In preparation for my World Race, I decided to do my research on the countries I will be traveling to, and I wanted you all to learn about them too!
So, next up is ROMANIA!
We will be in Brasov, Romania for Debrief, which is 5 days long, to discuss everything that happened in the first month of the World Race. We do not do debriefs every month, just the ones that are typically challenging for Racers. After Debrief, my entire squad will be heading to Draganesti-Olt, Romania for the remainder of the month!
MAP OF ROMANIA WITHIN EUROPE
MAP OF ROMANIA
Summary
- Romania is quickly rising out of the impoverished state left from the Soviet era.
- Still, economic growth is out of reach for millions, known as gypsies, who live nomadically within the country’s borders.
- Though strangers in their homeland and rejected by society, gypsies are a strong and vibrant people.
Area
- 238,397 sq km (Texas is approximately 2.9 times as big as Romania)
Culture
- Many Romanian people tend to be very superstitious people.
- Romanians usually cook large meals and invite people over. Declining an invitation is perceived as a personal insult.
- Men are expected to always open the doors for women and pay for meals when they get together, even if it’s not a date. Most women will offer to pay for their meal though!
What am I going to do there?
- I don’t know yet, but will be finding out soon! However, it is All-Squad Month, so I will not only be with my team, SOLDOD, but the other three teams as well!
Climate
- Romania has a temperate climate, similar to the northeastern 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 colorful 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.
- There are significant regional differences of the climate between different regions of Romania.
Language
- The official language of Romania is Romanian.
How to say hello
- Servus, Ceau (SEHR-voos, chow)
Fun Facts
- Romania’s 22,298km rail network is the 15th most extensive in the world. Bucharest’s mass transit network is the fourth largest in Europe.
- The tallest wooden church in the world and the second tallest wooden structure in Europe is found in Sapanta Peri, Maramures of northwestern Romania. The 257-foot tall church is topped by a 23-foot cross that weighs 1,000lbs.
- The first ever perfect 10 awarded in the Olympic Games went to Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci for her performance on the uneven bars in Montreal, Canada in 1976.
- Romania is home to four Nobel Prize laureates: George Emil Palade (medicine), Elie Wiesel (peace), Herta Müller (literature) and Stefan Hell (chemistry).
- The Parliament Palace in Romania’s capital of Bucharest is the second largest building in the world, behind only the Pentagon. The building is 84m high. It is also the heaviest building in the world.
Is it safe?
- Yes!
If you want to read other blogs in the Where in the World series, click on the country below!
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