This paper discusses changes in Romanian agriculture, as the fundamental component in the rural transition, with particular reference to contrasts between the Carpathians and Lowland areas revealed through investigations carried out in recent years in the tradition of Romanian social survey. Romanian rural affairs have not been nearly so well discussed in the West as those for other post-socialist countries of Central Europe - a region in which Romanian intellectuals always insist their country belongs. Yet rural issues are quite central to the 1992 census, 10.39 million people (45% of the total population), still live in the countryside. In contrast, to the counter urbanising trends in Western Europe, and 'de-agrarisation' noted in some parts of Eastern Europe - almost every permanent rural dweller in Romania is involved in agricultural sources. In the Lowlands, there are local industries in the rural areas concerned with engineering (including repairs and maintenance), food processing and textiles. Daily and weekly commuting to jobs in the towns is still widespread despite increasing unemployment. In the mountains, the towns are generally less accessible but there are often enployment opportunities near at hand in tourism, mining and woodcutting.