Bucharest is the capital city and industrial and commercial centre of Romania. It is located in the southeast of the country, at 44°25′N 26°06′E, and lies on the banks of the Damboviţa River.

The city was first mentioned in 1459 and became the capital of Romania in 1862. Since then, it has gone through a variety of changes and has become the centre of the Romanian mass media, cultural and arts scene. Its eclectic architecture, which is a mix of historical, Communist-era and modern, also reflects the city's varied history. In the period between the two World Wars, the city's elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite gave Bucharest the nickname of the Paris of the East or Little Paris. Although much of the historic center was damaged or destroyed by war, earthquakes and Nicolae Ceauşescu's program of systematization, much survived, and in recent years the city is experiencing an economic and cultural boom.

According to the 2002 census, Bucharest has a population of 1,921,751 inhabitants in the city proper. There are also approximately 2.3 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. Economically, the city is by far the most prosperous in Romania and is one of the main industrial centres and transportation hubs of the region. As the most important city in Romania, Bucharest has a broad range of educational facilities.