Romaanid

Romaanid, or Romanians, are an ethnic group and nation native to Romania. They form the majority population in Romania and are also present in Moldova and other countries as part of a widespread diaspora. The Romanian language (română) is a Romance language that developed from Latin and is the official language of both Romania and Moldova. It uses the Latin alphabet with diacritics such as ă, â, î, ș, and ț.

Origins and history: The Romanians trace their roots to Roman-era Dacia and the Latin-speaking communities that developed in the region. By the Middle Ages, the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia emerged, later uniting in 1859 to form modern Romania. The country gained independence in 1877 and became a kingdom in 1881. After World War I, Transylvania and other regions joined in 1918 to form Greater Romania. The 20th century brought interwar developments, World War II, and decades of communist rule until the 1989 Revolution, after which Romania transitioned to a democratic, market-based system. Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and NATO in 2004.

Culture and society: Most Romanians are members of the Orthodox Church, with minority communities of Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, and Protestants. Romanian culture is known for literature, music, and folk traditions, including distinctive dances and crafts. Notable Romanians include the poet Mihai Eminescu, the sculptor Constantin Brâncuși, and the composer George Enescu.

Demographics and diaspora: In addition to roughly 19–20 million people in Romania, there are substantial Romanian communities abroad, especially in Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and North America. Estimates of the global Romanian diaspora reach several million, contributing to cultural and economic ties between Romania and other regions.