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Ploiești in brief

Positioning & relief

Ploiești is situated in the Romanian Plain, 60 km north of Bucharest, in a contact area between the plain and the Prahova Subcarpathians. The city is located in a well-balanced geographical region, on the almost median coordinates of Europe (26° meridian and 45° parallel), which contributes to the temperate-continental character of the climate.

At the beginning, the settlement was formed in an area covered by extensive oak forests, with brown forest soil, fertile and favourable for agriculture. The local topography is slightly undulating due to the presence of old streams and secondary valleys: the Tabacilor, Izvorului and Râfovului valleys and small streams flowing into the Dâmbu, a tributary of the Teleajen. These have given rise to the existence of artesian springs and a variable water table, which are characteristic of the area.

The Ploieștilor Hills, described by the geographer Emmanuel de Martonne, rise near the city, with altitudes exceeding 400 metres in places. The region is also home to the so-called “Brazdă de Novac”, a linear geological formation of gravel deposits associated in popular tradition with the legends of giant heroes.

  • Average altitude: ~150 m
  • Relieu: plain with slightly depressional areas
  • Specific features: secondary valleys, artesian springs, nearby sub-Carpathian hills
  • Hydrography: stream Dâmbu, tributary of the river Teleajen

Climate & nature

Ploiești has a temperate-continental climate, with warm summers, mild winters and an average annual temperature of about 10.5 °C. Rainfall is moderate, around 600 mm per year, with more frequent showers in May-July. The prevailing winds blow from the north-east and south-east, contributing to a relatively stable climate.

The city still preserves traces of the ancient lowland forest that once covered its surroundings. Old protected oak trees can be seen in the parks and neighbourhoods, and in the courtyard of the Paul Constantinescu Memorial Museum there is an impressive giant sequoia (mammoth tree), which has become a local botanical symbol.

To the east, the “Constantin Stere” Memorial Park forms the main periurban green area. It includes the Bucov Lake, large areas of forest and the Zoo, with over 50 species, and is one of the most visited recreation areas in Prahova.

Population

According to the 2021 census, Ploiești will have 180,540 inhabitants. The city is the capital of the most populous county in Romania, Prahova, which gathers about 900,000 inhabitants and 100 municipalities.

Although the city’s population has decreased since 1990-2000, urban dynamics remain high. Ploiești attracts thousands of commuters, pupils and students every day and is a strong economic and educational centre. The population is predominantly Romanian, and most of the inhabitants belong to the Orthodox faith.

The presence of the Petrol-Gas University (UPG), the industrial and logistic activities and the proximity to Bucharest outline an evolving metropolitan profile.

Accessibility

Ploiești is one of Romania’s most accessible cities. It is linked to Bucharest by the A3 motorway and the DN1/E60 national road, with an average travel time of 45-60 minutes. National and county roads connect the city with Brasov, Buzău, Targoviste, Urziceni, Vălenii de Munte and Slănic.

The railway network is dense, with frequent trains to Bucharest and the Prahova Valley, as well as to Moldova, Transylvania and the south-east.

Through the A3, the city has quick access to Henri Coandă International Airport, making it an important hub for mobility, logistics and freight transport.

Coat of Arms of Ploiești Municipality

The municipality’s coat of arms is inspired by the seal of Michael the Brave, the ruler who, according to local tradition, raised the village to the rank of a royal fair in 1599.

On a blue shield are two golden lions with red tongues supporting a silver oak. The oak symbolises the strength, continuity and origin of the town in the ancient Codri of Vlăsiei. Under the shield, a red scarf bears the initials M.V.V.V. – Michael the Brave. The ensemble is crowned by a mural crown with seven towers, which is typical of county municipalities.

Significance:
The composition refers to the historical roots of the city and the strength of the community that has developed Ploiești over the centuries, from the original village to today’s urban centre.