Bucharest has been the capital of Romania since the 19th century. As with many Eastern European capital cities, Bucharest was built on the banks of a river - the Dambovita.

Archeological discoveries attested human settlements on the Bucharest surrounding, dating from the middle and late Paleolithic Age along the borders of the rivers Dambovitza and Colentina (about 150.000 B.C.). According to legend, Bucharest was founded by a shepherd called Bucur, who built a settlement amid the Vlasia forest. The establishment of princely residence in Bucharest was realised during the Prince Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes), it has a decisive role in the further development of the settlement. The city is perhaps most famous for once being the home of the bloodthirsty Vlad the Impaler, the historical character on which Bram Stoker’s infamous Count Dracula was based. Later it became the centre of Wallachia. In the 17th century Bucharest became the largest city in the region and the political, commercial centre of the country. After the foundation of the state of Romania in 1859, it became the capital of the new country. Romania joined the European Union in 2007.

Bucharest has a typical continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. In summer, the average temperature is approximately 23°C (73.4°F) (the average for July and August) and humidity is low, but there can be occasional rainstorms. Winters are cold, with temperatures below freezing. The autumn and spring are milder and the temperature varies between 18°C (64°F) -22°C (72°F). Rain falls intermittently throughout the year.

Economically, Bucharest is the most prosperous in Romania and is one of the main industrial centres and transportation hubs of Eastern Europe. Bucharest's economy is mainly centred on industry and services, but it also Romania's largest centre for information technology and communications.

Bucharest's public transportation system covers the entire city with metro (subway), light rail, buses, trolleys, tramways, taxi and minibus service. The best way to get around the city centre is via the Metro. Buses, trolley buses and trams are well integrated and tickets are valid on all three networks. There are more and more private companies running minivans coming and going everywhere but they are generally more expensive then public buses. Taxis can be found outside of most major hotels as well as close to bus and train stations. Taxi fares are metered and may charge extra for night-time travel. Car hire is targeted at business visitors and is quite expensive.

Primary education lasts for four years. Secondary education consists in: lower secondary school education organized in Gymnaziu for grades 5 to 8; upper secondary school education organized for grades 11, 12 and 13 followed, if necessary, by an additional high school year for those who want to move from vocational training (grade 10) to upper secondary school education.

Higher education in Romania is offered in both public and private higher education institutions. These include universities, academies and colleges organized in specialized departments. In accordance with its objectives, university education comprises: short university education offered by university colleges (3 years), long university education (4 to 6 years) and postgraduate university education (1 to 2 years). Public higher education institutions are coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Research. University autonomy is fully guaranteed.

Once known as the "Little Paris”, Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, and glorious Belle Époque buildings. Remodeled, in the late 19th century, by French and French-trained architects Bucharest even features a Triumphal Arch on the elegant Soseaua Kiseleff boulevard. Most of Bucharest’s major attractions lie in a north - south axis through the heart of the city and inner suburbs. The heart of the city is the Piata Revolutiei which lies halfway along Bucharest's historic north-south axis. Central Bucharest has some classic beauty, including a 16th-century Old Court Church with some amazingly well-preserved frescoes. The Village Museum is one of the world’s first open-air museums containing about 300 traditional structures like churches, mills etc.

The massive and grand Palace of the Parliament is the world’s second largest building based on floor space and measures out at over 330,000 sq. meters. It was formerly known as Casa Poporului and was built in Soviet-style. When construction started in 1984, the dictator intended it to be the headquarters of his government. Today, it houses Romania’s Parliament and serves as an international conference centre, it is also used for conferences and exhibitions.

Bucharest offers an exciting nightlife and music scene as well as several extravagant and unique annual festivals. Summer is the time when a number of the major festivals take place. International Opera Festival takes place at the end of spring or beginning of summer each year. Orchestras come from all across the world to participate in this annual event.