... griculture.C Forestry and Fishing Forests, hich cover 28 percent of Romanias total land area, are state property. The countrys timber provides the basis for important lumber, paper, and furniture industries. The Black Sea and the Danube delta regions are knon for their sturgeon catch, and the country undertakes considerable fishing operations in the Atlantic Ocean.D Mining Petroleum is Romanias principal mineral resource, and the city of Ploiesti is the center of the petroleum industry. Hoever, petroleum production is declining due to the gradual depletion of reserves. Important ne deposits ere found under the Black Sea in the 1980s, but petroleum reserves ere expected to remain slim. Natural gas is produced in significant quantities. Other mineral products include lignite bron coal, hard coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, and zinc.E Manufacturing Romanian Bauxite Plant A bauxite extraction plant spes a cloud of pollution over the Danube delta city of Tulcea. Severe air pollution problems stem from the rapid industrialization of Romania during the Communist period.Barry LeisCorbis Expand During the Communist period, Romanias leaders pursued a policy of rapid industrialization ith an emphasis on heavy industry, particularly machinery and chemicals a much lesser emphasis as placed on consumer goods goods manufactured for use by people. In the early 1990s Romanias chief manufactures ere machinery, chemicals, cement and other construction materials, iron and steel, ood products, processed foods, textiles and clothing, and footear. Many industries, particularly iron and steel, have been hampered by shortages of electricity and ra materials.F Energy Thermal poer plants fueled by petroleum, gas, and coal supply 59 percent of Romanias electricity, hile most of the rest comes from hydroelectric facilities. The country has to major hydroelectric plants, operated jointly ith Serbia at the Iron Gate gorge on the Danube. A nuclear poer plant opened in 1996 at Cernavoda.G Tourism and Foreign Trade Romanias tourism industry has expanded considerably since the end of the Communist period. Popular attractions include the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube delta region, and the resorts and beaches of the Black Sea.During the early part of the Communist period, Romanias foreign trade as conducted almost exclusively ith the USSR and other Communist countries. Hoever, in the 1960s trade restrictions ere eased somehat and Romania began expanding its contacts ith estern nations. In 1999 exports totaled 8.5 billion and imports totaled 10.4 billion. Principal exports include metals and metal products, mineral products, textiles, and electrical machines and equipment. Imports include minerals, machinery and equipment, textiles, and agriculture goods. Leading purchasers of Romanias exports are Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, The Netherlands, and China. Chief sources for imports are Germany, Italy, Russia, France, the United States, and Egypt.H Currency and Banking The basic monetary unit of Romania is the leu plural, lei, divided into 100 bani. The leu as devalued in October 1990, but since 1991 its value has been determined by the open market. In 1990 about 22 lei ere equal to U.S.1 by 1999 the exchange rate averaged 15,333 lei per U.S.1. The National Bank of Romania founded in 1880 is the countrys bank of issue it is also responsible for managing monetary policy and supervising the financial activities of all state enterprises. A number of private banks have been founded since 1990. A Romanian stock market opened in Bucharest in June 1995.I Transportation Romanias railroad system is oned by the government. Buses provide a popular means of transportation ithin cities, and Bucharest has a subay system. Romanias principal seaports are Constanta, on the Black Sea, and Galati and Braila, neighboring cities on the loer Danube Giurgiu, hich has pipelin ... Download