BUCHAREST is the capital and largest city of ROMANIA, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre.
   BUCHAREST was first mentioned in documents in 1459. In the period between the two World Wars, the city's elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite earned the nickname of „Little Paris” (Micul Paris).
   BUCHAREST is the sixth-largest city in the EUROPEAN UNION by population within city limits, after LONDON, BERLIN, MADRID, ROME, and PARIS.
Economically, BUCHAREST is the most prosperous city in ROMANIA.
   The ROMANIAN ATHAENEUM SOCIETY hosts the GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL at locations throughout the city in September every two years (odd years).
   The MUSEUM of the ROMANIAN PEASANT and the VILLAGE MUSEUM organise events throughout the year, showcasing Romanian folk arts and crafts.
   Sixteen public universities are in BUCHAREST, the largest of which are the University of BUCHAREST.
   These are supplemented by 19 private universities, such as the Romanian-American University and Spiru Haret University, the latter being the largest in EUROPE with some 302,000 enrolled students in 2009. Overall, 159 faculties are in 34 universities (i.s.).