Bucharest
One of the largest cities in Central and Eastern Europe, lies in the south of
the country, on the Romanian Plain. The Colentina river creates a girdle of lakes Mogosoaia, Chitila,
Baneasa, Herastrau, Floreasca, Tei and Pantelimon - while the river Dambovita crosses the city from
west to east. Bucharest began to develop at a rapid pace in 1862 when Romania gained international
recognition as a state. Following the Union, in 1918, the city became a major European cultural
center and, in the interwar period, this cosmopolitan capital became known as the "Paris of the East".
Today, Bucharest - the capital and largest city of Romania - is experiencing renewed
vigor. The city reflects an interesting heritage of mixed cultures influenced by: the old Romanian
aristocracy educated in France, the German King Carol I, and the communist society.
Among the attractions that shouldn't be missed are: the Palace of Parliament,
with a total surface area of 265.000 sq.m, it is the biggest in Europe and the second biggest
in the world, after the Pentagon, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Romanian Opera House, The National
Theatre, The National History Museum, The National Art Museum, The Village Museum.
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