🇷🇴 Romania Quiz: Test Yourself on Europe’s Hidden Gem

Romania shares borders with 5 countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. Its longest border is with Ukraine, stretching over 600 km. This long border connects Romania to Ukraine in the north and northeast, including areas near the Danube Delta. Ukraine and Romania also share cultural and historical ties, especially in regions like Bukovina and Maramureș, where both Ukrainian and Romanian communities live.

Moldoveanu Peak, located in the Făgăraș Mountains (Southern Carpathians), is Romania’s highest point at 2,544 meters (8,346 ft). It is a popular hiking destination, offering breathtaking views. Climbers usually start from Victoria or the Bâlea Lake area. The Făgăraș range is often called the “Transylvanian Alps” due to its dramatic landscapes.

Timișoara, located in western Romania near the borders with Hungary and Serbia, was named European Capital of Culture in 2023. Known as the “Little Vienna” for its architecture, it was also the first city in Europe to use electric street lighting (1884). Timișoara played a historic role in the 1989 Revolution that overthrew communism in Romania. Its designation as a cultural capital highlights Romania’s contributions to European art, music, and history.

The Romanian flag is a vertical tricolor of blue (left), yellow (middle), and red (right). These colors symbolize liberty (blue), justice (yellow), and fraternity (red). It is very similar to the flag of Chad, although Romania’s shades of blue differ slightly. The flag has been associated with Romanian national movements since the 19th century.

Bucharest (Romanian: București) is Romania’s capital and largest city, located in the southern part of the country on the banks of the Dâmbovița River. With a population of over 1.8 million (metro area over 2.5 million), it is the cultural, industrial, and financial hub of Romania. Bucharest became the capital in 1862 after Wallachia and Moldavia united to form modern Romania. Known as the “Little Paris of the East” during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it still features a mix of neoclassical architecture, communist-era buildings, and modern skyscrapers.

The Danube Delta, where the Danube River empties into the Black Sea, is one of Europe’s most biodiverse regions. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, home to over 300 species of birds, including pelicans, herons, and cormorants. The delta also has rare fish, amphibians, and unique wetland ecosystems. Covering 4,152 km² in Romania, it is the second-largest river delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta.

Romania uses the Romanian Leu (RON) as its currency. “Leu” means “lion” in Romanian, symbolizing strength. Although Romania is in the EU, it has not yet adopted the Euro due to the economic convergence criteria. Plans for Euro adoption exist but have been postponed multiple times. One Leu is divided into 100 bani (coins).

Mărțișor is celebrated on March 1st, marking the beginning of spring. People exchange small red-and-white string talismans called “mărțișoare,” symbolizing health, love, and good fortune. This tradition dates back thousands of years and is recognized by UNESCO as part of Romania’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. It reflects Romania’s deep connection to nature and seasonal cycles.

Romania has excelled in multiple sports:

• Gymnastics – Nadia Comăneci and other Olympic champions.

• Tennis – Simona Halep, former world number one and Wimbledon champion.

• Football – Romania’s national team had golden eras, especially in the 1990s with Gheorghe Hagi, nicknamed the “Maradona of the Carpathians.”
  This makes Romania known for diverse sporting talent on the global stage.

Romania joined the European Union on January 1, 2007, alongside Bulgaria. EU membership has strengthened Romania’s economy, infrastructure, and political integration into Europe. Romania is also a member of NATO (since 2004), the United Nations, and other international organizations, reflecting its strategic position in Southeastern Europe.

Romania has a 245 km (152 mi) coastline along the Black Sea. The Black Sea provides access to important trade routes and is connected to the North Sea through the Danube–Main–Rhine Canal. The port of Constanța is one of Europe’s busiest ports and the largest on the Black Sea. The Black Sea coast is also a popular tourist destination with resorts like Mamaia.

Transylvania is located in central Romania, bordered by the Carpathian Mountains. It is historically known for its multi-ethnic population, including Romanians, Hungarians, and Germans (Saxons). The region is most famous worldwide because of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, which drew inspiration from the 15th-century ruler Vlad the Impaler. However, Transylvania is also celebrated for its medieval castles, fortified churches, and picturesque landscapes.

The majority of Romanians (around 80–85%) belong to the Romanian Orthodox Church, part of Eastern Orthodoxy. It plays a central role in Romania’s cultural identity, traditions, and festivals. Catholic and Protestant minorities exist, especially among Hungarian and German communities. Islam is also practiced in the Dobruja region near the Black Sea by the Tatar minority.

Romania has a long history of gold mining, especially in the Apuseni Mountains (Transylvania). The Roșia Montană mines were exploited since Roman times. Romania also has oil, which made it strategically important in World War II, but its ancient reputation as a land of “gold and riches” is deeply tied to Transylvania’s mineral wealth.

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest is the second-largest administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon in the USA). It covers 365,000 m², has over 1,000 rooms, and weighs 4.1 million tons. Built during Nicolae Ceaușescu’s communist regime in the 1980s, it is a symbol of both grandeur and excess. Today, it houses the Romanian Parliament and serves as a tourist attraction.

Romania officially became a member of the European Union on January 1, 2007. Before joining, Romania underwent extensive reforms to meet EU standards in governance, economy, and law. EU membership has increased foreign investment and trade, although Romania is still working towards full economic alignment with Western Europe.

King Michael I ruled Romania twice, first as a child (1927–1930) and then from 1940–1947. He played a key role in World War II by leading a coup against the pro-Nazi regime of Ion Antonescu in 1944, which switched Romania to the Allied side. After the war, the rise of communism forced Michael I to abdicate in 1947 under Soviet pressure. Romania then became a People’s Republic, ending its monarchy. Michael lived in exile for decades but was admired as a symbol of Romanian dignity.

Nadia Comăneci became a global legend when she scored the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics at the 1976 Montreal Olympics at just 14 years old. She won three gold medals at that event and inspired generations of athletes. The scoreboard at the time was not even designed to display a perfect 10, so it showed “1.00” instead of “10.00.” Today, she is one of Romania’s greatest sports icons.

Bran Castle, located near Brașov in Transylvania, is commonly associated with the Dracula legend. Although there is no historical evidence that Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) lived there, tourism marketing has connected the castle with Bram Stoker’s novel. Today, it is one of Romania’s most visited landmarks, with its medieval towers, narrow passageways, and eerie ambiance.

The Danube River, Europe’s second-longest river (after the Volga), flows through 10 countries, including Romania. In Romania, it forms the southern border with Bulgaria and eventually empties into the Black Sea, creating the Danube Delta—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Danube is crucial for Romania’s trade, energy, and biodiversity.

Romania’s population in 2025 is about 19 million, making it the 7th most populous country in the EU. However, its population has been declining due to emigration and low birth rates. Millions of Romanians live abroad in countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, and the UK, making Romania one of Europe’s largest sources of migrants.

Vlad III, known as Vlad Țepeș (the Impaler), ruled Wallachia in the 15th century. He was infamous for his brutal punishments, especially impaling enemies on stakes, which gave him a terrifying reputation. Although he defended his land against the Ottomans, his cruelty inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional vampire Count Dracula. Vlad remains a controversial figure—considered a hero by some for resisting Ottoman expansion, but feared for his ruthless methods.

The Hora is a traditional Romanian circle dance performed at weddings, festivals, and national celebrations. Dancers join hands in a large circle and step rhythmically to folk music. The Hora symbolizes unity, friendship, and cultural identity. A special version called “Hora Unirii” (The Union Hora) is associated with Romania’s national unity in the 19th century.

Romanian is the official and most widely spoken language. It belongs to the Romance language family, derived directly from Latin. This makes Romania unique in Eastern Europe, where most neighboring countries speak Slavic or Uralic languages. Romanian shares similarities with Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Minority languages such as Hungarian and Romani are also spoken by significant communities.

The Carpathian Mountains arc across central and northern Romania, covering about one-third of the country. They are divided into the Eastern, Southern, and Western Carpathians. These mountains are rich in biodiversity, including bears, wolves, and lynxes. Historically, they acted as a natural barrier between Transylvania and neighboring regions. Their highest point in Romania is Moldoveanu Peak (2,544 m). The Carpathians are also a source of mineral wealth such as salt and gold.