Bucharest Romania

Description: Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater metropolitan area of 2.3 million residents, which makes Bucharest the 8th most-populous city in the European Union. The city area measures 240 km2 and comprises 6 districts (Sectoare), while the metropolitan area covers 1,811 km2 . Bucharest is a beta global city, a major cultural, political and economic hub, and the country’s seat of government.

Population: 1,760,000

Demographics: About 97.3% of the population of Bucharest for whom data are available is Romanian. Other significant ethnic groups are Romani, Hungarians, Turks, Jews, Germans (mostly Regat Germans), Chinese, Russians, Ukrainians, and Italians. A relatively small number of Bucharesters are also Greeks, Armenians, Kurds, Bulgarians, Albanians, Poles, French, Arabs, Africans (including the Afro-Romanians), Iranians, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Nepalis, Afghans, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, and Indians. 226,943 people did not declare their ethnicity.

History: Bucharest’s history alternated periods of development and decline from the early settlements in antiquity until its consolidation as the national capital of Romania late in the 19th century. First mentioned as the ‘Citadel of București’ in 1459, it became the residence of the ruler of Wallachia, Voivode Vlad the Impaler. Bucharest finally became the permanent location of the Wallachian court after 1698 (starting with the reign of Constantin Brâncoveanu). The city was partly destroyed by natural disasters and rebuilt several times during the following 200 years. In 1862, after Wallachia and Moldavia were united to form the Principality of Romania, Bucharest became the new nation’s capital city. In 1881, it became the political centre of the newly proclaimed Kingdom of Romania under King Carol I. During the second half of the 19th century, the city’s population increased dramatically, and a new period of urban development began. During this period, gas lighting, horse-drawn trams, and limited electrification were introduced. After the establishment of communism in Romania, the city continued growing. New districts were constructed, most of them dominated by tower blocks. During Nicolae Ceaușescu’s leadership (1965–89), a part of the historic city was demolished and replaced by ‘Socialist realism’ style development: (1) the Centrul Civic (the Civic Centre) and (2) the Palace of the Parliament, for which an entire historic quarter was razed to make way for Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac plans. Since 2000, the city has been continuously modernized. Residential and commercial developments are underway, particularly in the northern districts; Bucharest’s old historic centre has undergone restoration since the mid-2000s.

Elevation: 75 m

Climate: Humid continental climate. Average annual temperature in Bucharest is 12 C (54 F), the average for July is 23 C (73 F), the average for January is -1 C (30 F).

Attractions: Palace Of Parliament, Stavropoleos Monastery, Ateneul Roman, Old Town, Lipscani, Little Paris Museum, Museum Of Communism Bucharest

Airports: Henri Coanda International Airport OTP, Baneasa International Airport BBU

Distance To City Centre: 20 km

Commute Length: 45 min

Average Transportation Cost: 35 EUR

Traffic Hours: 7 am – 9 am, 5 pm – 7 pm