Bucharest
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.
Some of the key events about Bucharest
- 1459The city was first mentioned in official documents, marking its historical foundation
- 1595The city was burned to the ground by Ottoman forces during the Long Turkish War
- 1813A devastating plague epidemic struck Bucharest, killing thousands of residents
- 1847A major fire destroyed much of the city center, including many historic buildings
- 1862Bucharest became the capital of the newly formed Romanian state
- 1884The University of Bucharest was established, becoming a major center for higher education
- 1888Bucharest became one of the first cities in the world to have electric street lighting
- 1916Bucharest was occupied by German forces during World War I
- 1935The Arcul de Triumf (Triumphal Arch) was inaugurated, commemorating Romania's Great Union
- 1936The Bucharest National Opera House opened, enhancing the city's cultural scene
- 1940A powerful earthquake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure
- 1941The city suffered extensive damage from Allied bombing raids during World War II
- 1944Bucharest was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe as Soviet forces approached
- 1977Another major earthquake struck the city, causing widespread destruction and loss of life
- 1979The Bucharest Metro began operations, significantly improving urban transportation
- 1988The Palace of the Parliament, the world's largest civilian building, was completed
- 1989Violent clashes occurred during the Romanian Revolution, resulting in numerous casualties
- 2004Bucharest hosted the NATO Summit, marking Romania's integration into the alliance
- 2007Romania joined the European Union, with Bucharest becoming an EU capital city
- 2015A nightclub fire killed 64 people and injured many more, leading to mass protests
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.