Romania
The market for holiday and investment properties in Romania is still relatively untapped. However, tourist numbers are increasing to this Balkan state every year as more and more people grow to realise just how much this country has to offer.
Geography
Romania is situated in southeast Europe and has borders with Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova and a relatively small Black Sea Coast of about 90 miles.
Romania’s territory is made up of four regions: the Danube Plain in the south, where the River Danube carves the border with Bulgaria and meets the Black Sea – the resulting Danube delta is the largest natural delta in Europe and was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site because of its importance to many different species. Resorts such as Mamaia are popular with both Romanians and foreign visitors in the summer. To the east is the Plateau of Moldova and across the centre of the country are the Carpathian Mountains, forming a U-shape around the interior section which makes up the fourth region – Transylvania.
The capital city is Bucharest and it is here that Vogue Estates currently offers property for sale in Romania. Situated in the south on the Danube Plain, Bucharest is well positioned to enjoy many of the aspects this country has to offer and indeed Bucharest itself has many top attractions – historical and culturally important architecture including the Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world and the Arcul de Triumf (Triumphal Arch), modelled after Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.
Bucharest is a booming city with much new development taking place including property, shopping malls and office buildings, as such, potential for successful investment and high rental returns is very good.
Romania’s climate is continental, meaning hot, dry summers and potentially cold and snowy winters. In Bucharest, the summer average maximum is around 27C (81F) although temperatures can reach into the mid to high 30’s. In the winter it can often get below 0C. On the coast, the temperature range is not quite so extreme.
History
Romania’s borders have changed many times in its history – in Roman times the country made up the Roman imperial province of Dacia and then in the Middle Ages the two principalities of Walachia and Moldavia which were both consumed within the Ottoman Empire. In 1859 these two principalities became unified and gained independence in 1878. The Central Powers conquered in 1916, but following a peace settlement Romania actually emerged with more land, including Transylvania. Following becoming a Socialist Republic under Soviet influence, then a virtual dictatorship from 1974, unrest occurred in 1989 and eventually led to a new constitution in 1991. Now Romania is governed by a unitary semi-presidential republic. They became a member of the EU on January 1, 2007.
Cuisine
Romanian cuisine is very much influenced by the area’s Balkan cuisine but also has its own traditional dishes. One of the most common dishes is called mamaliga – a cornmeal mash. Pork is the most popular meat and tocatura, which is a kind of stew, is often served with mamaliga. Romania is the world’s 9th largest wine producer and wine is the drink of choice here.
Currency
The currency of Romania is the Leu which consists of 100 bani (singular: ban). It is expected that they will adopt the Euro but not until 2014.
Language
Romanian is the official language.
Featured Property
Melbourne Residence
- Price : 172,987 EUR
- Location : Bucharest
- Description:
Melbourne Residence consists of modern duplex apartments of three bedrooms and three bathrooms, located in one of the fastest growing areas of Europe and with potentially very high rental incomes. There are four different types of apartments, with sizes between 124 and 168 sq metres....