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Bucharest Facts & Worksheets

Bucharest is the capital of Romania, a southeastern European country known for its incredible natural landscapes, gorgeous castles, and traditional cuisine. Its biggest city, also called Bucharest, with over 1.7 million residents as of 2021.

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Bucharest is the capital of Romania, a southeastern European country known for its incredible natural landscapes, gorgeous castles, and traditional cuisine. Its biggest city, also called Bucharest, with over 1.7 million residents as of 2021. It counts as one of the largest cities in Eastern Europe, having more residents than the capitals Sofia (Bulgaria) and Prague (Czech Republic). Bucharest is considered the cultural, economic, administrative, and entertainment center of Romania.

See the fact file below for more information about Bucharest, or you can download our 25-page Bucharest worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

 ETYMOLOGY

  • Legend has it that a Romanian shepherd named Bucur founded the city; thus, Bucharest was supposedly named after him.
  • In other versions of the legend, Bucur was a prince, an outlaw, a fisherman, and a hunter.
  • The Romanian word “bucurie” means “joy” or “happiness,” which is why the name Bucharest is also believed to signify “city of joy.”
  • The term for Bucharest natives or residents is Bucharester. 
  • Bucharest has been nicknamed “Little Paris” due to its striking architecture recognized in the era between the two World Wars.

GEOGRAPHY

  • Bucharest is located in the southeastern tip of the Romanian Plain, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River.
  • The city has a total area of 226 square kilometers (87 square miles).
  • There are numerous lakes in the city: Lake Herăstrău, Lake Floreasca, Lake Tei, and Lake Colentina are the most significant ones in the northern areas; Lake Cișmigiu is at the center; and Lake Văcărești is in the southern region.

HISTORY

  • The first ever documented mention of Bucharest was in 1459 by Prince Vlad, whom some historians call Vlad the Impaler, the founder of Bucharest.
  • Vlad the Impaler is popularly known as Count Dracula in pop culture.

BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT

  • The earliest proof of human life in Bucharest dates from the Paleolithic period or the Old Stone Age.
  • Several documents mention Slavs as the first to establish settlements in Bucharest before the Dark Ages. 
  • In a written document issued in 1459, Bucharest was first mentioned by Vlad the Impaler, the legendary prince who commanded that a fortress be built as a defense against the Ottoman Empire.
  • In 1554, Janissary Troops—the elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire—wreaked havoc upon Bucharest when Mircea Ciobanu was deposed by the Turks.

17TH CENTURY

  • In 1594, Michael the Brave led an uprising against the Ottoman Empire. 
  • In this clash between the Ottomans and Wallachians, Bucharest was almost completely destroyed by the forces of Ottoman Grand Vizier Koca Sinan Pasha. 
  • In 1655, Bucharest was under attack again, this time by Segmen or Seimeni Mercenaries, who were destroyed by the troops of Transylvania led by Constantin Șerban who also played a significant role in rebuilding the land. 
  • In the 1660s, Bucharest experienced famine and the bubonic plague. 
  • From 1659 to 1716, Bucharest saw a period of tranquility, peace, and prosperity under the reigns of Gheorghe Ghica and Ștefan Cantacuzino, respectively.

1800s to 1900s – CAPITAL OF NEW ROMANIA

  • In 1859, the Romanian United Principalities were created after the unification of the Moldavia and Wallachia principalities. 
  • Bucharest became the capital of new Romania on the 24th of January 1862. 
  • In 1881, Romania gained its independence after the Russo-Turkish War, which saw Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen crowned as King Carol I. In 1916, Bucharest fell into the hands of the Germans during the First World War.
  • In 1977, an earthquake struck, causing 1,400 deaths and destroying numerous buildings in Bucharest. 
  • In 1980, a renovation of Bucharest was ordered by President Nicolae Ceaușescu, but this was done at the cost of destroying historical parts of the city. 
  • This decision resulted in Bucharest losing a significant part of its historical and monumental heritage. 
  • In 1947, the Communist Regime was established after the People’s Republic proclamation. 
  • During the Romanian Revolution of 1989, Bucharest was witness to the overthrow of the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

PRESENT-DAY BUCHAREST

  • Bucharest has been modernized since the beginning of the 2000s.
  • By the mid-2000s, the old historic center of Bucharest had been restored.
  • In 2007, Romania joined the European Union. However, the used currency is the leu instead of the euro.
  • This move significantly led to the recovery of Bucharest’s historical heritage up to the present day.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • Bucharest has a population of 1.7 million as of 2021, making it the biggest city in Bucharest and one of the biggest cities in Eastern Europe.
  • Romanian Orthodox is the primary religion in the city.
  • Around 97% of the population are Romanians.
  • Romanian is the official language in Bucharest. 
  • English is also widely spoken in the capital.

CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

  • Bucharest is nicknamed “Little Paris” due to the many Art Nouveau buildings and Haussmannian-style architecture in the city.
  • It has also been referred to as “New Berlin” because of the unique street art and vibrant nightlife found in the city.
  • Museums that showcase both classical and contemporary Romanian art make good tourist attractions.
  • In terms of performing arts, Bucharest is home to the Romanian National Opera and the National Radio Orchestra of Romania.
  • Bucharest also has Romania’s biggest recording labels as well as buzzing jazz, blues, house music, and heavy metal or punk music scenes.
  • Lipscani and Regie provide popular venues for nightlife.
  • Popular cultural festivals in the city include the International Opera Festival every year in May and June, the Bucharest International Film Festival in September, the Bucharest Biennale for Contemporary Art, and the International CowParade.

FAMOUS SITES AND LANDMARKS

  • At the center of Bucharest is the Old Town, a historic center which is the heart of the city’s nightlife.
  • The Palace of the Patriarchate in Bucharest was where successive Romanian legislatures were seated.
  • Made from Romanian marble, the Palace of the Patriarchate is said to be the heaviest building in the world, weighing over 4 million tonnes.
  • The city has its own version of the Arc de Triomphe, the Triumphal Arch of Bucharest, built to commemorate Romania’s victory in World War I.
  • The longest boulevard in Europe, the 3,500-meter-long Bulevardul Unirii or Union Boulevard, is also found in Bucharest. 
  • Bucharest is also home to the largest thermal spa in Europe, the Therme Bucharest.
  • Bucharest’s oldest road, Calea Victoriei, is the city’s main boulevard and is lined with elegant architecture and upscale establishments.
  • Created in 1847, surrounding an artificial lake, the Cișmigiu Garden at the center of Bucharest is a place to enjoy nature.

Bucharest Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Bucharest across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Bucharest. Bucharest is considered the cultural, economic, administrative, and entertainment center of Romania.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Bucharest Facts
  2. About Little Paris
  3. Bucharest Bluffs
  4. Missing Pieces
  5. Must-Visit Places
  6. Culture Clues
  7. Picture the Past
  8. Vlog Script
  9. Romanian Cities
  10. Learning the Language
  11. Roaming Romania

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Romania?

The capital of Romania is Bucharest

What is the population of Bucharest?

As of an update in January 2022, the population of Bucharest was approximately 1.8 million people

What are some popular tourist attractions in Bucharest?

Bucharest has several popular tourist attractions, including the Palace of the Parliament, Herastrau Park, the Village Museum, the Old Town (Lipscani), and the Cotroceni Palace, among others.

What is the history of Bucharest?

Bucharest has a rich history dating back to the 14th century when it was first mentioned as a fortified city. Over the centuries, it has been influenced by various cultures, including Ottoman, French, and Russian. It became the capital of Romania in 1862.

What is the local cuisine in Bucharest?

Romanian cuisine is prevalent in Bucharest, featuring dishes such as mămăligă (cornmeal porridge), sarmale (cabbage rolls), and mici (grilled sausages). You can also find a variety of international restaurants and fast food options in the city.

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Link will appear as Bucharest Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 6, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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