Craiova

Craiova
Jean Mihail Palace
The Prefecture
Romanescu Park
Old Town
Nickname(s): 
Bans' Citadel
(Romanian: Cetatea Băniei)
Location in Dolj County
Craiova
Coordinates: 44°20′N 23°49′E / 44.333°N 23.817°E / 44.333; 23.817
Country Romania
CountyDolj County
StatusCounty capital
Government
  Mayor (20242028)Lia Olguța Vasilescu (PSD)
Area
81.41 km2 (31.43 sq mi)
  Metro
1,498.6 km2 (578.6 sq mi)
Elevation
100 m (300 ft)
Population
234,140
  Density2,877/km2 (7,450/sq mi)
  Metro
356,544
Demonym(s)craiovean, craioveancă (ro)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
200xxx
Area code(+40) 251
Vehicle registrationDJ
Websitewww.primariacraiova.ro

Craiova (/krəˈjvə/, also US: /krˈvə, krɑːˈjɔːvɑː, krɑːˈjvɑː/, Romanian: [kraˈjova] ) is the largest city in southwestern Romania, the seventh largest city in the country and the capital of Dolj County, situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia.

It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians (north) and the River Danube (south). Craiova is the chief commercial city west of Bucharest and the most important city of Oltenia. The city prospered as a regional trading centre despite an earthquake in 1790, a plague in 1795, and a Turkish assault in 1802 during which it was burned.

Eight villages are administered by the city: Făcăi, Mofleni, Popoveni, Șimnicu de Jos, Cernele, Cernelele de Sus, Izvoru Rece, and Rovine. The last four were a separate commune called Cernele until 1996, when they were merged into the city.