After the violent upheaval and bloodshed that accompanied the collapse of one of the most brutal Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Romania has made important progress in the development of a democratic political system and in the building of a market economy. Written by an American specialist and a Romanian scholar, the Historical Dictionary of Romania is an essential, up-to-date reference work on this country. Its concise dictionary entries detail the important people, places, events, and institutions in the new Romania as well as its previous regimes. It also provides significant detail about Romania's economy, society, political situation, language, and culture. A comprehensive bibliography, divided by subject, allows scholars access to additional sources of information. The introduction gives a brief overview of the county's geography, history, population, and history. This handy reference work also includes two maps, a chronology, and a list of rulers of Romania.