Romania is bordered on the north and northeast by Moldova, on the east by Ukraine, on the west by Hungary and Yugoslavia, and on the south by Bulgaria.  The country has only 130 miles (209 kilometers) of coastline, where it borders the Black Sea in the southeast. 

Surface features.  A series of mountain ranges curves through northern and central Romania, forming a circular pattern.  The mountains surround a vast flatland known as the Transylvanian Plateau.  The mountains are, in turn, surrounded by plains on the east, south, and west. 

Romania's mountains are all part of the Carpathian Mountain System.  The Moldavian, or Eastern, Carpathian range extends from the northern border to the center of the country.  The Transylvanian Alps, or Southern Carpathians, stretch westward from the Moldavian range.  The Bihor Mountains and other ranges make up the Western Carpathians, which run through western Romania. 

Romania's mountains are neither extremely high nor steep, and several passes cut through them.  As a result, they are not major barriers to transportation.  Most of them are from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (910 to 1,800 meters) high.  Mount Moldoveanu, in the Transylvanian Alps, is Romania's highest mountain.  It rises 8,343 feet (2,543 meters). 

The Transylvanian Plateau lies about 1,200 feet (366 meters) above sea level, and Romania's plains lie at or near sea level.  These flatlands have the country's best farmland and most of its cities and towns.  Vast forests cover parts of the Transylvanian Plateau and the mountains. 

Romania has many rivers.  The longest and most important one by far is the Danube River.  It flows about 900 miles (1,400 kilometers) through Romania.  Most of the way, it flows west to east along the southern border.  The Danube turns northward near the Black Sea, then eastward again, and empties into the sea.  Most of Romania's other major rivers flow into the Danube from the north.  They include, from west to east, the Jiu, Oltul, Arges, Ialomita, Siretul, and Prut. 

Romania has about 2,500 lakes.  Most of them are small.  The biggest lakes lie near the Danube.  Numerous tiny lakes add beauty to Romania's mountains. 

Land regions.  Romania can be divided into six land regions.  They are Transylvania, Bukovina, Moldavia, Walachia, Banat, and Dobruja. 

Transylvania is the country's largest and most varied region.  It extends throughout central and northwestern Romania, and includes most of the country's mountains, the Transylvanian Plateau, and the northwestern plain.  The plateau and plain have good soil for farming.  The plateau and the mountains yield valuable forest products and minerals.  The beauty of the mountains and their ski slopes and other recreation facilities make them a favorite vacation area.  Several cities have grown up in Transylvania because of its rich resources. 

Bukovina, northeast of Transylvania, is a thickly forested region in the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains.  It has ski slopes and lovely scenery.  The people of Bukovina live in small villages in the valleys. 

Moldavia, Walachia, and Banat.  Moldavia, in northeastern Romania, extends from Transylvania to the Prut River along the border with Moldova.  Walachia, in the south, stretches from the southernmost mountains to the Danube.  Banat, in western Romania, extends from the western mountains to Yugoslavia and Hungary.  All of these regions have a similar physical makeup.  The land in each descends from mountains near Transylvania, to hills, and then to plains.  These plains are Romania's best farmland.  Walachia has more people than any other Romanian region, chiefly because Bucharest is there.  Banat has several cities, but Moldavia has few. 

Dobruja is a small plain between the northern course of the Danube River and the Black Sea.  The Danube Delta covers northeastern Dobruja.  This marshy area has an amazing variety of wildlife.  Sturgeon, the source of caviar, and numerous other kinds of fish live in its waters.  About 300 species of birds, including the pelican, also live in the delta.  Farmland covers most of southern Dobruja.  The Danube-Black Sea Canal flows through this area.  Completed in 1984, it provides a shortcut from the Danube to the Black Sea.  Sandy beaches and beautiful seaside resorts line Dobruja's Black Sea coast.  Constanta, Romania's major port city, is on the coast. 

Climate.  Romania has hot, sunny summers and cold, cloudy winters.  The average July temperature is 70 *F (21 *C), and the average January temperature is 30 *F (-1 *C).  Romania's plains are warmer than its mountain areas.  Precipitation (rain, melted snow, and other forms of moisture) ranges from about 40 inches (100 centimeters) yearly in some mountain areas to less than 20 inches (50 centimeters) on the plains.