Romania is situated in south-eastern Europe between latitudes 43 37' 07" and 48 15' 06" north and longitudes 20 15' 44" and 29 42' 24" east, extending approximately 480 km north to south and 640 km east to west. The country has an area of 237,750 sq. km and a population of over 23,000,000 of which 89% are Romanians, 7% Hungarians, 2% Gypsies, as well as Germans, Slovaks, Turks, Russians, Bulgarians, Croats, Tartars, Czechs, Greeks, Jews, Armenians, Polish, Albanians...The climate is temperate-continental, characteristic to the Central Europe (hot summers, cold winters, very distinct seasons, abundant snowfalls especially in the mountains). Warmest areas are in the south.The official language is Romanian, of Latin origin. English, French and German are widely spoken.Romania's territory is divided in counties administred by the prefects; the mayors of municipalities, towns, communes and villages are subordinated to the district administrations. Bucharest, the capital, has its own administration, similar to those of the districts.Romania's nationa1 day is December 1st, the day when the nationa1 unitary state was founded in 1918.