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I INTRODUCTION Bucharest, capital and largest city of Romania, located in the
southeastern part of the country. The city is situated about 65 km (about 40 mi)
north of the Danube River, near Ploieºti, on the banks of the Dimboviþa
River (a tributary of the Danube). Bucharest lies on a generally level plain and,
including suburban districts, occupies an area of about 300 sq km (about 117 sq
mi).
II POPULATION
In 1930 the population of Bucharest was 631,288. By the 1950s, as a result of
industrialization and urbanization policies, the population doubled, and it
has continued to increase steadily. The population was 2,037,000 in 1997.
The rise in population caused severe housing shortages, and by the mid-1990s
housing was still in short supply. Romania's lack of financial resources has
prohibited the construction of new apartment buildings; many structures begun
before the 1990s are still unfinished.
III ECONOMY
Bucharest is a major industrial center and the main financial and trade center
of Romania. The city accounts for about 20 percent of the country's industrial
production. Industries include heavy machinery, aviation, precision machinery,
agricultural tools, furniture, electronics, chemicals, textiles, leather goods,
wire, soap, cosmetics, and food processing.
IV THE URBAN LANDSCAPE
The city is divided into two sections by the Dimboviþa River and
is crossed by two wide boulevards. Bucharest contains six administrative districts;
the adjacent rural area forms a seventh district. Most industrial areas are
located in the suburbs, while the city is primarily residential. Bucharest,
known as the “Paris of the Balkans” in the early 20th century, was
a cosmopolitan city before 1944 when its architecture, city planning, and culture
were French-inspired. After a Communist government came to power following World
War II (1939-1945), French cultural qualities were ended, although the architecture
remains. During the 1980s, under the orders of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauºescu,
a vast area on the banks of the Dimboviþa was razed, including houses
and historical monuments. Buildings of North Korean architectural style were
then erected, although many of these structures are still unfinished.
V POINTS OF INTEREST
Noteworthy secular structures include the Palace of Justice (1864), the Stirbey
Palace (1835), the National Bank (1885), the Presidential Palace (previously
Cotroceni Palace; 17th century with later additions), and the buildings of the
Central Library of the University (1893). In the 20th century, the Cantacuzino
Palace (1900), the Central Post Palace (1900), the Central Savings Bank (1900),
the Royal Palace (1935), the Central Army House (1913), and the Arch of Triumph
(1920) were built. Among Bucharest's outstanding religious structures are the
Antim Monastery (1715) and the Patriarchate Church (1665). Bucharest has many
parks and wooded areas, including Herastrau, a large park with
lakes.
VI EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
Educational institutions in Bucharest include the University of Bucharest (founded
in 1694; refounded in 1864) and the Polytechnic University (1819). The city
is also the site of the academies of economics, agriculture, architecture, medicine,
and music.
The city has several libraries, including the National Library (1955) and the
Library of the Academy of Romania (1867). Other cultural institutions include
the Romanian National Museum of Art (1950); the National History Museum of Romania
(1968); and the Romanian Athenaeum (1888), the concert hall of the Romanian
Philharmonic.
VII HISTORY The history of Bucharest is traced to the 15th century. Following
the revolt of the vassal principalities of Walachia and Moldavia against their
Ottoman conquerors, the Ottomans burned the city in 1595. In 1698 the Ottoman
sultan Mustafa II made Bucharest the seat of the Walachian government. Wars
routinely erupted among the Ottoman Empire, Austria, and Russia between 1711
and 1829, and Bucharest, geographically in the middle of the conflicts, was
periodically occupied and destroyed.
In 1859 Bucharest became the administrative center of the united principalities
of Walachia and Moldavia, under Ottoman suzerainty. By the decisions of the
Congress of Berlin, which provided for a general settlement of the Balkan situation
after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 and 1878 (see Russo-Turkish Wars), Romania
was recognized as an independent country with Bucharest as its capital. German
troops occupied Bucharest from December 1916 until mid-1918 during World War
I. During World War II Romanian dictator Ion Antonescu admitted German troops
into Romania in October 1940, and the Germans occupied Bucharest until 1944.
Weakened by Romanian insurrection and Allied bombings, the Germans surrendered
when Soviet forces entered the city in August. Soviet military occupation lasted
until 1958.
In addition to the ravages of several wars, Bucharest has endured epidemics
of bubonic plague, fires, and earthquakes. In 1977 an earthquake resulted in
the death of more than 1500 people and extensive property damage. Another earthquake
occurred in 1990, but caused only minor damage.