Home › Countries of the World › Asiatic Russia: Roumania

Asiatic Russia: Roumania

Roumania was formerly the autonomous provinces of the Ottoman empire, Moldavia and Wallachia. The legislature is composed of a Senate of 120 members, elected for 8 years, and a Chamber elected for 4 years by all male citizens paying taxes. Education is free and compulsory, but still in a backward condition. Area about 45,642 sq. m., with a population estimated at about 5,100,000. Army, in peace, about 20,000; in war, about 150,000. Navy, about 20 small vessels, chiefly for purposes of Danube police.

In 1874 Austria, Germany and Russia, in spite of the objection of the Porte, claimed the right to make separate treaties with Roumania. At the close of the Russo- Turkish War Roumania was declared independent, received the Dobrudscha, and gave up Roumanian Bessarabia to Russia, from whom it had been obtained in 1856. In March 1881 Roumania was proclaimed a kingdom, and as such recognized by the powers. In March 1883 the powers of the European Danubian Commission were by treaty extended to Ibrail and the Kilia arm, and prolonged in time, Roumania protesting against the presidency of Austria in the commission. After protracted negotiations a commercial treaty was concluded in 1887 with Turkey. The soil is very rich, but prolonged summer droughts do great damage. The climate is extreme, both summer and winter. Wheat, maize, millet, barley, rye, beans, and peas are raised. The forests are important, minerals also, but the great riches of the country are in cattle, sheep and horses.

BULGARIA.

Prince-Ferdinand of Saxony, elected 1887.