The monarchy collapsed in 1947. A communist government then took over until the dictator Ceausescu was overthrown in the revolution of December 1989, which brought Romania firmly back into democratic Europe. Warmest areas are in the south. The official language is Romanian, and is of latin origin. English, French and German are widely spoken.
Religious freedom is guaranteed by the Romanian constitution.
In accordance with the constitution adopted in 1991, Romania is a parliamentary republic, with two houses. The president of the country, the deputies and the senators are elected every four years by universal secret ballot. The ethnic minorities also have representation. Democratic rights and freedom are guaranteed by the Constitution. Romania's national day is December 1 the day when the unitary state was founded in 1918.