români

Români (Romanian: români) are an ethnolinguistic group native to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with communities across Europe and in the diaspora. They form the largest population in Romania and are the majority in Moldova as well, identifying primarily through the Romanian language and shared cultural heritage. Români speak Romanian, a Romance language descended from Latin, written in the Latin alphabet. The language has regional varieties, with standard Romanian based on the varieties spoken in Bucharest and Moldova.

Religious affiliation among Români is historically diverse but predominantly Eastern Orthodox, with minority communities of Roman Catholics, Protestants, and others. Religious practice varies by region and individual conviction, reflecting a broader cultural landscape.

Historically, Români trace their ethnogenesis to Latin-speaking communities in what is now Romania and adjoining areas. The medieval principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia contributed to a common Romanian identity, while Transylvania and other regions joined the modern state through early 20th-century events. In 1859, the union of Moldavia and Wallachia laid the foundation for the modern Romanian state; independence followed in 1877, and after World War I Romania expanded to include Transylvania and other territories, forming Greater Romania. The country underwent a socialist period after World War II and transitioned to democracy in 1989. Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and NATO in 2004, integrating Români into broader regional and international frameworks.

Outside Romania and Moldova, Români form sizable diasporic communities in countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, contributing to a global cultural and economic footprint while maintaining linguistic and cultural ties to their heritage.