20 key facts about Romania

Relevant to the US

  1. A member of NATO since 2004 and of the European Union (EU) since 2007. Romania has the 6th largest population of the EU’s 27 Member States. A Romanian became for the first time NATO Deputy Secretary General in 2019 and the first from an Eastern European Country.
  2. The most pro-American country in the European Union. 80% of Romanians have positive feelings toward the USA. Romania is a champion state in promoting the transatlantic relationship.
  3. Romania and the United States of America established diplomatic relations in 1880.
  4. Up to one million Romanian-Americans live and work in the United States. The largest communities of Romanians are in California, Florida, New York, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, and Washington.
  5. Romania and the United States celebrated in 2022 the 25th anniversary since the launch of the Strategic Partnership. Since then, Romanian-American relations have evolved spectacularly, with strong ties forged in the military and security cooperation and intensification of economic cooperation.
  6. Romania is a core partner in protecting the U.S. and NATO allies against ballistic missile threats. In 2016, the missile shield became operational at the Naval Support Facility Deveselu (Romania), the first U.S. Navy base to be established in almost 30 years since Naval Station Everett in Washington (1987).
  7. Romania has taken in a large number of refugees from Ukraine. More than 7 million refugees have fled to Romania since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Romania has the longest border with Ukraine of all EU and NATO member states: 381.4 miles.
  8. Romania meets the 2% GDP defense spending NATO commitment. Recently, Romania decided to increase its defense budget to 2.5% of GDP. Romania is a steadfast ally of the United States: Romanian and U.S. armed forces have fought side by side, in Afghanistan and Iraq, with all the tragedy and accomplishments this entailed.
  9. Romania sits across the best land and sea routes connecting the EU with the Balkan Peninsula, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East; it has the largest port on the Black Sea (Constanta), as well as the European waterway connection via the Danube River, being a real gateway to the European market.
  10. A pillar of political and economic stability in a complex region. The latest data from 2022 show that Romania’s GDP per capita expressed in purchase parity standards reached 77% of the European Union average, up from 74% in 2021 and 57% in 2012.
  11. Romania has become a model for the fight against corruption in the region. In 2019, the former chief prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate became the first European Chief Prosecutor.
  12. Offers numerous opportunities for US partners and investors in all sectors of a diverse and dynamic economy: energy, automotive, agriculture, IT, transportation, infrastructure and real estate. Significant US investments in Romania: Exxon, Ford Motor, Honeywell, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, etc.
  13. Romania is the leader in Europe and ranks 4th in the world, with the fastest broadband internet connection.
  14. Automotive sector: Romania is the 4th largest vehicle manufacturing base in Central and Eastern Europe.
  15. Romania and the USA were recorded as the first oil producers in the world, 150 years ago. The first Romanian-American oil company was set up in 1903. Romania is the biggest producer of oil and natural gas in Central and Eastern Europe.
  16. Romania is one of the few countries in the world with a complete nuclear cycle. Romania will be the first country to build a next-generation nuclear power station using U.S.-designed small modular reactor (SMR) technology.
  17. The most powerful laser in Europe and the second worldwide was built in Romania.
  18. The Romanian language is derived from Latin (same as Italian, French, Spanish, or Portuguese).
  19. English is used as the primary foreign language by Romanians, and many have good language skills.
  20. An exciting and authentic tourist destination – one of Europe’s last windows to the past, an eclectic mix between modern and old Europe; pristine natural environments.