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    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

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    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

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    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

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    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

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    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of Romania

Geography

Romanian Geography - Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains

Romania is the largest country on the Balkan Peninsula, reaching from the Black Sea inland. Romania is bordered by Hungary (northwest), Serbia (southwest), Bulgaria (south), Ukraine (east and north), and Moldova (northeast).

Geographically, Romania is a fairly flat and level country, but has a number of hills and a stretch of mountains. From the north, stretching into the middle of the country, and to the west runs a narrow line of the Carpathian Mountains. For most of this stretch the mountains are more hills at elevations than towering peaks. The rest of the country is very flat and the Danube River flows along the country's southern border before flowing into the Black Sea on Romania's east coast. This low-lying land is very fertile and livable, but along the Black Sea is also very susceptible to flooding.

Weather

Romanian Geography - Danube River delta
Danube River delta

Romania's seasons are very distinct, but there are significant geographical variations. Romania is fairly humid year round as rain is not unusual during the summers and snow, especially in the mountains, is not uncommon in the winters. However, the country doesn't receive as much rain as much of Western Europe and the precipitation amounts dwindle as you move east.

Winters (December-February) can be very cold and rarely get above freezing in the mountains, while the Danube Delta will rarely fall to the freezing point.

Summers are still cool in the mountains, with decently hot days, but cold nights. Days can get to 80˚ F (27˚ C), while nights cool to a crisp 60˚ F (14˚ C). The coast averages about 73˚ F (23˚ C) during the summer, and has daily highs about the same as the mountains at 80˚ F (27˚ C).

Romanian Geography - Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains

The spring and fall (autumn) are in between the summer and winter extremes. The mountains are warmer than the winter and the coasts aren't too hot yet. However, some mountain areas can be dangerous due to avalanches and water runoff during the spring.

Wildlife

Romania has great wildlife variety moving south from the country's mountains to the Danube River delta and the Black Sea. In the mountains, bears, deer, wolves, and boars can be found. In the lowlands, along the Danube delta, and in the Black Sea fish is more common, including the sturgeon.

The Danube delta also boasts a large number of bird species, which feed off the small fish in the rivers and lakes.

This page was last updated: November, 2013