Editing Romania (section)

==Politics==
{{Main|Politics of Romania}}
Romania is a [[Unitary state|unitary]] [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[Representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]] with a structured system of governance and an active civil society. The [[President of Romania|President]], elected by popular vote, serves as the [[head of state]], representing the country in [[Foreign relations of Romania|international affairs]], safeguarding [[Constitution of Romania|constitutional order]], and acting as [[Commander-in-chief|supreme commander]] of the [[Romanian Armed Forces]]. The [[Prime Minister of Romania|Prime Minister]], appointed by the President and confirmed by the [[Parliament of Romania|Parliament]], acts as the [[head of government]], responsible for overseeing the [[Government of Romania|executive branch]], implementing [[Foreign relations of Romania|domestic and foreign policies]], and managing [[public administration]]. [[Legislative|Legislative authority]] is vested in a [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] Parliament, consisting of the [[Chamber of Deputies of Romania|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Senate of Romania|Senate]], whose members are elected through a [[proportional representation]] system. The [[Judiciary of Romania|judiciary]] operates [[Judicial independence|independently]], with the [[High Court of Cassation and Justice]] as the highest court of appeal.

===Government===
{{Main|Government of Romania}}
{{Multiple image
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| image1            = Ilie Bolojan - March 2025 (cropped).jpg
| image2            = Catalin Predoiu (portrait crop).jpg
| caption1          = [[Ilie Bolojan]]<br /><small>[[President of Romania|Acting President]] since 2025</small>
| caption2          = [[Cătălin Predoiu]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Romania|Acting Prime Minister]] since 2025</small>
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}}

Romania has a democratic, [[multi-party system]], with [[Legislature|legislative power]] vested in the government and the [[Bicameralism|two chambers]] of the [[Parliament of Romania|Parliament]], more specifically the [[Chamber of Deputies (Romania)|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Senate of Romania|Senate]]. The [[judiciary]] is [[Judicial independence|independent]] of the executive and the legislature. The latter is elected by popular vote for a maximum of two terms of five years and appoints the prime minister who in turn appoints the [[Romanian Cabinet|Council of Ministers]]. The legislative branch of the government, collectively known as the [[Parliament of Romania|Parliament]] (residing at the [[Palace of the Parliament]]), consists of [[Bicameralism|two chambers]] ([[Senate of Romania|Senate]] and [[Chamber of Deputies (Romania)|Chamber of Deputies]]) whose members are elected every four years by [[Plurality voting system|simple plurality]].<ref name="Europaworld" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antena3.ro/politica/se-schimba-sistemul-de-vot-deputatii-au-adoptat-noua-lege-electorala-propusa-de-usl-168053.html |title=Se schimbă sistemul de vot. Deputații au adoptat noua Lege Electorală propusă de USL |publisher=Antena3.ro |access-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031132827/http://www.antena3.ro/politica/se-schimba-sistemul-de-vot-deputatii-au-adoptat-noua-lege-electorala-propusa-de-usl-168053.html |archive-date=31 October 2012  }}</ref>

The justice system is independent of the other branches of government and is made up of a hierarchical system of courts with the [[High Court of Cassation and Justice]] being the supreme court of Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scj.ro/monogr_en.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910190947/http://www.scj.ro/monogr_en.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2012 |publisher=[[High Court of Cassation and Justice]] -—Romania |title=Presentation |access-date=31 August 2008 }}</ref> There are also courts of appeal, county courts and local courts. The Romanian judicial system is strongly influenced by the [[French law|French model]], is based on [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] and is [[inquisitorial system|inquisitorial]] in nature. The [[Curtea Constituțională|Constitutional Court]] (''Curtea Constituțională'') is responsible for judging the compliance of laws and other state regulations with the constitution, which is the fundamental law of the country and can be amended only through a public referendum.<ref name="Europaworld" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps35389/2000//legal_system.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125081126/http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps35389/2000/legal_system.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2008 |title=Romanian Legal system |publisher=CIA Factbook |year=2000 |access-date=11 January 2008 }}</ref> Romania's 2007 entry into the EU has been a significant influence on its domestic policy, and including [[judicial reform]]s, increased judicial cooperation with other member states, and measures to combat corruption.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.cairn.info/revue-l-europe-en-formation-2012-2-page-243.htm |title=Post-Accession (Anti-)Corruption Record in Romania and Bulgaria |journal=L'Europe en Formation |volume=364 |issue=2 |last1=Tanasoiu |first1=Cosmina |last2=Racovita |first2=Mihaela |date=2012 |pages=243–263 |doi=10.3917/eufor.364.0243 |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190529/https://www.cairn.info/revue-l-europe-en-formation-2012-2-page-243.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] rated Romania as a "[[hybrid regime]]" in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2023 |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2023/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Romania}}
[[File:Diplomatic missions of Romania.PNG|right|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Diplomatic missions of Romania]]
{{resizediv|95%|{{legend|#2f3699|Countries that host a Romanian Embassy}}
{{legend|#b4b4b4|Countries that do not host Romanian diplomatic missions}}
{{legend|#ED2324|Romania}}}}]]
Since December 1989, Romania has pursued a policy of strengthening relations with the West in general, more specifically with the United States and the EU, albeit with limited [[Romania–Russia relations|relations involving]] the Russian Federation. It joined NATO on 29&nbsp;March 2004, the EU on 1&nbsp;January 2007, while it joined the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 1972, and is a founding member of the [[World Trade Organization]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wto.org/English/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm |title=Understanding the WTO – members |publisher=WTO |access-date=29 August 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229021759/http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm |archive-date=29 December 2009  }}</ref> Romania is recognised as a [[middle power]] for its military capabilities, as well as its active diplomatic engagement on the global stage.<ref name="HCSSABalancingAct">{{cite web|url=https://www.hcss.nl/pub/2018/strategic-monitor-2018-2019/a-balancing-act/|title=A Balancing Act: The Role of Middle Powers in Contemporary Diplomacy|publisher=The Hague Center for Strategic Studies|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610112410/https://www.hcss.nl/pub/2018/strategic-monitor-2018-2019/a-balancing-act/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="StuckInMiddleGear">{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=Ian|date=2001|title=Stuck in Middle GEAR: South Africa's Post-apartheid Foreign Relations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3tfjkiq0b7sC&q=romania+middle+power&pg=PA19|location=[[London]]|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]]|page= 19|isbn=9780275972752}}</ref>

In the past, recent governments have stated that one of their goals is to strengthen ties with and helping other countries (in particular [[Moldova]], [[Ukraine]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]) and better integration with the rest of the West.<ref name=mae>{{cite web|title=Foreign Policy Priorities of Romania for 2008|language=ro|url=http://www.mae.ro/index.php?unde=doc&id=35181&idlnk=1&cat=3|publisher=Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=28 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914103728/http://www.mae.ro/index.php?unde=doc&id=35181&idlnk=1&cat=3|archive-date=14 September 2008}}</ref> Romania has also made clear since the late 1990s that it supports NATO and EU membership for the democratic former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe and the [[Caucasus]].

Romania applied to join to the [[Schengen Area]] in 2007, acquiring full membership in 2025 along with Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite web |last=Desku |first=Arta |date=1 January 2025 |title=Romania & Bulgaria Celebrate Full Schengen Accession Starting Today |url=https://schengen.news/romania-bulgaria-celebrate-full-schengen-accession-starting-today-2/ |website=schengen.news}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2019 |title=Romania's Schengen Accession in Jeopardy Over Rule of Law |url=https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/romanias-schengen-accession-in-jeopardy-over-rule-of-law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813134551/https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/romanias-schengen-accession-in-jeopardy-over-rule-of-law/ |archive-date=13 August 2019 |access-date=13 August 2019 |website=Schengen Visa Info}}</ref>  In December 2005, President Traian Băsescu and [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] signed an agreement that would allow a U.S. military presence at several Romanian facilities primarily in the eastern part of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35722.htm|publisher=U.S. Department of State|title=Background Note: Romania – U.S.-Romanian Relations|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604191232/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35722.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, US Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] referred to Romania as "one of the most trustworthy and respectable" US allies".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucharest Herald Resources & Information |url=http://www.bucharestherald.com/politics/34-politics/3116-hillary-clinton-romania-one-of-the-most-trustworthy-and-respectable-partners-of-the-usa- |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512144240/http://www.bucharestherald.com/politics/34-politics/3116-hillary-clinton-romania-one-of-the-most-trustworthy-and-respectable-partners-of-the-usa- |archive-date=12 May 2009 |website=www.bucharestherald.com}}</ref> However, by 2025, relations had worsen, with US vice president [[JD Vance]] in February [[2025 JD Vance speech at the Munich Security Conference|scolding]] "[[Accusations of Russian interference in the 2024 Romanian presidential election|flimsy suspicions]]" and "enormous pressure from its continental neighbours" for causing the annulment of the [[2024 Romanian presidential election|2024 Romanian presidential]] election in which [[Călin Georgescu]] won the first round.

[[Romanian-Moldovan relations|Relations with Moldova]] are a special case given that the two countries share the same language and a [[History of Moldavia|common history]].<ref name=mae /> A [[Unification of Moldova and Romania|movement for unification of Moldova and Romania]] appeared in the early 1990s after both countries achieved emancipation from communist rule<ref name=cfis>{{cite journal|url=http://studint.ong.ro/moldova.htm |title=Romania'S Relations with the Republic of Moldova |author1=Gabriel Andreescu |author2=Valentin Stan |author3=Renate Weber |journal=[[International Studies (journal)|International Studies]] |publisher=Centre for International Studies |date=30 October 1994 |access-date=31 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223003657/http://studint.ong.ro/moldova.htm |archive-date=23 February 2008 }}</ref> but lost ground in the mid-1990s when a new Moldovan government pursued an agenda towards preserving a Moldovan republic independent of Romania.<ref name=Ihrig>{{cite web|url=http://www.desk.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/download/es_5_Ihrig.pdf|title=Rediscovering History, Rediscovering Ultimate Truth|first=Stefan|last=Ihrig|access-date=17 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001165700/http://www.desk.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/download/es_5_Ihrig.pdf|archive-date=1 October 2008}}</ref> After the [[2009 Moldovan protests|2009 protests in Moldova]] and the subsequent removal of Communists from power, relations between the two countries have improved considerably.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6967255.html|title=Moldova, Romania open new chapter in bilateral relations|work=[[People's Daily]]|access-date=11 August 2011|date=29 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518022407/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6967255.html|archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref>

===Military===
{{Main|Romanian Armed Forces|Military history of Romania}}

[[File:Romanian soldiers at the Saber Guardian 23 opening.jpg|thumb|Romanian soldiers at the Saber Guardian 23 exercise opening ceremony in [[Smârdan, Galați]]]]

The Romanian Armed Forces consist of [[Romanian Land Forces|land]], [[Romanian Air Force|air]], and [[Romanian Naval Forces|naval forces]] led by a [[Chief of the Romanian General Staff|Commander-in-chief]] under the supervision of the [[Ministry of National Defence (Romania)|Ministry of National Defence]], and by the [[President of Romania|president]] as the Supreme Commander during wartime. The Armed Forces consist of approximately 55,000 reservists and 71,500 active military personnel—35,800 for land, 10,700 for air, 6,600 for naval forces, and 16,500 in other fields.<ref name="military_balance_2022">{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2022|author=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|publisher=[[Routledge]]|pages=140–141|date=February 2022|isbn=978-1032279008}}</ref> Total defence spending in 2023 accounted for 2.44%&nbsp;of total national GDP, or approximately US$8.48&nbsp;billion,<ref>{{cite web|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2023)|url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2023/7/pdf/230707-def-exp-2023-en.pdf|date=7 July 2023|publisher=NATO|access-date=12 July 2023|archive-date=15 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715092752/https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2023/7/pdf/230707-def-exp-2023-en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> with a total of $9&nbsp;billion intended to be spent until 2026 for modernisation and acquisition of new equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://seenews.com/news/romania-intends-to-buy-f35-fighter-jets-president-771818|title=Romania intends to buy F35 fighter jets - president|website=SeeNews |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=12 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205040215/https://seenews.com/news/romania-intends-to-buy-f35-fighter-jets-president-771818|archive-date=5 February 2022|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Conscription stopped in 2007, when Romania switched to a volunteer army.

The Air Force operates [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU|F-16AM/BM MLU]] fighters,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2013-10-18/romania-finally-settles-portuguese-f-16s|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806190518/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2013-10-18/romania-finally-settles-portuguese-f-16s|url-status=dead|title=Romania Finally Settles On Portuguese F-16s|first=David|last=Donald|archive-date=6 August 2016|website=Aviation International News}}</ref> [[C-27J Spartan]] and [[C-130 Hercules]] [[Military transport aircraft|transport aircraft]], as well as [[IAR 330]] and [[IAR 316]] helicopters.<ref>{{cite news|last= |first= |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|title= World Air Forces 2023|newspaper= Flight Global|publisher= Flightglobal Insight|year= 2022|doi= |access-date= 12 January 2023|archive-date= 7 December 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221207224755/https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|url-status= live}}</ref> A [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II procurement#Romania|procurement programme]] for [[F-35]] [[fifth-generation fighter]]s is also currently being carried out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/08/10/romania-eyes-32-f-35s-under-65-billion-deal/|title=Romania eyes 32 F-35s under $6.5 billion deal|author=Jaroslaw Adamowski|website=defensenews.com|date=10 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618235041/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/08/10/romania-eyes-32-f-35s-under-65-billion-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Naval Forces operate three frigates, of which two are [[Type 22 frigate]]s acquired from the British [[Royal Navy]],<ref name="awst_20061211">{{cite magazine|title=Spartan Order|magazine=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]|date=11 December 2006}}</ref> as well as four corvettes. The [[Romanian Danube Flotilla|River Flotilla]] operates [[Mihail Kogălniceanu-class river monitor|Mihail Kogălniceanu]] and [[Smârdan-class river monitor]]s.<ref name="military_balance_2022" />

Romania contributed troops to the international coalition in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] beginning in 2002,<ref>{{cite news |title = Romania: 2 soldiers killed, 1 injured in Afghanistan |date = 7 May 2016 |agency = Associated Press |newspaper = [[Colorado Springs Gazette]] |url = http://gazette.com/romania-2-soldiers-killed-1-injured-in-afghanistan/article/feed/346495 |access-date = 7 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160817042701/http://gazette.com/romania-2-soldiers-killed-1-injured-in-afghanistan/article/feed/346495 |archive-date = 17 August 2016 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> with a peak deployment of 1,600 troops in 2010 (which was the 4th&nbsp;largest contribution according to the US).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://washington.mae.ro/en/local-news/1554|title=Joint Press Conference of the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis and US President Donald Trump, Rose Garden, White House – Embassy of Romania to the United States of America|website=washington.mae.ro|access-date=13 January 2019|archive-date=13 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113182241/https://washington.mae.ro/en/local-news/1554|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Romania To Send 450 More Troops To Afghanistan |date = 21 December 2014 |agency = Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url = http://www.rferl.org/content/romania-troops-afghanistan/26755040.html |access-date = 7 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160919065348/http://www.rferl.org/content/romania-troops-afghanistan/26755040.html |archive-date = 19 September 2016 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> Its combat mission in the country concluded in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title = Romania ends combat mission in Afghanistan with visit from Prime Minister |date = 30 June 2014 |agency = [[Associated Press]] |url = http://www.rs.nato.int/article/isaf-news/romania-ends-combat-mission-in-afghanistan-with-visit-from-prime-minister.html |access-date = 7 July 2016 |df = dmy-all }}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Romanian troops participated in the [[History of Iraq (2003–2011)|occupation of Iraq]], reaching a peak of 730 soldiers before being slowly drawn down to 350 soldiers. Romania terminated its mission in Iraq and withdrew its last troops on 24&nbsp;July 2009, among the last countries to do so. The frigate the ''[[Regele Ferdinand frigate|Regele Ferdinand]]'' participated in the [[2011 military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm |title=''Traian Basescu: Romania va trimite fregata Regele Ferdinand cu 205 militari in Mediterana pentru operatiuni de blocare a oricarei nave suspecte ca transporta armament'' |publisher=HotNews.ro |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |language=ro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325033747/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm |archive-date=25 March 2011  }}</ref>

In December 2011, the Romanian Senate unanimously adopted the draft law ratifying the [[Romania–United States relations|Romania-United States agreement]] signed in September of the same year that would allow the establishment and operation of a US land-based [[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System|ballistic missile defence system]] in Romania as part of NATO's efforts to build a continental [[NATO missile defence system|missile shield]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Romania_ratifies_US_missile_shield_agreement_999.html |title=Romania ratifies US missile shield agreement |publisher=SpaceWar |date=6 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202181841/http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Romania_ratifies_US_missile_shield_agreement_999.html |archive-date=2 February 2013  }}</ref> The [[Aegis Ashore]] missile system based at [[Deveselu Military Base|Deveslu]] became operational in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/05/12/aegis-ashore-site-in-romania-declared-operational|title=Aegis Ashore Site in Romania Declared Operational|first=Sam|last=LaGrone|website=news.usni.org|date=12 May 2016|access-date=2 June 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609082649/https://news.usni.org/2016/05/12/aegis-ashore-site-in-romania-declared-operational|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, construction work started on expanding the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base ([[RoAF 57th Air Base]]). The air base is set to become the largest NATO base in Europe after the implementation of a project spanning 20 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977wggg4pgo|title=Romanian village set to become Nato's biggest airbase in Europe|first=Nick|last=Thorpe|author-link=Nick Thorpe|work=[[BBC]]|date=June 22, 2024|access-date=June 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ac.nato.int/archive/2023/NATO_Infra_eAP_ROU|title=Allied Air Forces work together to improve Romanian Air Base|website=ac.nato.int|author=Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office|date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
<!---[[File:Regiuni de dezvoltare.svg|thumb|Map of [[Development regions of Romania|Romania's eight development regions]]. The forty-one local administrative units (counties) are also highlighted, but Bucharest and [[Ilfov county]] are shown combined. The two form a development region of their own, surrounded by the [[Sud (development region)|Sud region]].]]--->
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Romania}}
Romania is divided into 41 [[Counties of Romania|counties]] (''județe'') and the municipality of [[Bucharest]]. Each county is administered by a county council, responsible for local affairs, as well as a [[Prefect (Romania)|prefect]] responsible for the administration of national affairs at the county level. The prefect is appointed by the central government but cannot be a member of any political party.<ref name="descopera">{{cite web|url=http://www.descopera.net/romania_geografie.html |title=Geografia Romaniei |publisher=descopera.net |language=ro |access-date=7 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219224756/http://descopera.net/romania_geografie.html |archive-date=19 February 2009 }}</ref> Each county is subdivided further into [[cities of Romania|cities]] and [[Communes of Romania|communes]], which have their own mayor and local council. There are a total of 320&nbsp;cities and 2,861&nbsp;communes in Romania.<ref name=yearbook />{{rp|17}} A total of 103&nbsp;of the larger cities have [[Municipalities of Romania|municipality]] status, which gives them greater administrative power over local affairs. The municipality of Bucharest is a special case, as it enjoys a status on par to that of a county. It is further divided into six [[sectors of Bucharest|sectors]]<ref name=yearbook />{{rp|6}} and has a prefect, a general mayor (''primar general''), and a general city council.

The NUTS-3 ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics]]) level divisions of the EU reflect Romania's administrative-territorial structure and correspond to the 41&nbsp;counties plus Bucharest.<ref name=nuts /> The cities and communes correspond to the NUTS-5 level divisions, but there are no current NUTS-4 level divisions. The NUTS-1 (four [[macroregions of Romania|macroregions]]) and NUTS-2<ref name="LEGE nr.151 din 15 iulie 1998">{{cite web|title=LEGE nr. 151 din 15 iulie 1998|url=http://www.cdep.ro/pls/legis/legis_pck.htp_act_text?idt=17411|language=ro|access-date=1 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235242/http://www.cdep.ro/pls/legis/legis_pck.htp_act_text?idt=17411|archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> (eight [[Development regions of Romania|development regions]]) divisions exist but have no administrative capacity and are used instead for coordinating regional development projects and statistical purposes.<ref name=nuts>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/comm/eurostat/ramon/nuts/codelist_en.cfm?list=nuts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118234301/http://ec.europa.eu/comm/eurostat/ramon/nuts/codelist_en.cfm?list=nuts |archive-date=18 January 2008 |title=Hierarchical list of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics – NUTS and the Statistical regions of Europe |access-date=31 August 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Romanian counties map |Map=Regiuni de dezvoltare.svg}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
![[Development regions of Romania|Development region]]
!Area (km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="Romanian.Yearbook"/>
!Population (2021)<ref name="Census2021"/>
![[List of cities and towns in Romania|Most populous urban centre]]<sup>*</sup><ref name="INSSER">{{cite web | url = http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_TAB_3.xlsx | title = Population at 20 October 2011 | date = 5 July 2013 | access-date = 5 July 2013 | publisher = [[National Institute of Statistics (Romania)|INS]] | language = ro}}{{dead link|date=June 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#a1e0a1; color:#000;"|[[Nord-Vest (development region)|Nord-Vest]]
|34,152
|2,521,793
|[[Cluj-Napoca metropolitan area|Cluj-Napoca]] (411,379)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#dedfde; color:#000;"|[[Centru (development region)|Centru]]
|34,097
|2,271,067
|[[Brașov metropolitan area|Brașov]] (369,896)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#f9e185; color:#000;"|[[Nord-Est (development region)|Nord-Est]]
|36,853
|3,226,436
|[[Iași metropolitan area|Iași]] (382,484)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#d296de; color:#000;"|[[Sud-Est (development region)|Sud-Est]]
|35,774
|2,367,987
|[[Constanța metropolitan area|Constanța]] (425,916)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#fab485; color:#000;"|[[Sud - Muntenia (development region)|Sud – Muntenia]]
|34,469
|2,864,339
|[[Ploiești metropolitan area|Ploiești]] (276,279)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#e4d59e; color:#000;"|[[București - Ilfov]]
|1,803
|2,259,665
|[[Bucharest metropolitan area|Bucharest]] (2,272,163)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#a3c5f8; color:#000;"|[[Sud-Vest (development region)|Sud-Vest Oltenia]]
|29,207
|1,873,607
|[[Craiova metropolitan area|Craiova]] (356,544)
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="background:#fab1b1; color:#000;"|[[Vest (development region)|Vest]]
|32,042
|1,668,921
|[[Timișoara metropolitan area|Timișoara]] (384,809)
|}
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| <sup>*</sup><small>Together with its metropolitan area.</small>
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