Bucharest Maps

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, serving as the country's primary cultural, financial, and industrial center. Located in the southeastern part of the country on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, it is the 6th largest city in the European Union by population within city limits, with approximately 1.7 million inhabitants.

The city was first mentioned in documents in 1459 and became the capital of Romania in 1862. During the interwar period, Bucharest's elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite earned it the nickname "Little Paris" (Micul Paris). The city suffered significant damage during World War II and the subsequent Communist regime.

Bucharest's architecture is a mix of historical, interbellum, Communist-era, and modern structures. The city center is a combination of medieval, neoclassical, and art nouveau buildings, as well as 'neo-Romanian' structures dating from the beginning of the 20th century. Notable landmarks include the Palace of Parliament, which is the world's largest civilian building, the heaviest building in the world, and the most expensive administrative building. The Romanian Athenaeum, an important cultural venue, stands as a symbol of Romanian culture and the Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) commemorates Romania's participation in World War I.

The city is home to Romania's largest university, the University of Bucharest, established in 1864, and hosts numerous educational institutions, theaters, museums, and cultural venues. The National Museum of Art, housed in the former Royal Palace, contains notable collections of medieval and modern Romanian art, as well as international pieces.

Economically, Bucharest is the most prosperous city in Romania and is one of the main industrial centers and transportation hubs of Eastern Europe. The city has a broad range of convention facilities, educational facilities, cultural venues, shopping arcades, and recreational areas. The city's Lipscani district consists of several streets between Calea Victoriei, Blvd. Brătianu, Blvd. Regina Elisabeta and Calea Moșilor, and is a popular tourist destination for its historic architecture and restaurants.

The city's public transportation system is the largest in Romania and one of the largest in Europe, consisting of an extensive metro system, as well as a surface transport network of buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Henri Coandă International Airport, located north of the city, is Romania's busiest airport, handling over 14 million passengers annually.