EastERN EURoPE ROMANIA

Romania is a culturally and historically rich nation located in Southeastern Europe. It is also ancient — evidence exists of modern human (Homo Sapiens) habitation of the land for at least 40,000 years. In the Middle Ages there were three Romanian principalities, one of which was Walachia, home of ferocious 15th century leader "Vlad the Impaler," inspiration for the fictional Count Dracula. (He ruled Wallachia three different times in the 1400s.) The Ottoman Turks conquered Romania in 1541. Romanians rebelled several times and earned their independence -- more than 300 years later. Romania even brought back its monarchy and crowned a new king -- all hail King Carol I! In World War I Romania sided with the victorious Allies and was able to take back a lot of its long-lost land. This ushered in the short-lived age of "Romania Mare" -- "GREAT ROMANIA." 

During World War II little was "great" in Romania; hundreds of thousands of Romanians perished in battle. After World War II the Soviets occupied, the Romanian Communist Party came strongly to power and struggles abounded. Since the USSR fell, Romania has inched slowly toward health and stability.