Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater metropolitan area of 2.3 million residents, which makes Bucharest the 8th most-populous city in the European Union. The city area measures 240 km
2 (93 sq mi) and comprises 6 districts (
Sectoare), while the metropolitan area covers 1,811 km
2 (699 sq mi). Bucharest is a beta global city, a major cultural, political and economic hub, and the country's seat of government.