The surface of the country is generally mountainous. Vegetation is vigorous in all districts. The climate is mild in the lower and level portions, but extremely rigorous in the mountainous districts. Of the total area, one-third is under cultivation, corn and wheat being the chief products. There are 1,750,000 persons engaged in agriculture. Latest reports of livestock give: swine, 1,067,940; horses, 122,500; cattle, 826,550; sheep, 3,620,750; goats, 725,700.
The imports are estimated at about $10,000,000, and the exports a little below that amount. In 1884 there were 200 miles of railway. Number miles of telegraph, 1,410. The state religion is the Orthodox Greek. There is a university of 158 students. Other schools number about 650, with about 45,000 pupils.
RUMANIA.Roo-mā´ne-a.
A kingdom of Europe, formerly a part of Turkey. Though under the protection of Russia since 1830, it was nominally subject to Turkey until 1878. In 1881 it was raised to a kingdom. Constitution adopted 1866, modified 1879 and 1884. Government vested in the King, an Executive Council, Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Area, 48,307 square miles. Estimated population, 5,376,000. Capital, Bukharest; population, 221,805.
The soil is fertile, and of the total population, 70 per cent. is devoted to agriculture. Number of freehold proprietors, 654,000. Of the area, 68 per cent. is productive; 29 per cent. under cultivation. Grain, oil-seed and wine are the leading products. Average production of cereals, 150,000 tons. Cattle and sheep are extensively reared. Total value of exports, 1883, $44,130,055; imports, $71,981,435. Value of leading exports: cereals, $34,511,400; animals, $2,328,490. Imports: textiles, $23,530,315; metals, $14,632,880; skins and leather, $8,748,370.
Education is free and compulsory. Number of primary schools, 2,743; high schools, 54; normal, 8; universities, 2. The majority of the people belong to the Orthodox Greek Church. In 1884 Rumania had 850 miles of state railway; non-state lines numbered about 150 miles. There were about 3,000 miles of telegraph.
TURKEY (OTTOMAN EMPIRE).
The Ottoman Empire comprehends all countries over which Turkey has supremacy. The area and population are known only through estimates, the latest of which give the area as 2,406,492 square miles, and the population as 42,209,359. The most important part, that in Europe, was in 1878 greatly reduced in area and population. The latest estimates give the immediate possessions in Europe an area of 63,850 square miles, and a population of 4,490,000. The laws of the empire are based on the precepts of the Koran; the government is in the hands of the Sultan, whose will is absolute, unless opposed to the teachings of the Mohammedan religion. Capital, Constantinople; population, 600,000.
While military service is compulsory on all Mohammedans over eighteen years of age, there are some exemptions, and substitution is allowed. Non-Mohammedans are not liable, but must pay an exemption tax. Number of men under arms, 150,000; actual military strength, about 430,000.