Welcome to Bucharest
	EU capital city since 1 Jan 2007

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania , is the main political, social, economic, administrative, cultural and artistic center of the country.

Location - Bucharest City has a surface of 228 km2 (representing 0 ,8 % from entire surface of Romania , from which the built surface is 70%). It is traditionally considered to have seven hills, in the tradition of the seven hills of Rome . The altitude varies from 55.8 meters at the Dâmbovita bridge in Catelu , south-eastern Bucharest and 91.5 m at the Militari church.   Bucharest is situated on 44 24' 49'' Northen latitude (like Belgrade, Geneve, Bordeaux and Minneapolis) and 26 05' 48'' Eastern longitude (like Helsinki or Johannesbourg ) , on the southern side of Romania, at a distance of 64 km North from the Danube River, at a distance of 100 km South from the Estern Carpathian Mountains ( 125 km far away from Sinaia) and at a distance of 250 km West from the Black Sea.

Administration: From the administrative point of view, Bucharest is divided into 6 districts, called “Sectors”, divided radially from the center of the city (Piata Universitatii).   An elected deputy- major, all of whom are subordinate to the General Major of the city, represents each sector. Bucharest also has a governor and two deputy governors, appointed by the Prime Minister.

Population: Bucharest City had a population of 2.1m inhabitants (2003), which represents a few many than 10% from the total population of the country, of which 49 ,7 % represents the working active population.

Climate:Although the city is located in an area with temperate climate, Bucharest is affected by the continental airflows from the neighborhood. The air currents from the Eastern side are responsible for the variation of temperatures between the hot summers and the cold winters. The city benefit of long and hot autumns and early springs, too.

The average annual temperature in Bucharest city is 10 –11 C. Temperatures in Bucharest:

Average monthly temperatures:        

Annual average precipitation: 530 mm          

Source: Romanian National Commission of Statistics. Weather information (while being in Romania ) can be fount by dialing telephone no.: 9591

Access Ways:  The most important access way is the Henri Coanda international airport, located in OTOPENI - nearby the capital city. Bucharest has the most important railway junction, being the initial point for 8 main railway lines   - part of larger international routes. Moreover, the main highways that cross Romania also start from Bucharest , some of them being the continuation of other Europe highways:

         E 60 – from Hamburg through Oradea to Constanta .

         E 85 – From Poland , Ukraine , on Siret Valley towards Bulgaria .

        E 70 – from former Serbia through Stamora-Moravita

Phone Calls:  to dial abroad from Romania , the “00” must be used before all international dialing codes. Phonecards are available for use with public phones. The most used special services numbers of 3 or 4 figures are:

Transport:One of the largest transport network in the Central and eastern Europe region, which includes: metro (subway) – the most efficient way of traveling inside the city, a surface transport system run by RATB: buses, trams, trolleybuses and high- speed trams (light-metro) and a private taxi system. The subway map:

Taxi services: the prices range between 40 cents/km and 2 ,5 euro/km.

Bucharest and its past history .

Bucharest 's territory preserves vestige traces from the Paleolithic. As far as the name of the city is concerned, there are several legends. One of tem promotes the idea that its name comes from the first settler on the banks of Dambovita, a shepherd called Bucur. Another one sustains that the name of the city comes from the Greek “Helis” (meaning sun, joy) – “the City of Joy ” – as the city was called during the times of Dromichaetes.

Bucharest has grown from a nameless citadel as recorded in 1368. Mircea Cel Batran established it in the 14 th century, after a victory over the Turks.   The city is first mentioned by documents in September 20,1459 (Vlad Tepes was ruler at the time) and it mentions Bucharest as the second country residence ranking after Targoviste; but it began to develop only in the 16 th century, when Voivode Mircea   Ciobanul ordered a palace to be built on the site of a 14 th century fortification. The ruins of that palace, called Curtea Veche (The Old Princely Court), have kept their 17 th century appearance and can still be visited. The city developed with the palaces, the inns, the caravans of merchants, and the churches, which were subsequently built.     “Curtea Veche” (The Old Court) is also known as the ancient city center. Surviving historical attractions in the same area include Manuc's Inn and the Iuliu Maniu Street, Covaci Street, Ulita Blanarilor (Furriers' Lane), Ulita selarilor (Saddle- makers' lane) and Ulita Sepcarilor (Cap- makers” Lane).  

Between the17 th and 19 th centuries Bucharest was the capital of Wallachia - from1659. The year 1848 marked the emergence of the first means of public transportation – the omnibus with 10-15 seats. In 1862 the city becomes the capital of the United Principalities - Moldavia and Wallachia   which will be later named “ ROMANIA ”.

Gas lighting was introduced in 1871 being gradually replaced with electric lighting starting with 1882. In 1872 the first tram pulled by horses came into use, beeing replaced by the electric tram in 1894. Telephone was used in Bucharest even at the end of the 19 th century (1890). The first automobiles could be seen in the streets of Bucharest starting with 1900. After 1860, this once rural town was transformed into an elegant capital.

Boulevards similar to the ones in Paris were created in the late 19th century and dominate the northern and center of Bucharest, which was soon called “Micul Paris“(Little Paris) -due to the influence of the French metropolis which could be seen in fashion as well as in the architecture style.

Later on, in 1918 Bucharest becomes the capital of the national unitary Romanian state. Despite the numerous natural calamities, earthquake s, fires and wars that threatened   the city over the years, Bucharest still preserves some valuable historical monuments: e.g. Melik House, built in1760, is the oldest contruction preserved in its early form; “Manuc Inn“(1808), the churches “Coltea” (1701-1702),” Cretulescu” (1720 –1722) and “Stavropoleos”(1724 –remarkable for the harmony of its proportions and rich exterior decorations); the Savings' Bank – CEC Palace (1896 – 1900), the Romanian Atheneum (1866 –1888), the Romanian University (1857 – 1869), the present ”Doina” Restaurant - built in 1892 by architect Ion Mincu, founder of a specific style in Romanian architecture; the Palace of the Low Court ( 1890 – 1895 ), University Central Library (1891 – 1893 )- designed by the French architect Paul Gottereau ; “St. Joseph” Cathedral (built in 1883 after the plans of Vienese architect Schmidt), the History Museum of Romania -   a neoclassical construction erected between (1894 – 1900),   “Capsa Restaurant” (1856), Hotel Bulevard (1856), Military Centre (1912), Hotel Luvru ( now called “Hotel Capitol” ), etc.

The urbanistic plan of Bucharest was set up during the two World Wars. The main boulevards of the city are built in this period, using many modern architectural elements. Numerous statues and squares enrich the new architectural landscapes. Also, imposing villas and elegant residential areas – Aviatorilor and Cotroceni – built up the valuable urbanistic inheritance of the city.

Bucharest in the socialist period.

A new urbanistic upsurge follows for the next few decades. Throughout the Comunist period after World War II, construction was overwhelmingly orientated towards appartment blocks with little aesthetic appeal but which dominated the Soviet style of the time. Thousands of blocks of flats, imposing social-cultural structures, schools, hospitals, hotels were built in the center of the city, but more were built especially in the outlying districts. This architecture is notable in some residential districts like Drumul Taberei, Titan, Militari, Berceni, Balta Alba, Pantilimon, etc.

Some outstanding construction of that period are : Palace Hall ( housing congresses, conferences,shows), Palace of Sports and Culture, 'Inter-Continental” and “ Bucharest ” hotels, “I L Caragiale” National   Theatre, television Palace, Politechnic Institute. Following the destruction of the 1977 earthquake Ceauşescu's concrete reconstruction is obvious in the south of the centre.

Of   particular note from this period, however, is the Parliamentary Palace ( also   known as the ‘PeoplesPalace' ) that was built between 1984 and 1989 on the order of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. With its 265,000sq.m. of floor space, it is the second largest building in the world after Pentagon in Washington ( which has area of 604,000 sq.m.).

The vast development of the capital began after the December 1989 Revolution. Banks, offices, super-markets, shopping malls etc now occupy new buildings, which used modern construction technologies. The faces of the modern buildings covered in glass animate the streets. New residential neighborhoods are also being built. The city has become a modern metropolis with broad avenues, large squares, animated streets and busy traffic.

Economy: Bucharest represents the most developed and industrialized area in Romania, producing around 21% of the country's gross domestic product, although it accounts for around 10% of Romanian's population.

Shopping: Famous brands shops are located on the main boulevards of the city. Big shopping malls as well as small local shops offer a big variety of products, being able to meet any specific demand.

The shopping in Bucharest is considered to be very affordable and of a considerably high quality.