Description: Once two principalities and part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire Romania formally united in 1862. In World War I, Romania joined the Allied powers and the Axis powers in World War II. In 1943 Romania was overrun by the Soviets and fell under soviet occupation and eventually led to a communist “people’s republic” and the abdication of the king in 1947. The Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980’s. Romania converted to democratic rule in 1996, joined NATO in 2004, and joined the European Union in 2007. Romania is located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine.