Bucharest

Bucharest, also known as "Little Paris", is located in the southeastern region of Romania in Eastern Europe. Initially built as a fortress by Vlad the Impaler to protect the region from Turkish invasions, it became the capital of Romania in 1862. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/romania/bucharest/history With a population of over 2.6 million people, Bucharest is Romania's largest metropolitan city. http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html It also serves as a connecting hub for Central and Eastern Europe with daily train connections to Athens, Belgrade, Budapest, Istanbul, Kiev, Moscow, Prague, Sofia and Vienna. http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html#bucharestbytrain Bucharest is the ninth largest city in the European Union. http://www.citymayors.com/features/euro_cities1.html

The city accounts for 21 percent of Romania's gross domestic product (GDP) and a quarter of its total industrial output. http://www.aloizou.ro/subpages/1-1-bucharest.html It also houses the majority of Romania's news media and is a central source of culture and information.http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html Between World War I and World War II, the architecture of Bucharest was redeveloped with neoclassical influences similar to structures in Paris. http://museum.ici.ro/mbucur/english/micparis.htm

The region that Bucharest occupies has been settled by Thracian tribes since 70 B.C. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/romania/bucharest/history According to legend, the city was created on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur. http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html As a result of its location next to the Danube River, the city functioned as a commercial center for trade to Constantinople. It was named Bucharest in 1459 after it became the residence of Vlad the Impaler. http://www.ase.ro/engl_site/buc/buc1.asp By the end of the 17th century, Bucharest was one of the wealthiest cities in southeastern Europe. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/romania/bucharest/history

Since its formation, Bucharest has had a history of war and uprisings. During World War I, the city was occupied by Germany from 1916 to 1918. http://www.inyourpocket.com/romania/Marea-Unire_70226f?more=1 It was occupied again in World War II by Adolf Hitler's forces and was the target of Allied bombings. The Germans also bombed Bucharest after it had surrendered to the Allies. http://books.google.com/books?id=q3BfUcJIYtQC&pg=PA751&lpg=PA751&dq=hitler+bombs+bucharest&source=bl&ots=UCdx89n7dr&sig=OiOX_N_QNU_wpM8EKVtt6DN8j4o&hl=en&ei=DdAKTdydKZS-sAPf3-WFCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hitler%20bombs%20bucharest&f=false The Soviet Union seized power after the war and attempted to transform Bucharest into a model socialist city. Under former president Nicolae Ceauçescu, many of the city's prewar buildings were demolished to make way for new state buildings. http://www.bucharest-life.com/bucharest/palace-of-parliament

Bucharest lies at latitude 44 degrees 25 minutes north and longitude 26 degrees 7 minutes east. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001769.html The city is located in the southeastern corner of the Romanian plain and covers an area of 87 square miles. http://www.bucharest-romania.eu/home/geography At an average altitude of 295 feet above sea level, the average annual temperature of the city is 53 degrees Fahrenheit. http://www.climatetemp.info/romania/bucharest.html

Based on the tradition of the seven hills in Rome, the landscape of Bucharest features seven hills: Mihai Vodă, Dealul Mitropoliei, Radu Vodă, Cotroceni, Spirei, Văcăreşti and Sf. Gheorghe Nou. http://www.bucharest-romania.eu/home/geography The city has a relatively round shape centered around University Square. The radius from this location to the city limits varies from 6.25 to 7.5 square miles. http://www.bucharest-romania.eu/home/geography

• Arch of Triumph: An 85-foot-tall arch based off the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html#landmarks

• Cismigu Gardens: A 17 hectare garden, featuring over 30,000 trees and plants imported from mountains in Romania and botanical gardens in Vienna http://www.inyourpocket.com/romania/bucharest/sightseeing/parksgardens/Cismigiu-Gardens_14742v

• House of the Free Press: Located at the entrance to the city, it houses printing presses, newsrooms and the Bucharest Stock Exchange. http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html#landmarks

• Victory Avenue: Bucharest's oldest street http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html#landmarks

• Revolution Square: Historical site of the December 21, 1989 Romanian Revolution http://www.romaniatourism.com/bucharest.html#landmarks

• Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History: A natural history museum founded in 1834 that features hundreds of thousands of artifacts and specimens http://www.plural-magazine.com/article_the-collections-of-the-grigore-antipa-nationa-museum-of-natural-history-by-melanya-stan.html

• Nicolae Ceausecu: Former president of Romania http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/c/nicolae_ceausescu/index.html

• Damian Draghici: Musician http://www.romania-insider.com/famous-romanians-pan-flute-performer-damian-draghici-the-speed-of-light/14209/#

• Dan Perjovschi: Cartoonist http://www.romania-insider.com/famous-romanians-cartoonist-dan-perjovschi/13658/

• Raluca van Staden: Researcher http://www.romania-insider.com/famous-romanians-raluca-van-staden-the-researcher-who-invented-a-cancer-detection-device/11887/

• Ilie Nastase: Athlete http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Na/I/Ilie-Nastase.aspx

• Nadia Comăneci: Athlete http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069206/index.htm

• Vlad the Impaler: Former ruler of Wallachia and inspiration for Draculahttp://www.vladtheimpaler.com/vlad_the_impaler_bio_001.htm