipitation were deficient in eastern Wallachia, south of Transylvania and in surplus in Crisana, Oltenia, Moldova and East of Transylvania. In the last decade there has been a thin layer of snow in Maramures, Transylvania, Moldova and isolated in northern Dobrogea, Wallachia and Oltenia. However, in some mountain areas the snow reached 35 cm. In the south, east and the mountains, the rains had the form of shower accompanied by lightning and isolated hail (on 23rd November at Calarasi, Medgidia and Videle). In December, average temperatures were below normal in large areas of south and east of the country. In the intervals 6-9th of December and 21-25th of December the weather warmed significantly. Total quantity of precipitations during the month was in excess throughout the country. Between 6 to 9th of December rainfalls also manifested in the form of showers and in Constanta county lightning was reported. The largest total amount of precipitations during the month, except the mountains, was 322.5 l/m2, in Stna de Vale locality, Bihor county.

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

1.1.3. DEMOGRAPHY

Demographic characteristics, total number of population, density, age structure, which directly affects the pressure exerted on the environment. According to the 2002 census, Romania has a population of 21 680 974 inhabitants. In the period 1990-2009, Romania's population declined from 23 211 395 to 21 498 616 inhabitants, recording a decline of 7.37% (graphic 3). Population density: 93.78 inhabitants/km Urban population: approximately 55.05 % Rural population: approximately 44,94 %. The highest population density of 1067.53 inhabitants/km2 region is recorded in Bucharest - Ilfov and the lowest density, 59.88 inhabitants/km2, is recorded in the Western Region.
Bucharest is also the largest city and is also the capital of Romania. At the 2002 census, the city's population exceeded 1.9 million inhabitants, while the metropolitan area of Bucharest has a population of approximately 2.2 inhabitants In Romania there are 6 cities that have a large number of inhabitants (about 300,000 inhabitants) and fall in the ranking of the most populated cities in the European Union. These are: Galati, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Constanta and Craiova. Other cities with a population exceeding 200,000 inhabitants are: Braov, Ploieti, Brila and Oradea. Also, there are still 13 other cities that concentrate a greater number of 100,000 inhabitants. Currently, some of the largest cities are included in a metropolitan area: Constanta (450,000 inhabitants), Brasov, Iasi (both with a population of about 400,000 people) and Oradea (260,000 inhabitants), while others are planned: Braila-Galati (600,000 inhabitants), Timisoara (400,000 inhabitants), Cluj-Napoca (400,000 inhabitants), Craiova (370,000 inhabitants), Bacau and Ploiesti.
Graphic 3, Demographic evolution, during the period 1990 2009

Source: TEMPO database of the National Institute of Statistics)

1.1.4. TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION From administrative point of view, the Romanian territory is organized into communes, towns and counties (41 plus Bucharest). From historical point of view, there are 3 traditional provinces: Wallachia (including Oltenia, Walachia and Dobrogea regions), Moldova and Transylvania (including Transylvania and Banat regions).

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

1.6. Administrative map of Romania

One of European Union' objectives is to promote economic and social progress, balanced and sustainable development by strengthening cohesion among member countries. Region (administrative territorial unit) is seen by the Council of Europe, as the unit just below the state level, with authority of Public Administration and having chosen their own financial means. Romania is divided into administrative units called counties. In order to apply the regional development policy, in Romania were established 8 development regions as a result of an agreement between the county and local level counsels corresponding to NUTS 2 level (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) of EU divisions, but without regional administrative responsibilities. Development regions refer to the regional subdivisions of Romania created in 1998 and works in particular for the coordination of regional development projects. Developing regions are not administrative units, do not have legal personality, being the result of an agreement between the county and local counsels. Romania's development regions are named after geographical position occupied in the country:

1.7. Development region map

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Chapter.1. Country profile

Northeast Region 1, consisting of the following counties: Iai, Botoani, Neam, Suceava, Bacu, Vaslui. Totals 3,715,999 inhabitants and an area of 36,850 km . Southeast Region 2, consisting of the following counties: Vrancea, Galai, Brila, Tulcea, Buzu, Constana. Totals 2.819.565 inhabitants and an area of 35.762km . South Wallachia Region 3, consisting of the following counties: Prahova, Dmbovia, Arge, Ialomia, Clrai, Giurgiu, Teleorman. Totals 3,271,207 inhabitants, an area of 34,450 km South-West Oltenia Region 4, consisting of the following counties: Mehedini, Gorj, Vlcea, Olt, Dolj. Totals 2.285.360 inhabitants and an area of 29.212km . West Region 5, consisting of the following counties: Arad, Cara-Severin, Hunedoara i Timi. Totals .918.146 inhabitants and an area of 32.034km Northwest Region 6, consisting of the following counties: Bihor, Bistria-Nsud, Cluj, Maramure, Satu-Mare and Slaj. Totals 2.719.936 inhabitants and an area of 34.159 km. Center Region 7, consisting of the following counties: Alba, Sibiu, Mure, Harghita, Covasna, Braov. Totals 2,545,650 inhabitants and an area of 34.100km . Bucharest-Ilfov Region 8. formed from Bucharest municipality and Ilfov county Totals 1,943,981 inhabitants and an area of 1.821km.
Source: Romania's Statistic Yearbook, 2009 edition

1.1.5. NATURAL RESOURCES The total of Romania's capitalizing resources, through its geographic and geologic environment form the natural resources. These are: non-renewable resources - minerals and fossil fuels; renewable resources - water, air, soil, flora, wild fauna, including the non-exhausting ones - sun, wind, geothermal and wave energy. Between the components of the natural resources, there are strong links and interactions, so that any anthropic intervention on one of them inevitably affects the others too. The use of these resources is complex, coordinated, for simultaneously fulfilment of more objectives. Non-renewable natural resources The natural raw material non-renewable resources are energy generation sources, especially made of fossil fuels, whose typical representatives are mainly: hydrocarbons (petrol, natural gases) and coal deposits. Other non-renewable resources are: ferrous and non-ferrous metal deposits, useful rocks. Some of these resources have been exploited and processed with technologies that led to massive pollution of some country's areas. The emissions of atmospheric pollutants from the industrial activities (energy, chemical petrochemical industry, siderurgical and metallurgical industry, building materials' industry etc.) substantially contribute to environmental pollution. Renewable natural resources The most important renewable natural resources of Romania are: water resources, made of surface waters - rivers, lakes, Danube River and underground waters, soil, fauna, flora, forests, sun and wind energy. A special resource category is the mineral waters (sparkling, sulphur, ferruginous waters etc.) and geothermal waters. These resources can be used unlimited if used rationally. Their exploitation above their natural renewal rate leads to their diminishing and finally to their exhaustion. Of the 27 major water inland courses, the longest interior river is the river Mures, 761 km long and the shortest river is the river Trotu, with 162 km in length. The most extended hydrographical basin is the one 2 of the Siret river, having a surface of 42.890 km . Along with the Carpathians and Black Sea, Danube represents one of the major components of the natural environment of our country. Danube's course may be subdivided in four sectors: Bazia - Porile de Fier (Iron Gates) sector; Portile de Fier - Clrai sector; Clrai - Brila sector; Brila - Black Sea sector. Being the second largest river in Europe, after Volga, Danube is a water source for different uses, food (fish fauna) and cheap energy, by means of the hydroelectric power plants from the Iron Gate I and II. The Danube forms, when meeting the Black Sea, one of the most beautiful wet areas in Europe, 2 namely the Danube Delta, with a total surface of 4,178 km , distributed on the territory of two neighbouring countries: Romania and Ukraine. The Black Sea is Romania's gate towards seas and oceans, and Black Sea seaside and coast area offers a variety of conditions for harnessing the underground riches (petroleum, natural gas), aquatic (the fish fauna) and land ones (tourism and leisure). There are over 3,450 lakes in Romania, with a total surface of approximately 1.1% of the entire surface of the country. Generally, the lakes have small surfaces, as approximately 91.5% of them have 2 below one km . As for their origin, the lakes are divided in natural and anthropical lakes. The main natural lakes occupy a total surface of 92,892.3 ha. The main athropical lakes occupy the total surface (on normal

10

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

retention level) of 102.454 ha, in this surface being also included the Portile de Fier lake surface, at the confluence of river Nera-Danube and the barrage, of 70,000 ha. A special category of the natural regenerative resources is represented by the water springs. In Romania are known over 56 types of natural mineral waters. More than a third of the mineral waters in Europe are encountered in Romania. Since antiquity, some of the lakes that were built up inside the craters of the old salt mines or arisen from the erosion or collapse of parts of the mountains were known as having therapeutic effects. In turn, these lakes form another source of treatment. The following spas are very wellknown: Bile Herculane, Bile Felix, Covasna, Sovata, Bile Tunad, Vatra Dornei, Slnic Moldova, Mangalia, Eforie Nord, Govora, Bile Olneti, Climneti, Cciulata etc. Out of the total surface of the country of 61.71% is represented by the agricultural surface, 28.28% being forests and forest vegetation and 10.02% waters and other surfaces. The pedo-climatic resources of Romania are a renewable potential represented by fertile soils, as: chernozems from the Romanian Plain, West Plain, Moldova's Plateau, Transylvania's Plain, Dobrogea and other areas. The agricultural soils occupy 14.7 million ha, the tillable ones being of 9.4 million ha and the forests around 6.7 million ha. The vegetation varies, with a highly originality tendency. The following three areas of vegetations may be distinguished: alpine, forest and steppe. The alpine vegetation from mountain areas is very vulnerable to the environmental factors and anthropogenesis ones, as they regenerate in an extremely difficult manner. This is why some species are represented by little exemplars and easily disappear as result of the activity of the interfering factors. The main dangers are the uncontrolled pasturage and tourism. The steppe and silvosteppe vegetation spreading in areas short on humidity on Dobrogea's Plateau, the Romanian Plain, Moldova's Plateau and West Plain, was mostly replaced by agricultural cultures. The significant variety of the flora and fauna in Romania derives from the complexity of the relief. Romania's flora and fauna are harmoniously divided and form a highly valuable wealth, based on the controlled and rational exploitation. Romania is a country with a great biological variety and a high percentage of natural ecosystems. The fauna is rich in species, some protected, as such: the black goat, bear, rock aquila, lynx, blackcock, birch cock and other species of hunting interest. Romanian forests preserve a genofund of great diversity. In order to preserve this valuable natural capital and to ensure a favourable conservation status for natural habitats of great natural and community importance, Romania has taken important steps, by implementing the legislative elements specific to the European Union, as well as of some programs and projects dedicated to preserving the biodiversity. In Romania there are protected areas comprising of 79 scientific reservations, 13 national parks, with the largest one named Domogled - Valea Cernei, 190 natural monuments, 671 natural reservations, 15 natural parks (including Danube Delta) 3 biosphere reservations (Danube Delta, Retezat and Rodna) and 273 sites of communitary importance. 1.1.6. ECONOMY According to the Constitution of 1991, Romania's economy is a market economy. According to it, the state is obliged to ensure free trade and fair competition protection. Romania's economy does so by the law of demand and supply. With an estimated GDP of 513.6 billion lei in 2010 (graphic 4), Romania is part of the middle- higher income countries. GDP value in 2000-2010
Year GDP billion RON GDP billion EUR GDP billion USD 2010 513.6 122.0 161,6 2009 491,3 115,9 161,1 2008 503,9 136,8 200,0 2007 404,7 121,2 166 2006 342,4 97,1 121,9 2005 287,2 79,2 98,6 2004 238,7 58,9 73,1 2003 189,1 50,3 56,9 2002 151,4 48,4 45,8 2001 116,7 44,8 40,1 2000 80,3 40,2 37

Source: INS Ro
600 Pib (mld lei) 500 400 300 200 100 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 80.3 116.7 151.4 189.1 238.7 342.4 287.2 404.7 503.9 491.3 513.6

Graphic 4. GDP evolution in Romania 2000-2010

The main sectors of the Romanian economy are: industry, energy, construction, agriculture, tourism, communications (internet, mobile and landline phone), commerce, trade and public sector. 11

Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

Romania's main industries are: textiles and footwear, metallurgy, light machinery and assembly of machinery, mining, wood processing, building materials, chemical, food and oil extraction and refining. Pharmaceutical industry, heavy machinery and household appliances, IT has a steady annual growth. Currently, the car industry is very wide and is oriented towards the market. Romania's economic power is focused primarily on the production of goods by small and medium enterprises, in industries such as precision machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, household appliances and clothing, etc. Romania has an agricultural area of 14.7 million hectares, of which ten million are occupied by arable land. After an assessment made in November 2008, approximately 6.8 million agricultural acres are worked. Due to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Romania benefits from agricultural funds worth 14.5 billion euros in 20072013, as mentioned by the World Bank Partnership Strategy with Romania. By its geographical location, Romania is the intersection of several lines of transport, linking Northern and Southern Europe and East and West of it. On the other hand, the transports network in Romania ensures the link between the Community transports network and the transport network of non-neighboring states in Eastern Europe and Asia (road, rail, air and water). On 31.12.2010, the public roads in Romania totalled 82,386 km, of which 16,552 km (20.1%) of national roads, 35,221 km (42.8%) county roads and 30,613 km of (37.1%) commune roads. However, some of the national roads are part of European roads. European roads that pass through Romania are: E58; E60; E68; E70; E79; E81; E85; E87 (Class A); E574; E576; E577; E578; E581; E583; E584; E671; E673; E675; E771 (class B). Romania had, in early 2010, 310 km of highway. On 1 January 2010, there were in execution sections of about 185 km. The main highways in Romania are: A1 motorway (Bucureti-Piteti-Sibiu-Deva-Timioara-AradNdlac, total of 558 km projected, 128 km in use, Bucureti-Piteti Nord and Sibiu ring road, A2 motorway (Sun Motorway, Bucharest-Constanta total 233 km projected / 166km in use), A3 motorway Bucharest-Brasov-Bors, total 582 km projected / 54km in use, Cmpia Turzii-Cluj Napoca Vest.

1.8. Romania Road map

In August 2009, in Romania there were 382 km of expressways. Among the existing express road routes are Bucharest-Giurgiu Constanta-Mangalia, Bucharest-Urziceni The railway infrastructure includes 22.247 km of railway, of which approximately 8.585km electrified lines and 2.617km double lines, most of the standard gauge is of 1.435mm, railway network is the fourth largest in Europe.

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Annual report State of environmental factors in Romania, 2010

Chapter.1. Country profile

1.9. Railway network map

Romania's main airports are: Henri Coanda (Otopeni) international airport, located 10 km from Bucharest and Aurel Vlaicu (Baneasa), Bucharest airport. In addition, operate also other airports located in the cities of Constanta, Timisoara, Arad, Sibiu, Suceava, Bacau, Baia Mare, Caransebes, Cluj - Napoca, Craiova, Iasi, Oradea, Satu Mare, Targu Mures, Tulcea. Romanian river transport has great growth potential due to navigale rivers and waterways of the Danube River. River network has 1 731 km of navigable waters of which: 1 075 km on the Danube, 524 km and 132 km river side channels. The main Romanian ports: Black sea ports: Constanta - the largest Romanian port and also the largest port at the Black Sea, Mangalia and Midia - Navodari and Sulina; Danube ports: Moldova Nou, Orova, Drobeta - Turnu Severin, Calafat, Corabia, Turnu Mgurele, Zimnicea, Giurgiu, Oltenia, Clrai, Cernavod, Hrova, Mcin, Brila, Galai, Tulcea; ports on the Danube Channel - Black Sea: Cernavod, Medgidia, Basarabi, Agigea South Constana.

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