Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, in the south-east part of the country. It is the chief industrial and communications center of Romania. Bucharest has a population of about 2 million people. It is surrounded by its urban area extending beyond the borders and a number satellite towns.

History[edit]

The settlement became important when the rulers of Walachia moved there in the 14th century. They built a fortress in the 15th century against the invading Turks, who nevertheless occupied it. In 1859 Walachia united with Moldavia to form Romania and Bucharest became the capital of the new Romanian state in 1862.