Romania? Where's that then?
Romania is situated in Southeastern Europe, with one stretch of coast along the Black Sea, and the Carpathian mountains through its centre.

What's the background on Romania?
Recent history of Romania is filled with political tension and strife, resulting in years of suffering for its people. After WW2, Communism swiftly overtook the government, and any open opposition to their party was met with force, resulting in countless arrests, injuries and deaths. By 1948, all non-Communist politicians were either executed, in exile, or in prison, tens of thousands of participants in the 'pro-Axis' regime had been executed, and in 1947 the king abdicated; the Communists had truly taken power, and declared Romania a People's Republic.

What did Communism mean for the people?
All walks of life were strictly governed by the Communists with the help of secret police and informers. Neighbours were encouraged to inform on each other, and many people were imprisoned on minor or trumped-up charges. Collective farming was enforced, and those peasants who didn't wish to give up their land were 'convinced' by beatings, intimidations, arrests and deportation.

Did this continue?
No. After a swift, but violent, revolution in 1989, Communism was finally removed, and the then Prime Minister, Nicolae Ceausescu, executed for crimes against the people. However, Ceausescu, one of the most brutal and cruel dictators in history, had left the country with a failing economy, and life for the average Romanian was a continual struggle for survival on the simplest levels.

What's happened since then?
After experiencing a decade of economic instability and decline following the downfall of Communism, in 2000 it was transformed, and now has a relatively low unemployment rate of around 5%. However, shop prices are equivalent to those here in the UK, whilst salaries are around £80 a month (before a tax of 33%), and pensions average at around £20 per month. Help for the elderly, sick, retired, unemployed, and disabled are extremely low, and in some cases non-existent.