ROMANIA

1. ROMANIA

2. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land • TOPICS • Positioning • Religion • Economy • Major Cities • History • Tourism • Personalities • The End Of The Presentation Press the topic you want to follow

3. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Position • Romania is located in the central-southern part of the Europe, at the middle of the distance between the Equator and the North Pole (45° N latitude), (25° E longitude), almost at the middle of the distance between the extremities of the European continent. • Neighbours with Moldavia, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and with the Black Sea, through its 244 km coastline. • Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms. • Back to the main topics

4. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Religion • The majority Romanian citizens are orthodox (86,8%). • Other important religions include the Roman Catholicism (4.7%), Protestantism (3.7%), Pentecostal denominations (1.5%) and the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church (0.9%). Romania also has a small but historically significant Muslim minority, concentrated in Dobrodja, who are mostly of Turkish ethnicity and number 67,500 people. Based on the 2002 census data, there are also approximately 6,000 Jews and 23,105 people who are of no religion and/or atheist. • The Romanian Orthodox Church is among the largest autocephalous, or ecclesiastically independent Eastern Orthodox churches in the Balkans today. • Christianity first reached Dacia under the Roman Empire as early as the 4th century A. D. Back to the main topics

5. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Economy • Romania’s natural potential is a solid base for the varied industrial activities. The forests (26,7% of the surface) are an important prime source. • Romania has various natural resources: coal, oil, natural gas, iron, copper, bauxite, gold. The most important exports have traditionally been manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, fuels, minerals and metals, and foods. • Agriculture remains important. Romania is a large producer of many agricultural products and is currently expanding its fishery industries. Back to the main topics

6. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Major Cities • Bucharest – the capital – the most important urban centre of Romaniawith a population over two million people.Between the World Wars, was named “Little Paris”. Its cultural establishments, part of the European culture, and its opera, operetta, theatres, philharmonics are well known around the world. Many museums reveal the richness of Bucharest‘s cultural and historic life. Bucharest is the political administrative, economic and cultural centre. • Timisoara – A city of Roman origins, it was a fortress at important crossroads. Timisoara was the spark of the Romanian anti-communist upheaval of 1989. You can enjoy a walk through the town, stopping at the monumental Roman Catholic Cathedral (1736-73), the Serbian Cathedral (1748, restored 1791), and the Old City Square, which currently undergoes restoration work. Take a break to visit the city Museum, housed in a restored 14th-century palace. And remember to visit the Opera Place, where the Romanian revolution began. Click here for the rest of the major cities

7. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Major Cities • Iasi - is the largest Moldavian city with more than 600 years of history and a major cultural center.A tour of the town cannot miss the church of St. Nicholas built by Stephen the Great in the 15th century, or the magnificent Golia Monastery. But the highlight is the Church of the Three Hierarchs built between 1635-39. • Brasov – it is situated in the heart of Romania. With it’s fantastic landscapes and ancient buildings, this town is worth a visit, especially if you are interested to find out things about the Romania’s past, because it has a really rich and remarkable history. It is one of the most oldest cities in our country. Back to the main topics

8. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land History • Historians say that the “parents” of the Romanian people are the Dacians and the Romans. It is proved that the Dacians were the first on our territories and when the Danube became the border between Dacia and the Roman Empire it cannot stop the Romans to conquer Dacia. There were two bloody wars (101-102 A.D. and 105-106 A.D) between Decebal (the Dacian king) and Traian (the Roman king). • During the history, there were three diferent Romanian kingdoms all three speaking the same language and having the same traditions and habits: Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia. The first unify was for a very short time (less than one year) done by Michael The Brave, a Wallachian king in 1600. • All the Romanian history is a battle to unify all three kingdoms and to defend them against the three Empires we neighbored with: the Russian Empire, the Turkish Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Traian Decebal Dacian Flag in battle. (a snake with wolf-head) Michel The Brave Click here for more history, or click here to go back to the main topics

9. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land History • On January 24, 1859, took place the first political unity between two of the three Romanian kingdoms, Moldavia and Walachia under one single rule, that of Alexandru Ioan Cuza. • In 1862, Bucharest became the official capital of Romania. • The final unify took place on the 18th of December 1918, day which became the Romanian National Day. • Romania took part to the both World Wars. During the Second World War, Romania took part along Germany against Russia in order to bring back the Romanian territories, and ended the war along Russia due to the communist influence in Romania in that time. • It came more than 40 years of communist leadership. The most well known communist leader was Ceausescu. His regime collapsed after he ordered to the armed and security forces to fire on antigovernment demonstrators in the city of Timisoara in December 1989. • In 2004 Romania became NATO member. • In 2007 Romania became UE member. Al. I. Cuza Nicolae Ceausescu Back to the main topics

10. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Tourism • Table Of Contents • Mountains • The Danube And It’s Delta • The Wooden Churches • The Painted Monasteries • Dracula – The Truth • The Moody Volcanoes • The Black Sea Coast Back to the main topics

11. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Mountains • Romanian mountains are pretty well known for their ski resorts. But few people realize that from spring right through to autumn the Carpathians offer hundreds of miles of idyllically unspoiled alpine meadows, forests, lakes, rivers and secluded valleys, challenging mountain peaks. • The first two highest peaks are located in the Fagaras Mountains (2544m and 2535m). Other high mountains are Parang, Bucegi and Retezat, the last one having a huge national park (380 km²), founded in 1935, with altitudes vary between 794m at the park entry on Râu Mare valley and 2509m at Peleaga Peak. Click here for the tourism table of contents

12. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land The Danube and its Delta • The Danube, meaning "to flow, run" is the longest river in the European Union and Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It originates in the Black Forest in Germany and flows eastwards for a distance of some 2850 km (1771 miles), passing through ten countries: Germany (7.5%), Austria (10.3%), Slovakia (5.8%), Hungary (11.7%), Croatia (4.5%), Serbia (10.3%), Romania (28.9%), Bulgaria (5.2%), Moldova (1.7%), and Ukraine (3.8%), 4 Central and Eastern European capitals, before emptying into the Black Sea via the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine. It is known to history as one of the long-standing frontiers of the Roman Empire. • Just beyond the Romanian city of Orsova, there is a gorge that contains a hydroelectric dam, with two power stations, Iron Gate I Hydro Power Plant and Iron Gate II Hydro Power Plant. Go here for the Danube Delta

13. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land The Danube and its Delta • The Danube Delta - is probably the most secluded and least populated region of modern Romania. The three main towns here are Tulcea, SulinaandSfantu Gheorghe. Fishing and wildlife watching excursions to the surrounding lakes and forests attract more and more visitors. • The Danube Delta is the second largest delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta, and the best preserved on the continent. It is a peaceful natural habitat for thousands of rare birds and animals. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and named "Landscape of the Year 2007-9", the region is also a designated Ramsar zone. This is the inter-governmental agreement signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, that established guidelines for conservation and protection of wetlands and their natural resources. Go here for more about the beautifull Danube Delta

14. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land The Danube and its Delta The delta is either home to, or visited by, thousands of migrating birds throughout the year. Pelicans, both Dalmatian and white, great egret and little egret, pigmy cormorant, red-necked goose and night heron are just a few of the species, many of which are endangered, that can be seen on the delta. The wildlife of the Danube Delta includes wild animals and fish such as otter, European mink, muskrat, wild boar, wild cat, raccoon dog, fox and stoat. The delta also shelters European tree frogs, European pond terrapin, meadow viper, dice snake, edible frog, grasshopper, seven-spot ladybird, earwigs, banded demoiselle, and of course, pike, carp, sterlet, catfish, bream and sturgeon, famous for its black caviar. Click here for the tourism table of contents

15. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land The Wooden Churches • The wooden churches are a distinct feature of Maramures, • one of the Romanian regions. Here the natives' woodcarving talent shows up in a display of beauty and creativity. These churches are built in the 17th and 18th centuries without the help of any iron nails, yet reach impressive heights. In fact, here you will find the highest wooden building in Europe (some say in the entire world) - the church of Surdesti, reaching 72 m (236 ft). • The most beautiful wooden churches can be seen in a one-day tour by car, from the towns of Sighetul Marmatiei or Baia Mare. Although every village in Maramures has a cosy church of itself. Click here for the tourism table of contents

16. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land The Painted Monasteries • These churches were all built in the 15th and 16th centuries, in a time of great political and cultural development of Moldavia. The period is related to the 50-year long rule of king Stephen the Great. What makes them unique is the painting. Frescoes were typical to all Byzantine churches of that time. But here, the frescoes are on the outside! Painted more than 400 years ago, they still preserve their gorgeous colours, amazing the visitor with the perfection of the drawings and the wonderfully balanced tones. These churches, that are part of large monasteries, are now on the list of UNESCO monuments. Click here for the tourism table of contents

17. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Dracula – The Truth Dracula or Vlad the Impeller was the son of Vlad Dracul (1436-1442; 1443-1447). Vlad Dracul was dubbed a knight of the Dragon Order by the Hungarian king. All the members of the order had a dragon on their coat of arms, and that is what brought him the nickname ofDracul (the Devil).Vlad the Impaler used to sign himself Draculea or Draculya - the Devil's son -, a name that was distorted into Dracula. Impaling was one of Dracula's favourite punishments, but he was not the only one who made use of it at the time. Other German and Spanish princes would do the same. He used the method for boyars, thieves and criminals, Turks, Saxons and those who conspired against him; more than once it happened that a whole forest of sharp stakes with enemies' heads would rise around Târgoviste, the capital of Wallachia at the time. Horrified by these atrocities, the Saxons printed books and pamphlets in which they told about Vlad's cruelty. These booklets also reached Germany and Western Europe, where Dracula became known as a bloody tyrant. In 1897, the Irish writer Bram Stoker published “Dracula”, which made Vlad the Impaler famous worldwide. Stoker read the stories about Dracula printed in the 15th and 16th centuries and was struck by his acts of cruelty. Click here for the tourism table of contents

18. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land The Black Sea Coast Practically all of the Romanian Black Sea shore is a chain of resorts. The beach is wide and public, with fine golden sand and calm water. Mamaia, the oldest resort, located near the city of Constanta offers the largest beach. Mamaia has numerous hotels ranging from 4 star accommodations to campings and a wide sampler of excellent restaurants. Along the coast you can find all the sea side resorts: Eforie Nord, build by the Romanian kings in the `20s, Eforie Sud rather a city transformed into a resort, Costinesti preferred by young people, Olimp, a more expensive and exclusive resort, preferred by the former communist leaders, Neptun - the most expensive of all the Romanian resorts, and well deserves the price, the summer residence of the presidential family, Jupiter continues Neptun's accommodations but for a smaller price, Cap Aurora, the newest and the most elegant of all the resorts, Venus, a youth-oriented resort, Saturnhas probably the most inexpensive hotels, although the beach here is one of the nicest, Doi Mai, more like a village than a resort and Vama Veche even more “naturist". Click here for the tourism table of contents or here for the main topics

19. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Personalities • Table Of Contents • Arts And Culture • Scientists • Athletes Click here for the main topics or click any topic above

20. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Arts And Culture Emil Cioran(1911-1995) – he was one of the most celebrated Romanian writers and philosophers of this century. In 1937 he earned a grant from the French government and left for Paris. Since 1947 he has only written in French. Mircea Eliade(1907 - 1986) - he was a philosopher, a writer and one of the most interesting personalities of the century. A truly encyclopaedic spirit and a restless soul, always in search of the true nature of the human being, he was fascinated by the ancient religions and philosophies of people around the world. Click here for the personalities table of contents

21. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Scientists Ana Aslan – She dedicated her life to the research of the decaying cells, which we call "old age". After several decades of research, Dr. Aslan discovered the method that slows down the premature decay and aging process; she named it the “Aslan Original Therapy”. Traian Vuia - He was the first flight with a machine which weighted more than the air and was entirely driven only by its on board installations during all its evolution (unlike Wright's brothers machines). Hermann Oberth - was born on June 25, 1894 in Sibiu, Romania, and died on December 28, 1989 in Nuremberg, Germany.Inspired by the science-fiction novels of Jules Verne, Oberth designed his first rockets while still a student at the local gymnasium. Various medical experiments that he conducted on himself convinced him that humans could endure the physical stresses of space travel, such as weightlessness, forces of acceleration, etc. Ana Aslan Click here for the personalities table of contents

22. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Athlets Nadia Comaneci – maybe the best well known Romanian athlete, leaving an unique record, in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Gamesshe was the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 and win three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, and all this when she was only 14 years of age. Nadia continued her dominance through the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, winning two more gold and two silver medals. Later she left Romania and is now living in the USA . Ilie Nastase – the first Romanian tennis player to make a name outside Romania. At his best, Nastase was a fast player and exhibited intricate footwork and brilliant ball handling in lobbing past opponents. His career peaked in 1973, when he ranked #1 Player on the ATP list. He won 57 Single Titles and two Grand-Slam Finals (1972 and 1973). Click here for the personalities table of contents

23. PHOTOS WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES OF ROMANIA

24. Constantin Brancusi Constantin Brancusi was an internationally renowned Romanian sculptor whose works, which blend simplicity and sophistication, led the way for numerous modernist sculptors. TABLE OF SILENCE THE KISS GATE

25. Mihai Eminescu Mihai Eminescu was a Romantic poet, regarded as the most representative Romanian poet,writing with a touch of genius. Famous works include “Luceafarul” (“The evening star”), “Oda in Metru Antic” (“Ode in Ancient Meter”) and the five Letters(Epistles/Satires). In his poems he often used mythological and historical subjects.

26. George Enescu George Enescu was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher. He showed his talent early in his childhood by composing and singing at the different instruments. Many of his works were influenced by Romanian folk music,his most popular compositions being the two “Romanian Rhapsodies” and the opera “Edipe” and the suites for orchestra.

27. Gheorghe Hagi Gheorghe Hagi is a Romanian former football player of Aromanian origin. He was famous for his passing, close control, long shots and was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Nicknamed "The Maradona of the Carpathians", he is considered a hero in his homeland. In March 2004, he was named among the top 125 living footballers by Pelé.

28. ROMANIA – A Wonderful Land Come and enjoy Romania!

29. BRAILA

31. Braila. Geographical features Braila is a city in Muntenia sounth-eastern part of Romania, a port on the Danube, in the close vicinity of Galati. Climate is temperate-continental, with a mean temperature of 11.1°C, hot, dry summers and cold winters. The waterway – the port of Brăila, located at 171 km from the Black Sea, made contact with the main seaports and waterways.

32. Braila:Historical The city was first mentioned 660 years ago under the name “Drinago” The origin and the meaning of the name are unknown , although, throughout history, it had many names: Brayla , Breil, Ibrail.

33. Historical Monuments: The Old Center

34. The Greek church was built between 1862-1872by the plans of Avraam Ioanidis from Brusa. The church is cross shaped and combines ancient Greek , gothic elements in a neoclassical style. The Monumental Clockhas become one of the most important symbols of Braila. It was made in 1909 in Prague, and has a remarkable style. The 5 metre-tall clock has a face for each four main streets in Braila.

35. The “Maria Filotti” Theatre, named after a famous Brăilian actress, is a former palace, and dates 1864. The theatre has been running since 1949 however, and it represents a fabulous architectural masterpiece. Constructed in the baroque style, the theatre building displays exquisite interior decorations.

36. Main Attractions in Braila Braila’s promenade The Public Garden The History Museum Kinetic Fountain The Kinetic Fountain Monument Park

37. The Kinetic Fountain Situated in the civic central of the city, the fountain represents the work of the famous romanian sculptor, Constantin Lucaci. The moving seagulls,lighted during the night,and the vibrations of the polished surface they thus always offer a magnificent view.

38. The Public Garden With an area of 6.6hectares,thegarden wasmade,in 1833. In the middle of thegarden is a uniquefloral clock , before which there is a fountain dating from 1914. Inthe park were also built three large statues of the national writers: Mihail Sadoveanu, Panait Istrati and Mihai Eminescu.

39. The Big and Small Island of Braila

40. Situated in the flooded area of the Danube, they are considered a natural Zoo and botany reserve, offering amagnificiant show of nature. • Due to the factthat fauna contains especially species of birdswhich are driven to extinction and exists manyrare plants, the Smalland Big Island of Braila are protected by the international law and fishingand hunting are supervised.

41. Personalities of Braila Hariclea Darclée(born Hariclea Haricli; June 10, 1860 in Brăila – January 12, 1939) was a celebrated Romanian operatic soprano. Ana Aslan(born January 1, 1897 in Braila – May 20 , 1988) was a Romanian doctor , specialist in Gerontology. D.P. Perpessiciuswas a literary historian and critic, poet, essayist and fiction writer.

42. MIHAIL SEBASTIAN Born : October 18, 1907, Braila Died : May 29, 1945 (aged 38), Bucharest Pen Name : Mihail Sebastian, Victor Mincu Occupation : playwright, essayist, journalist, novelist, lawyer Nationality : Romanian Genres : drama, autobiography, novel Subjects : fiction, cultural history, political history Literary movement : Modernism Sebastian became known in Romanian literature mainly for his plays, such as The Star Without a Name, Holiday Games, Breaking News.

43. HARICLEA DARCLEE Darcléewas born in Brăila to a family with Greek roots. Her father, Ion Haricli, was a landlord in the Teleorman district. Her mother Maria, born Aslan, was a relative of the noble Mavrocordatos family. The Haricli family lived for a while in the town of TurnuMăgurele in southern Romania. She began her studies at Conservatoire of music in Iaşi, making her professional appearances as a concert performer in 1884.

44. MUSICIANS Nicu Alifantis (born May 31, 1954 in Braila) is a Romanian folk musician , poet and actor. He starts making particular stage musical studies in 1973. In 1975 Alifantis started to work at Maria Filotti Theater and becomes quite known and loved by the public. In 1976 Electrecord wants to edit his first single, “Song Of The Night”. Johnny Raducanu(born December 1, 1931 in Brăila) is a Romanian Jazz musician, of Romani ethnicity, whose family has a long musical tradition dating back to the 17th century.

45. “Nicolae Bălcescu” National College, Braila

46. Short historic Nowadays, the bust and the picture of Balcescu stay right at the entrance of the College. The Highschool “Nicolae Balcescu” was established at 21 January 1863 by order of “Minister of Cults and Public Instruction”, as primary school, and inaugurated at 6 December 1863. The initiative to name the school after the great Romanian revolutionist Nicolae Bălcescu belongs to the school principal in 1886, Mr. Atanasie Popescu. The school became National College “Nicolae Balcescu” short after 1990, and it remained that way until today.

47. The Highschool“NicolaeBalcescu” • During the time, our school pass over many changes, such as: • In 1867 it has been transformed in gymnasium, becoming then in 1871 a trade school; • At 1 September 1888 it became the first Real Highschool of the Kingdom of Romania; • At 29 October 1945 the highschool was renovated. 1985

48. 1995 2009

49. The school has both theoretical and humanistic profile, which are divided in: • 4 grades for the V-VIII cycle; • 8 grades for general theoretical (mathematics-computers); • 8 grades for mathematics intensive English (4), German (1) or Computers (4); • 4 grades for natural sciences (4) and social sciences (1); • 3 grades – humanistic.

50. Personalities that have studied in our college : • Scientists : Victor Vâlcovici, Gheorghe MunteanuMurgoci , Edmond Nicolau, Victor Atanasiu , Ion Dima, Gheorghe T. Marinescu; • Members of The Romanian Academy : Ana Aslan, Gheorghe Munteanu-Murgoci , ŞtefanBãlan, ŞtefanMinovici ; • Members of others academies : Mina Minovici , Petre Andrei , NicolaeBaltã, NicuBoboc ; • Writers : CamilBaltazar, PanaitCerna, Perpessicius, Mihail Sebastian; • Artists: Maria Filotti , Vespasian Lungu ;