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{{Short description|City and county seat of Buzău County, Romania}}
{{About|a city in Romania|other uses|Buzău (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2025}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Buzău
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[Municipiu|County seat and Municipality]]
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
 |total_width   = 280px
 |perrow        = 1/2/3
 |border        = infobox
 |caption_align = center
 |image1        = Buzau ratusz 1.jpg
 |caption1      = Buzău Town Hall
 |image2        = RO BZ Courthouse 2.jpg
 |caption2      = City Courthouse
 |image3        = Buzau Ansamblu episcopie.jpg
 |caption3      = Bishopric complex
 |image4        = Ansamblul conacului Marghiloman 6.jpg
 |caption4      = Albatros Villa, Marghiloman Park
 |image5        = Bz_Crâng_Foisor.jpg
 |caption5      = Crâng Park
}}
| image_flag         = 
| image_shield       = ROU BZ Buzau CoA.png
| shield_size        = 70px
| nickname           = 
| image_map          = Buzau jud Buzau.png
| map_caption        = Location in Buzău County
| pushpin_map        = Romania
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Romania
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|09|11|N|26|49|15|E|region:RO_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{ROU}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Counties of Romania|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Buzău County|Buzău]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Subdivisions of Romania|Status]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[County seat]]
| established_title  = First mentioned
| established_date   = 1431
| leader_title       = Mayor {{no bold|(2020–2024)}}
| leader_name        = [[Constantin Toma]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://prezenta.roaep.ro/locale27092020/romania-pv-final |title=Results of the 2020 local elections |publisher=Central Electoral Bureau |access-date=16 June 2021 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| leader_party       = [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|PSD]]
| area_total_km2     = 81.3
| elevation_m        = 95
| population_total   = 103,481
| population_as_of   = [[2021 Romanian census|2021]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="RPL2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tabel-1.03_1.3.1-si-1.03.2.xls |title=Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021 |publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Romania)|INSSE]] |language=ro |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 12xxxx
| area_code          = (+40) 238
| website            = {{URL|http://www.primariabuzau.ro}}
| timezone           = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset         = +2
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +3
| blank_name         = [[Romanian car number plates|Car Plates]]
| blank_info         = BZ
| blank1_name        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank1_info        = [[Humid continental climate#Warm-summer subtype|Dfb]]
}}

'''Buzău''' ({{IPA|ro|buˈzəw|pron|Ro-Buzău.ogg}}; formerly spelled ''Buzeu'' or ''Buzĕu'') is a city in [[Muntenia]], [[Romania]], and the capital of [[Buzău County]]. It lies near the right bank of the [[Buzău River]], between the south-eastern curvature of the [[Carpathian Mountains]] and the lowlands of the [[Bărăgan Plain]].

The city serves as an important economic, transport, and cultural hub in south-eastern Romania.

Buzău is a key railway junction where routes linking [[Bucharest]] to [[Moldavia]] and [[Transylvania]] to the [[Black Sea]] intersect. [[DN2]], part of the [[European route E85]], crosses the city. Its favourable position on trade routes has historically contributed to its development as a commercial and industrial centre.

During the Middle Ages, Buzău served as a [[market town]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] [[episcopal see]] in [[Wallachia]]. The city endured repeated destruction in the 17th and 18th centuries, symbolised today by the [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix bird]] on its coat of arms. Buzău began to recover in the 19th century, industrialising and expanding its railway network. Landmarks such as the Communal Palace and Crâng Park date from this period.

Under the communist regime after World War II, Buzău underwent extensive industrialisation and rapid population growth. Some of the factories established then continue to operate in the modern market economy.

The city hosts noted educational and cultural institutions, including the [[Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu National College]]—attended by [[George Emil Palade]], Romania’s only Nobel laureate—and the [[Mihai Eminescu National College (Buzău)|Mihai Eminescu National College]]. The [[Vasile Voiculescu County Library]] and the [[Buzău County Museum]] are located in the city; the latter also administers the [[Vasile Voiculescu memorial house]] in [[Pârscov]] and the [[Amber Museum]] in [[Colți]].

== Etymology ==
The city is named after [[Buzău (river)|the nearby river]]. In turn, the river is mentioned under the name {{lang|el|Μουσεος}} (''Mouseos'') in a document written in Greek and dated 376 AD, recounting the martyrdom of [[Sabbas the Goth]]. Historian [[Vasile Pârvan]] thought that this name is a Greek misspelling of the Thracian word ''Bouzeos'' (by losing a ''π'' from the ''Μπ'' group, which is pronounced like a Latin ''B''). He suggested that the name comes from the Thracian root ''Buzes'', with the addition of the  ''-eu'' suffix, a form of the Greek-Latin suffix ''-aios''.<ref>Petcu, p. 19</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Buzău}}
[[File:Vue_de_la_ville_de_Bouzeou.jpg|left|thumb|Buzău in early 20th century]][[File:1916_-_Albert_Reich_-_Buzau,_palatul_administrativ_p55.jpg|left|thumb|German occupation troops, 1916]]The written history of the city begins with that of [[Țara Românească|Wallachia]]. It was certified as a market town and customs point during the reign of [[Dan II of Wallachia|Dan II]].<ref>Petcu, p. 20</ref> Archeological sites belonging to [[Gumelnița–Karanovo culture|Gumelnița]] and Monteoru cultures prove the presence of human inhabitants before the Christian era.<ref name="mjb_men_23_24">Buzău, mică enciclopedie istorică, pp. 23–24</ref> During the Middle Ages, there was also a fortress of Buzău, but only a few passing mentions in foreign documents are kept.<ref name="mjb_men_23_24" /> The market that was already flourishing in 1431, has also become an Orthodox episcopal see in the early 16th century.<ref>Petcu, p. 23</ref>

In the 17th century, an era of war and foreign invasions began, that affected the town and its surroundings. They began with [[Mihai Viteazul|Michael the Brave]]'s participation in the [[Long Turkish War]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|pp=120}}</ref> and ended with the [[Wallachian uprising (1821)|Wallachian uprising of 1821]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|p=35}}</ref> Natural disasters (epidemics, earthquakes) also took their toll, leading to destruction and depopulation of Buzău. However, the inhabitants always returned and rebuilt the city, which led early 18th century local authorities to use the [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix bird]] on the city seal, as a symbol of rebirth.<ref>Petcu, pp. 30–34</ref>

The 19th century brought a time of cultural and economical development.<ref>Petcu, pp. 123–124</ref> The [[Communal Palace, Buzău|Communal Palace]], the city's main landmark, was built at the time,<ref name="Petcu 2002 53">{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|p=53}}</ref> after the city developed its industry and became a railway hub in the 1870s. Schools were open, such as the Theological Seminary în 1836, and the B. P. Hasdeu high school in 1867,<ref name="Petcu 2002 53" /> and theatre plays were produced (starting 1852):<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|pp=43–44}}</ref> the "Moldavia" theatre house was built in 1898 and used throughout the first half of the 20th century as the main concert and theatre hall, where artists such as [[George Enescu]], [[C. I. Nottara]] and [[Nicolae Leonard]] performed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|p=58}}</ref> For short periods of time, [[Ion Luca Caragiale]]<ref name="caseleluicaragiale">{{cite web|title=Casele lui Caragiale|url=http://adevarul.ro/cultura/istorie/casele-caragiale-1_50ba00127c42d5a663aefcfa/index.html|publisher=Adevărul|date=30 January 2002|access-date=12 October 2007 |language=ro|trans-title=Caragiale's houses}}</ref><ref name="hyperliteratura_2016-08-02">{{Citation|title=Cel mai prost cârciumar din Istoria Literaturii – Caragiale și berăriile sale falimentare|date=2 August 2016|url=https://hyperliteratura.ro/caragiale-berarii/|author=Cosmin Dragomir|newspaper=Hyperliteratura|access-date=3 August 2016|trans-title=The worst barkeeper in the history of literature|language=ro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923165750/https://hyperliteratura.ro/caragiale-berarii/|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Constantin Brâncuși]] have lived and worked here.<ref>{{Harvnb|Ștefan|1985|pp=58–61}}</ref>

During [[Romania during World War I|World War I]], Buzău came under German occupation after mid-December 1916,<ref>{{YouTube|GYY8cNXQbFg|The Mesopotamian Front Awakens – Joseph Joffre Gets Sacked I THE GREAT WAR Week 125}}, ''The Great War'' by Indy Neidell. Time index 7:44.</ref> and many inhabitants took refuge in the nearby villages or in [[Western Moldavia]]. The city resumed its development after the war. The interbellum brought about the first sport matches (association football and boxing)<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|pp=69,74}}</ref> and the "Metalurgica" factory,<ref name="Buzău p. 255">Buzău. Mică enciclopedie istorică, p. 255</ref> a private business that was to be later confiscated by the communists, and continues to this day as part of a joined venture.

After [[Romania in World War II|World War II]], the industrialization of Buzău was forcefully accelerated, and its population tripled in less than 50 years; new inhabitants were brought to work in newly built factories mainly in the south of the city.<ref name="primariabuzau.ro_2015-05-04">{{Citation|title=Primaria Municipiului Buzau|url=http://www.primariabuzau.ro/index.php?loc=municipiul_bz&id=59&show=1|newspaper=Primariabuzau.ro|access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref> Buzău has profoundly changed its appearance, working class quarters being built instead of the old commercial streets, some historical buildings,<ref name="Petcu 2002 94">{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|p=94}}</ref> such as the Moldavia Theatre, were demolished. Their cultural role was taken over by the Labor Unions' Cultural Center and then by "Dacia" Cinema.<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|p=90}}</ref>

In 2021, there was a project, known as "Buzău Mare 2021" ("Greater Buzău 2021"), that aimed to unite Buzău with the commune of [[Țintești]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-administratie_locala-24902094-buzau-buzaul-mare-comuna-tintesti-unire-autostrada-a7.htm|title=Buzăul Mare 2021: Municipiul Buzău vrea să-și dubleze suprafața prin alipirea unei comune adiacente / Viitoarea autostrada A7 ar urma să treacă prin mijlocul noii localități|newspaper=[[HotNews]]|date=6 July 2021|language=ro}}</ref> On 26 September 2021, a [[referendum]] was done to decide this, but as only 10.03% of the population of Buzău voted, which is below the legal threshold requiring a voter turnout of 30%, the results were considered null and Țintești and Buzău were left separate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.g4media.ro/referendumul-pentru-alipirea-comunei-tintesti-la-buzau-a-esuat-doar-10-din-buzoieni-s-au-prezentat-la-urne.html|title=Referendumul pentru alipirea comunei Țintești la Buzău a eșuat: Doar 10% din buzoieni s-au prezentat la urne|newspaper=[[G4 Media (website)|G4 Media]]|date=27 September 2021|language=ro}}</ref>
{{Clearleft}}

=== Historical buildings ===
{{clearright}}
[[File:RO_BZ_Vergu_Manaila_house.jpg|left|thumb|Vergu-Mănăilă house is the oldest habitable building in Buzău, dating from the 1780s. Except for a few churches, it is the only building from the time of successive destructions of Buzău (17th and 18th centuries). It hosts the ethnography exhibit of the County Museum.]]
Eight historical monuments classified as having national importance exist in Buzău: the church of the Birth of Christ (1649, also known colloquially as the "Greeks' church" or the "Merchants' church") along with its belfry; the courthouse (20th century); the church of the Annunciation from the former Banu monastery (16th century); the church of the Dormition in Broșteni district, (1709, along with the belfry erected in 1914); the headquarters of the orthodox bishopric with the church of the Dormition (1649), the chapel (1841), the episcopal palace (17th century), the old seminary (1838), the chancellery (19th century), gate belfry and the compound wall (18th century); the Vergu-Mănăilă mansion (18th century, which currently hosts the ethnography exhibit of the County Museum); Vasile Voiculescu County Library (1914); and the Communal Palace (city hall, 1899–1903).<ref name="patrimoniu.gov.ro_2015-07-132" />

One public forum monument and twelve memorial monuments are included in the list of historical monuments in Buzău County with local importance, including the urban area of Cuza Vodă street (19th century) in the old town, [[Crâng park]], the Albatros Villa (that used to belong to [[Alexandru Marghiloman]]) and the park, the Jewish temple, the buildings of [[Colegiul Național B.P. Hasdeu|B.P. Hasdeu]] and [[Mihai Eminescu National College (Buzău)|Mihai Eminescu]] high-schools, a house where [[Hortensia Papadat-Bengescu]] lived for a few years, and some of the tombs in Dumbrava cemetery, such as one that was originally decorated with the statue "Prayer" by [[Constantin Brâncuși]] (nowadays replaced by a replica).<ref name="patrimoniu.gov.ro_2015-07-132">{{Citation|title=List of historical monuments in Buzău|url=http://patrimoniu.gov.ro/images/LMI/LMI-2010_BZ.pdf|newspaper=Patrimoniu.gov.ro|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>{{clearright}}

==Geography==
The city is located in the center of the county, 100&nbsp;km north-east of [[București|Bucharest]], in the south-east of Romania, taking up a total area of {{cvt|81.3|km2}}, at the outermost curvature of the Subcarpathian foothills, at the crossroads of the three main Romanian historical provinces: [[Wallachia]], [[Transylvania]], and [[Moldavia]]. It is entirely placed on the right bank of [[Buzău (river)|Buzău river]], which forms its northern limit. The shape of the city is oblong, longer along the river and shorter across. It reaches altitudes of 101 meters in the north-west, near the foothills, going down to 88 meters on the riverbank, while the average altitude of 95 meters is the same as the altitude of Dacia square, in the city center.<ref name="relief2">Petcu, pp. 102–103</ref> Thus, Buzău is placed in a flat area, with a height difference of just 10 meters along a 4-kilometer line.<ref name="relief2" />

{{wide image|RO BZ panorama of Buzau from DN2B.jpg|1200px|Panoramic view of the west side of Buzău seen from [[Costești, Buzău|Spătaru]], on national road [[DN2B]]. The Curvature Subcarpathians are noticeable at the left. Main landmarks seen, starting from the left: the Ursus brewery at the edge of Simileasca district, apartment buildings of Micro 14 district, [[Crâng park|Crâng park and forest]], Ice Magic skating rink, [[Stadionul Municipal, Buzău|the City Stadium]], Micro 12/Independenței district}}

=== Waterways ===
[[Buzău (river)|Buzău river]] is the northern limit of the city. This river has created an underground basin that it permanently fuels with water.<ref>Strategia Buzău 2014–2020, p. 15</ref> These underground waters are a main source of drinking water, and their excess overflows to a marshy wetland south of the city, in the neighboring communes [[Costești, Buzău|Costești]], [[Stâlpu]], and [[Țintești]], with small but steady [[River source|springs]], that ultimately form the [[Călmățui River (Brăila)|Călmățui river]].<ref>Planul Urbanistic General, pagina 6</ref>

===Climate===
Annual rainfall is circa 500&nbsp;mm<ref name="clima2">Petcu, pp.104–105</ref> and in winter the snow cover can be as high as 30&nbsp;cm.<ref name="clima2" /> The Buzău River has a fluctuating flow. Especially in spring, when it collects melted snow from the mountain area, its level rises. The city was, however, built away from its deep and wide valley, so the river never floods the city. Even at the major floods of 2005, the waters caused no problem in the city proper, but it seriously damaged both bridges across it located in the city,<ref name="jurnalul2005-05-10">{{Cite news|title=Podul de la Mărăcineni – Moldova, ruptă de Muntenia|date=10 May 2005|url=http://jurnalul.ro/stiri/observator/podul-de-la-maracineni-moldova-rupta-de-muntenia-45374.html|author=Costisitor. Circulatia A Fost Deviata Pe Rute Ocolitoare|newspaper=Jurnalul Național|access-date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081523/http://jurnalul.ro/stiri/observator/podul-de-la-maracineni-moldova-rupta-de-muntenia-45374.html|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> which is also protected by levees, and by the small Cândești dam, north-west of Buzău.<ref>Planul Urbanistic General, Raportul de Mediu, partea I, pp. 24–25</ref> The local authorities consider, however, that their strategy of defense against flood does not adequately cover the city's belt road, part of [[DN2]], which follows the river for a short stretch.<ref>Strategia Buzau 2014–2020, pp 25–26, 31</ref>

The climate is [[Humid continental climate|humid continental]], classified as ''Dfa'' in [[Köppen climate classification]] and as ''Dc'' in [[Trewartha climate classification]], with an average 92&nbsp;freezing days a year (16 with temperatures below −10&nbsp;°C), but also with 92&nbsp;days of hot summer.<ref name="clima2" /> and 25.8 days with snow depth over {{Convert|1|cm|inches|abbr=on}}.<ref name="WMONormals"/> Local winds include the [[Crivăț (vânt)|Crivăț]], a cold north-easterly and sometimes easterly wind in winter, and the [[Austru]], a south-westerly wind that brings dry air in summer and leads to warmer days in winter.<ref>Județele României Socialiste, p. 161</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Buzău, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901-present
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 18.9
| Feb record high C = 28
| Mar record high C = 28
| Apr record high C = 31.5
| May record high C = 37.3
| Jun record high C = 38.5
| Jul record high C = 40.3
| Aug record high C = 39.7
| Sep record high C = 37
| Oct record high C = 35.3
| Nov record high C = 25
| Dec record high C = 21.6
|year record high C = 40.3
 | Jan high C = 3.3
 | Feb high C = 6.1
 | Mar high C = 11.8
 | Apr high C = 18.1
 | May high C = 23.8
 | Jun high C = 27.7
 | Jul high C = 29.9
 | Aug high C = 30.0
 | Sep high C = 24.4
 | Oct high C = 17.6
 | Nov high C = 10.3
 | Dec high C = 4.4
 | year high C = 17.3

 | Jan mean C = -0.8
 | Feb mean C = 1.2
 | Mar mean C = 5.9
 | Apr mean C = 11.8
 | May mean C = 17.5
 | Jun mean C = 21.6
 | Jul mean C = 23.7
 | Aug mean C = 23.4
 | Sep mean C = 18.0
 | Oct mean C = 11.8
 | Nov mean C = 5.8
 | Dec mean C = 0.5
 | year mean C = 11.7

 | Jan low C = -4.3
 | Feb low C = -2.7
 | Mar low C = 1.3
 | Apr low C = 6.4
 | May low C = 11.7
 | Jun low C = 15.9
 | Jul low C = 17.9
 | Aug low C = 17.8
 | Sep low C = 12.9
 | Oct low C = 7.6
 | Nov low C = 2.3
 | Dec low C = -2.7
 | year low C = 7.0
| Jan record low C = -29.6
| Feb record low C = -25
| Mar record low C = -17
| Apr record low C = -5.3
| May record low C = -2
| Jun record low C = 4.6
| Jul record low C = 7.5
| Aug record low C = 5.4
| Sep record low C = -2
| Oct record low C = -8
| Nov record low C = -17.6
| Dec record low C = -23.3
|year record low C = -29.6
 | precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm = 22.3
 | Feb precipitation mm = 18.4
 | Mar precipitation mm = 28.0
 | Apr precipitation mm = 41.2
 | May precipitation mm = 64.8
 | Jun precipitation mm = 82.1
 | Jul precipitation mm = 73.0
 | Aug precipitation mm = 47.9
 | Sep precipitation mm = 46.7
 | Oct precipitation mm = 45.3
 | Nov precipitation mm = 31.4
 | Dec precipitation mm = 30.2
 | year precipitation mm = 531.3

 | unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan precipitation days = 4.7
 | Feb precipitation days = 3.8
 | Mar precipitation days = 5.0
 | Apr precipitation days = 6.4
 | May precipitation days = 8.7
 | Jun precipitation days = 8.7
 | Jul precipitation days = 7.1
 | Aug precipitation days = 5.1
 | Sep precipitation days = 4.7
 | Oct precipitation days = 5.0
 | Nov precipitation days = 4.8
 | Dec precipitation days = 4.9
 | year precipitation days = 68.9

 | Jan sun = 87.8
 | Feb sun = 114.2
 | Mar sun = 158.6
 | Apr sun = 200.1
 | May sun = 265.3
 | Jun sun = 280.3
 | Jul sun = 315.9
 | Aug sun = 300.6
 | Sep sun = 221.1
 | Oct sun = 160.7
 | Nov sun = 98.2
 | Dec sun = 78.9
 | year sun = 2281.7
|source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Romania/CSV/Buzau_15350.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Buzău
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 11, 2024}}</ref>
|source 2 = Romanian National Statistic Institute (extremes 1901–2000),<ref name= extremes>{{cite web
| url = https://insse.ro/cms/files/Anuar%20arhive/serii%20de%20date/2006/ASR_2006.pdf
| title = AIR TEMPERATURE (monthly and yearly absolute maximum and absolute minimum)
| work = Romanian Statistical Yearbook: Geography, Meteorology, and Environment
| publisher = Romanian National Statistic Institute
| year = 2006
| access-date = May 13, 2020}}</ref> (extremes 2001–present)<ref name= Meteociel>{{cite web
| url = https://www.meteociel.fr/climatologie/villes.php?code=15350&mois=1&annee=2001
| title = Monthly weather data for Buzau (Romania)
| publisher = Meteociel
| access-date = May 13, 2020}}</ref>
|date=
}}

===Flora and fauna===
[[File:RO_BZ_Buzau_Crang_east_island_1.jpg|right|thumb|Crâng park, the main green area]]
The flora of Buzău is more diverse in the western forest of Crâng, 189 ha of [[oak]] forest, a remainder of the ancient [[Codrii Vlăsiei]]. [[Crâng park|The Crâng park itself]] takes up 10 hectares of this forest and makes up the main green area of Buzău. It is not designated as a protected area itself, but a few species of plants are protected inside it, such as the ''[[fritillaria meleagris]]'' and ''[[iris brandzae]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anpm.ro/anpm_resources/migrated_content/files/APM%20Buzau/Biodiversitate/Cadru%20general/3FlorajudetuluiBuzau.doc|title=Flora județului Buzău|publisher=[[Agenția Națională pentru Protecția Mediului|ANPM]]|access-date=2015-04-28|trans-title=Flora of Buzău County|language=ro|archive-date=14 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014122100/http://www.anpm.ro/anpm_resources/migrated_content/files/APM%20Buzau/Biodiversitate/Cadru%20general/3FlorajudetuluiBuzau.doc|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the neighboring communes of [[Țintești]] and [[Costești, Buzău|Costești]] there are other remainders of Codrii Vlăsiei{{mdash}} Frasinu and Spătaru forests, respectively. In the yard of the building at the intersection of Crizantemelor and Tudor Vladimirescu streets, across the street from the park in front of B. P. Hasdeu high school and the Banu church, there is a century-old [[oak]], locally protected as a monument of nature.<ref>Strategia Buzău 2014–2020, p. 45</ref> 6% of the [[Lunca Buzăului]] protected area, a Natura 2000 site managed by the Ecological University of Bucharest, lies within city limits, in the north and east.<ref name="natura2000.mmediu.ro_2015-06-02">{{Citation|title=Lunca Buzăului|url=http://natura2000.mmediu.ro/site/93/rosci0103.html|newspaper=Natura2000.mmediu.ro|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112210555/http://natura2000.mmediu.ro/site/93/rosci0103.html|archive-date=12 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Most of the streets in Buzău have trees planted alongside, [[chestnut]] on Nicolae Bălcescu boulevard and [[Tilia|linden]] on Unirii boulevard. In their gardens, the locals grow [[rose]]s, [[Hyacinthus orientalis|hyacinths]], [[tulip]]s, local [[Paeonia peregrina|peonies]], and [[petunia]], as well as [[Vitis|grapevines]] and [[Parthenocissus quinquefolia|Virginia creepers]] for shade. The wild fauna in Buzău is made up of city-dwelling species. The [[house sparrow]] and the [[Eurasian collared dove|collared dove]] are ubiquitous, and the most present small mammals are the [[European polecat|wild polecat]] and the [[brown rat]]. Lakes are populated with small fish, such as [[European bitterling|bitterlings]] and [[eel]], as well as [[snail]]s and [[Balkan green lizard|green lizards]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|pp=106–108}}</ref>

During the migration season, a parliament of [[short-eared owl]]s has made a habit of spending a few days in some tall fir trees located in the yard of the Forestry Inspector's Office in the city center.<ref name="adev2015-04-30">{{Citation|title=VIDEO Revenirea bufnițelor în centrul Buzăului, semn al primăverii timpurii|date=24 February 2015|url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/buzau/video-revenirea-bufnitelor-centrul-buzaului-semn-primaverii-timpurii-1_54ec6ffe448e03c0fdf0fcd2/index.html|author=Iulian Bunila|newspaper=Adevărul|access-date=30 April 2015|trans-title=The arrival of owls in downtown Buzău, a sign of early spring|language=ro}}</ref> Experimental crops from the city's Research and Development Station for [[Olericulture]] sometimes attract [[Carpathian boar|wild boars]] from the riverside forests.<ref name="adev2017-06-20">{{Citation|title=VIDEO Turmă de mistreţi, la doar un kilometru distanţă de centrul Buzăului|date=20 June 2017|url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/buzau/video-turma-porci-mistreti-mai-putin-kilometru-centrul-buzaului-1_59492e5b5ab6550cb853d73c/index.html|author=Iulian Bunila|newspaper=Adevărul|access-date=19 October 2017|trans-title=A sounder of boars, only a kilometer away from the center of Buzău|language=ro}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
<div style="float:left">{{Pie chart|thumb=left|caption=Ethnic composition of Buzău|label1=Romanians|value1=88.42|color1=#8080ff|label2=Roma|value2=4.73|color2=#80ffff|label3=Unknown|value3=6.69|color3=#9f9f9f|label4=Others|value4=0.14|color4=#555555}}{{Pie chart|thumb=left|style=clear:none;|caption=Religious composition of Buzău|label1=Orthodox Christians|value1=91.98|color1=#8080ff|label2=Unknown|value2=6.74|color2=#c0c0c0|label3=Other religions|value3=1.27|color3=#9f9f9f}}</div>According to the [[2011 Romanian census|2011 census]], the city has {{formatnum:115494}} inhabitants, a decrease from the previous census, in 2002, when {{formatnum:134227}}&nbsp;had been recorded.<ref name="kia.hu">{{cite web|url=http://www.kia.hu/konyvtar/erdely/erd2002/etnii2002.zip|title=Recensământul Populației și al Locuințelor 2002 – populația unităților administrative pe etnii|publisher=Kulturális Innovációs Alapítvány (KIA.hu – Fundația Culturală pentru Inovație)|access-date=6 August 2013|archive-date=14 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014005851/http://www.kia.hu/konyvtar/erdely/erd2002/etnii2002.zip|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most inhabitants are [[Romanians]] (88.43%), with a [[Romani people in Romania|Roma]] minority (4.73%). Ethnic affiliation is unknown for 6.69% of the population.<ref name="insse_2011_nat">Rezultatele finale ale Recensământului din 2011: {{Cite web|url=http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_Tab_8.xls|title=Tab8. Populația stabilă după etnie – județe, municipii, orașe, comune|publisher=[[Institutul Național de Statistică]] din România|access-date=5 August 2013|date=July 2013|archive-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118131243/http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_Tab_8.xls|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most inhabitants practice [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]] (91.98%). Religious affiliation is unknown for 6.75% of the population.<ref name="insse_2011_rel">Rezultatele finale ale Recensământului din 2011: {{Cite web|url=http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_TAB_13.xls|title=Tab13. Populația stabilă după religie – județe, municipii, orașe, comune|publisher=[[Institutul Național de Statistică]] din România|access-date=5 August 2013|date=July 2013|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807221634/http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_TAB_13.xls|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Ethnic communities ===
The main ethnic minority in the city are the [[Romani people of Romania|Roma]]. Throughout history, other communities have existed in Buzău, but nowadays they are nearly extinct. Those that left their mark the most on the city were the [[History of the Jews in Romania|Jewish people]] and the [[Bulgarians in Romania|Bulgarians]].

==== Roma ====
Settled after the 16th century by the Orthodox bishopric on its estate located north-west of the market town of Buzău, in Simileasca and Iorguleasca villages, Roma people have lived as [[Slavery in Romania|slaves]] who worked on the bishopric's land.<ref name="Lahovari_Sim">{{cite book|title=Simileasca (Iorguleasca), com. rur.|volume=5|page=389}}</ref> After they were freed in the 19th century and, with the union between Wallachia and Moldavia, the new country got a new territorial division, Simileasca became a commune. In 1968, this commune was dissolved and integrated with Buzău. The Roma community is still located mostly in this part of the city, and it preserves its identity, although its leaders believe that Roma people in other parts of the city, who no longer speak their people's language, accept assimilation by the majority Romanians, and declare themselves Romanian at the census.<ref name="stradadebuzau.ro_2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Țiganii din Simileasca n-au nicio jenă să-și declare etnia – Strada de Buzau|url=http://www.stradadebuzau.ro/tiganii-din-simileasca-n-au-nicio-jena-sa-si-declare-etnia/|author=Corina Răchițeanu|newspaper=Stradadebuzau.ro|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> The community is faced with endemic poverty, high illiteracy, lack of professional qualifications and high school dropout rates, which all expose it to permanently being manipulated by politicians for elections.<ref name="jurnalul2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Tiganii din Simileasca asteapta Marea Chefuiala|date=24 May 2004|url=http://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/tiganii-din-simileasca-asteapta-marea-chefuiala-68413.html|author=Tatiana Dabija|newspaper=Jurnalul Național|access-date=28 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305141141/http://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/tiganii-din-simileasca-asteapta-marea-chefuiala-68413.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many Roma people went abroad, especially in the countries of Northern Europe.<ref name="adev2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Norvegienii finanțează proiecte de îmbunătățire a vieții romilor din Buzău|date=7 February 2014|url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/buzau/norvegienii-finanteaza-proiecte-imbunatatire-vietii-romilor-buzau-1_52f53da8c7b855ff5628bb51/index.html|author=Iulian Bunila|newspaper=Adevărul|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="ziaristionline.ro_2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Țiganii pe care nu-i vede Mircea Toma. "Tiggarna" – Cerșetorii care au invadat Borås în Suedia vin din Buzău, satul Similesca. Foto reportaj Borås Tidning și George Lixandru – Ziaristi Online|url=http://www.ziaristionline.ro/2015/03/28/tiganii-pe-care-nu-i-vede-mircea-toma-tiggarna-cersetorii-care-au-invadat-boras-in-suedia-vin-din-buzau-satul-similesca-foto-reportaj-boras-tidning-si-george-lixandru/|author=George Lixandru|newspaper=Ziaristionline.ro|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> The municipality also runs programs to improve theirs status, and School no. 14, located in Simileasca, is the main focus of these actions.<ref name="ziaristionline.ro_2015-04-28" /> Pupils of this school publish a bilingual school newspaper, in [[Romani language|Romani]] and [[Romanian language|Romanian]], which promotes Roma integration into society.<ref name="opiniabuzau.ro_2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Fiica regelui Cioabă, cooptată în editarea revistei bilingve pentru romii din Simileasca|url=http://opiniabuzau.ro/fiica-regelui-cioaba-cooptata-in-editarea-revistei-bilingve-pentru-romii-din-simileasca|author=Silvia Herghelegiu|newspaper=Opinia|access-date=28 April 2015|archive-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315184440/http://opiniabuzau.ro/fiica-regelui-cioaba-cooptata-in-editarea-revistei-bilingve-pentru-romii-din-simileasca|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Jews ====
[[File:RO_BZ_Jewish_temple_2.jpg|right|thumb|The Jewish synagogue in Buzău]]
Although mentioned in documents as early as the 16th century, the [[Jews]] of Buzău became an especially important community starting with the cultural and economical development period of the 19th century. A large proportion of them were merchants and craftsmen. The Jewish cemetery appeared in 1853 and a temple dates from 1885. Between the two World Wars, 10% of the population of Buzău was Jewish,<ref name="adev2013-04-11">{{Citation|title=VIDEO Cimitirul evreiesc din Buzău, un ansamblu monumental ruinat de trecera timpului și nepăsarea oamenilor|date=11 April 2013|url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/buzau/buzau-cimitir-evrei-1_5166524600f5182b85a74909/index.html|author=Iulian Bunila|newspaper=Adevărul|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> a large percentage compared to other cities in Wallachia, but significantly smaller than those in Moldavia, which saved the community from the brunt of the [[Ion Antonescu#Antonescu and the Holocaust|repression by Antonescu's government]]. Still, during [[World War II]], the Jews had to endure some persecutions: obligated to do compulsory work (authorities abused of the law, and extended the age of the people who had to do this work, as well as the body of the work itself), and to pay 15 million lei (four times the tax) for "The Reunification Loan"; certain types of objects were confiscated from them and special restrictions were imposed. The community had to host orphans whose parents were murdered in [[Holocaust|the Holocaust]], before they were deported to [[Transnistria Governorate|Transnistria]].<ref name="doctorat_maracineanu">{{Cite web|url=http://www.unibuc.ro/studies/Doctorate2013Mai/MARACINEANU%20LAURA%20-%20COMUNITATEA%20EVREIASCA%20DE%20LA%20BUZAU%20IN%20TIMPUL%20CELUI%20DE%20AL%20DOILEA%20RAZBOI%20MONDIAL/rezumat%20maracineanu.doc|title=Comunitatea evreiască de la Buzău în timpul celui de al Doilea Război Mondial|first1=Mirela-Laura|last1=Mărăcineanu|first2=Ion (coordonator)|last2=Bulei|publisher=Facultatea de Istorie, [[Universitatea din București]]|year=2012}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (rezumat)</ref> During these persecutions, the Jewish community was defended by captains Stroie and Ionescu, by the Scânteie and Stahu families,<ref name="romanianjewish.org_2015-04-28" /> and by [[Anghel Anuțoiu]] from Vrancea, a man who informed members of the community of upcoming Nazi raids, saving many lives, including that of Rabbi Simon Bercovich, whom he aided to leave the city and go into hiding.<ref name="evz2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Lista lui bădița Anghel, salvatorul de evrei|date=11 January 2008|url=http://www.evz.ro/lista-lui-badita-anghel-salvatorul-de-evrei-2886.html|newspaper=Evenimentul zilei|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://db.yadvashem.org/righteous/family.html?language=en&itemId=4044236|title=Anuțoiu, Anghel T.|publisher=Yad Vashem, baza de date a drepților între popoare|access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> After the war, most Jews of the city moved to Israel, and left behind a Jewish community of only a few tens of people. Some of the personalities of the Jewish community in Buzău were painter [[Margareta Sterian]] and philosopher [[Ludwig Grunberg]].<ref name="romanianjewish.org_2015-04-28">{{Citation|title=Obstea evreiasca buzoiana|url=http://romanianjewish.org/ro/?page_id=737#i8|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150428100705/http://romanianjewish.org/ro/?page_id=737%23i8|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 April 2015|newspaper=Romanianjewish.org|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref>

==== Bulgarians ("Serbs") ====
In the 18th century, to avoid [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] repression against Christians in the Balkans, groups of Bulgarians settled in [[Țara Românească|Wallachia]] where they enjoyed freedom to practice Christianity; some of these groups came to Buzău. The locals called them "Serbs" as a generic term for South-Slavs. The new immigrants soon started developing [[Olericulture|vegetable gardens]] as their houses were in the vicinity of the river that provided them with plenty of water, while local farmers were focusing more on raising livestock and growing cereals. Although the Bulgarian community was in time assimilated by the Romanians, to this day locals use the word "Serb" as a synonym to "one who grows vegetables".<ref name="bulgari">{{Harvnb|Petcu|2002|pp=27–34}}</ref>

== Government ==
Buzău is administered by a mayor and a local council consisting of 23 councillors. The mayor, Constantin Toma, of the [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]] (PSD), has been in office since 2016.<ref name="hotnews.ro_2016-10-27">{{Citation|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-21056696-rezultate-alegeri-locale-2016-buzau-constantin-toma-psd.htm|title=Industriașul Constantin Toma (PSD) a câștigat primăria Buzău – Politic| newspaper=HotNews.ro|date= 6 June 2016|author=Red. Știri|access-date=27 October 2016}}</ref> After the [[2020 Romanian local elections|2020 local elections]], the local council has the following political makeup:<ref>{{Cite web|language=ro|url=https://prezenta.roaep.ro/locale27092020/data/json/sicpv/pv/pv_bz_final.json|format=Json|title=Rezultatele finale ale alegerilor locale din 2020|publisher=Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă|access-date=2020-11-02}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#ccc" | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
! style="background:#ccc" | Party
! style="background:#ccc" | Seats
! style="background:#ccc" colspan="16" | Current Council
|-
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp;
| [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]] (PSD)
| style="text-align: right" | '''16'''
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}} &nbsp; 
|-
| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}} &nbsp;
| [[National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]] (PNL)
| style="text-align: right" | '''3'''
| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}} &nbsp;
| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}} &nbsp;
| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}} &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| {{party color cell|People's Movement Party}} &nbsp;
| [[People's Movement Party]] (PMP)
| style="text-align: right" | '''2'''
| {{party color cell|People's Movement Party}} &nbsp;
| {{party color cell|People's Movement Party}} &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}} &nbsp;
| [[Save Romania Union]] (USR)
| style="text-align: right" | '''2'''
| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}} &nbsp;
| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}} &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
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| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
|}

Buzău is not subdivided into any lower units, but local authorities guide their projects and strategies according to an informal division by districts. In ''Strategia 2014–2020'', a strategical document of the mayor's office, the following districts of Buzău were identified: Center, Micro 12/Indepenedenței, Marghiloman, Dorobanți, Nicolae Bălcescu, Simileasca, Micro 14, Poștă, Mihai Viteazul, Pod Horticolei, Luceafărul, Broșteni and the Industrial Zone.<ref>Strategia Buzău 2014–2020, pp. 87–98</ref>

Buzău takes on the administrative role of capital of [[Buzău County]], therefore almost all county-level public services are headquartered there. Additionally, at national level, Buzău is the headquarters of the [[2nd Infantry Division (Romania)|2nd Infantry Division]] (''Getica''; former 2nd Romanian Army), one of the three divisions that make up the [[Romanian Land Forces]],<ref name="adev2015-01-27">{{Citation | url=http://adevarul.ro/international/europa/maresalul-primit-onorul-divizia-2-infanterie-getica-1_524d38aac7b855ff56f41a74/index.html| title=Mareșalul care a primit onorul la Divizia 2 Infanterie "Getica"| newspaper=Adevărul| date= 3 October 2013| author=Ion Petrescu| access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref> as well as three battalions under its command{{mdash}} one of engineers, one of signals,<ref name="arhiva.gov.ro_2015-01-27">{{Citation | url=http://arhiva.gov.ro/aniversarea-batalionului-47-comunicatii-si-informatica__l1a63269.html| title=Aniversarea Batalionului 47 Comunicații și Informatică| newspaper=Arhiva.gov.ro| access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref> and one of logistics. Near the city, in the village of [[Cochirleanca|Boboc]], there is a military aviation school.

The highest court functioning in the city is the Buzău Tribunal, with authority over the entire county.<ref name="csm1909.ro_2015-04-21">{{Citation | url=http://old.csm1909.ro/csm/index.php?cmd=9401| title=Prezentarea sistemului judiciar român|trans-title=Presentation of the Romanian justice system|language=ro| publisher=Superior Magistrates' Council| access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref> The jurisdiction of the Tribunal covers all the four local courts (''judecătorii'') in the county, of which Buzău Local Court is in the city and takes cases related to Buzău and 34 surrounding communes, the largest jurisdiction of the four.<ref name="legex.ro_2015-04-21">{{Citation | url=http://www.legex.ro/Hotararea-337-1993-4117.aspx| title=Hotărârea 337/1993|trans-title=Resolution no. 337/1993| newspaper=Legex.ro| author=Romanian Government| access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref> The higher court to all these is the Court of Appeals in Ploiești.<ref name="just.ro_2015-04-21">{{Citation| url=http://www.just.ro/Sectiuni/SistemulJudiciar%C3%AEnRom%C3%A2nia/Legeaprivindorganizareajudiciar%C4%83nr3042004/tabid/275/Default.aspx| title=Legea privind organizarea judiciară nr. 304/2004| trans-title=Judicial Organization Law no. 304/2004| publisher=Romanian Ministry of Justice| author=Romanian Parliament| access-date=21 April 2015}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In the Romanian Parliament, Buzău elects deputies on the lists associated with [[Buzău County]]. Of the seven deputies elected in 2016 on these lists, six ([[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|social democrats]] [[Marcel Ciolacu]], [[Ionela Viorela Dobrică]], [[Sorin Lazăr]], [[Dănuț Păle]], [[Nicolaie-Sebastian-Valentin Radu]]; and [[Adrian Mocanu]] from the [[People's Movement Party]]) have their office in Buzău, while only the [[National Liberal Party (Romania)|liberal]] [[Cristinel Romanescu]] has his in [[Râmnicu Sărat]].<ref name="Camera Deputaților_2017-04-24">{{Citation | url=http://www.cdep.ro/pls/parlam/structura2015.de?leg=2016&par=C| title=Lista deputatilor – informatii de contact| newspaper=Camera Deputaților| author=Romanian Chamber of Deputies| access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref>

In the late 19th century, local statesman [[Alexandru Marghiloman]], owner of a large estate and a mansion near the city, became prominent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.opiniabuzau.ro/index.php/istorii-buzoiene/2323-radiografii-subiective-alexandru-marghiloman-lordul-valah-i|title=Radiografii subiective – Alexandru Marghiloman – lordul valah (I)|publisher=Opinia|location=Buzău|date=27 June 2011|access-date=2013-12-06|first=Nicolae|last=Peneș|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211183238/http://www.opiniabuzau.ro/index.php/istorii-buzoiene/2323-radiografii-subiective-alexandru-marghiloman-lordul-valah-i|archive-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Germanofile, Marghiloman was prime minister around the end of [[World War I]], when Romania was compelled to sign the [[Treaty of Bucharest (1918)|Treaty of Bucharest of 1918]] and began the process of integrating [[Bessarabia]], which had proclaimed its union with Romania in mid-April of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historia.ro/exclusiv_web/general/articol/unirea-basarabiei-romania-documente|title=Unirea Basarabiei cu România în documente|publisher=Historia.ro|access-date=2013-12-06|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211122513/http://www.historia.ro/exclusiv_web/general/articol/unirea-basarabiei-romania-documente|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another known contemporary politician from Buzău is [[Cătălin Predoiu]]; initially, an independent Minister of Justice in the government of [[Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-2476877-catalin-marian-predoiu-noul-ministru-justitiei.htm|title=Catalin Marian Predoiu, noul ministru al Justitiei|author=Dumitrina Galantonu|date=29 February 2008|access-date=2013-12-06|publisher=[[Hotnews.ro]]}}</ref> Predoiu became a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL), after which he quit in 2008 to continue as minister, and in 2013 has attempted to obtain the presidential nomination of the [[Democratic Liberal Party (Romania)|Democratic Liberal Party]] (PDL) for the next year's election;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/evenimentul-zilei-tv-invitatul-de-astazi-este-catalin-preda-1068668.html|title=Evenimentul zilei TV. Cătălin Predoiu s-ar retrage din lupta pentru prezidențiale dacă un alt candidat de dreapta ar avea șanse mai mari|publisher=[[Evenimentul Zilei]]|first=Alexandra|last=Ciliac|access-date=2013-12-06|date=21 November 2013}}</ref> eventually, that party merged with the PNL, who nominated Klaus Iohannis, and Predoiu became shadow prime-minister.<ref name="evz2015-04-21">{{Citation | url=http://www.evz.ro/vasile-blaga-catalin-predoiu-prim-ministru-desemnat-al-aliantei-noastre.html| title=Vasile Blaga: Cătălin Predoiu, prim-ministru desemnat al alianței noastre| newspaper=Evenimentul zilei| date= 11 August 2014| author=Andreea Udrea| access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref>

==Economy==

=== Economic history ===
During the Middle Ages, Buzău's economy was based on trade, as the market town began as a customs and exchange point, and developed due to its position at the curvature of the Carpathians, in a place where roads that connected Wallachia to [[Moldova|Moldavia]] and [[Transilvania|Transylvania]] met. The old market town tradition is still preserved in the ''Drăgaica'' fair, held every June around [[Midsummer]], bringing together small producers and merchants from diverse regions of Romania.

The agricultural reform during [[Alexandru Ioan Cuza]] led some of the Bulgarian gardeners to rent in 1897 și 1898 some land acquired by the state from the bishopric. The developed a distribution network for their produce both in Buzău, and in other nearby cities such as [[Brașov]], [[Ploiești]], or [[Râmnicu Sărat]]. Their activity became even more lucrative after the land reform of 1921.<ref>Petcu, 2002, p. 134</ref>

After the period of repeated invasions and destruction ended in the 19th century, the economy began to industrialize as well. Towards the end of that century, the development of a Romanian railway network made Buzău one of its important hubs and pushed the small craftsmen's shops to evolve into industrial installations. The first such facility was the ''Garoflid mill'', open in 1883, that worked also as a [[Textile|cloth]] factory.<ref name="petcu1353">Petcu, 2002, p. 135</ref> În 1894, an [[Petrol|oil]] refinery of the ''Saturn'' society was built; this refinery was to function for 50 years.

After a dramatic nationwide decrease caused by the [[First World War]] (the 1919 output was a quarter of the one in 1913<ref name="petcu1353" />), the industrial development picked up steam during the interbellum. One of the main components of the local industry was [[Mill (grinding)|milling]]. The first industrial mill in the city, ''Garoflid'', renamed ''Zangopol'' after its new owner, had reached a capital of 5 million [[Romanian leu|lei]] in 1928 and, 30 de million in 1938, while the company that operated it had around 100 employees.<ref name="petcu1363">Petcu, 2002, p. 136</ref> Another business started at this time was ''Metalurgica și Turnătorie – S.A.'' (Metallurgy and Foundry), founded in 1928 with a capital of over 9 million lei. Although it had an initially difficult period, as it was closed during the [[Great Depression]], it was reopened in 1933, only to be closed again in 1940 and 1944, during World War II.<ref name="Buzău p. 255" />
[[File:1970_Intreprinderea_de_geamuri_Buzau.JPG|left|thumb|Buzău window factory in 1970]]
After [[World War II]], on 11 June 1948 all factories were requisitioned by the Communist government, who also began a program of forced industrialization, even though some of the industries that were being developed were unfit to the region.<ref name="petcu1373">Petcu, 2002, p. 137</ref> In 1965, the 318 [[Hectare|ha]] Buzău South industrial platform began to be built around the old location of the ''Saturn'' refinery, blown up during the war. It was the location of the city's most important factories that were developed at the time: the Steel Wire and Steel Wire Products Enterprise (after 1990, ''Ductil''), the Railway Machinery Enterprise (after 1990, ''[[VAE Apcarom|Apcarom]]''), ''Metalurgica'' (the one founded in 1928), the Glass and Windows Factory (after 1991, ''[[Gerom Buzău|Gerom S.A.]]'').
[[File:RO_BZ_Contactoare.jpg|right|thumb|The "Contactoare" electrical relays factory in Buzău]]
Other facilities were located in other parts of the city, such as the Contactors Enterprise, in the north-east, and the Plastic Works (after 1990, ''[[Romcarbon|Romcarbon S.A.]]'') in the north.

Despite the forced industrialization, Buzău was spared from becoming dependent on a single industry, and there was no single point of failure for the city's economy. According to the new law of commerce of 1990, that came after the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989|fall of Communism]], these factories were organised as state-owned companies, and were privatised. Most of them survived the transition to a [[market economy]], as many of them thus became viable.

=== Present economy ===
Currently, the largest Buzău-based company is Romet, a [[holding company]] made up of multiple firms that produse isolation materials for water and gas pipes, water filters, fire extinguishers and other related products. It was successful in the 1990s, with the ''Aquator'' home water purifier. In 1999, it also acquired ''Aromet S.A.'', the company that operated the 1928 ''Metalurgica'' factory.<ref>Petcu, p. 141</ref>
[[File:Buzau_ductil.jpg|left|thumb|240x240px|Ductil steel wire factory]]
Other Buzău-based companies were privatised by programs supervised by the [[World Bank]]. [[VAE Apcarom|''Apcarom S.A.'']], the only Romanian producer of railway equipments,<ref name="petcu1382">Petcu, 2002, p. 138</ref> was acquired by the Austrian company VAE, and in 2008 had a capital of 7.38&nbsp;million lei.<ref name="curierulnational.ro_2006-07-31">{{Citation|title=Profit in scadere pentru Apcarom|date=31 July 2006|url=http://www.curierulnational.ro/Economie/2006-07-31/Profit+in+scadere+pentru+Apcarom|newspaper=Curierul Național|access-date=18 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212053/http://www.curierulnational.ro/Economie/2006-07-31/Profit+in+scadere+pentru+Apcarom|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Ductil S.A.'', one of the largest companies in the city, was privatised in 1999 and divided subsequently, during 1999–2000 by the new majority shareholder, FRO Spa, who only kept the electrodes and welding equipment facilities, and sold out the others. The steel wire, welded metal net, concrete and iron works became [[Ductil Steel S.A.]] and passed to the Italian company Sidersipe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://old.standard.money.ro/articol_6897/constructiile_sporesc_afacerile_ductil_steel.html|title=Constructiile sporesc afacerile Ductil Steel|date=18 July 2007|access-date=2008-02-22|publisher=Business Standard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812101923/http://old.standard.money.ro/articol_6897/constructiile_sporesc_afacerile_ductil_steel.html|archive-date=12 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The iron powder works became ''Ductil Iron Powder''. In 2007, FRO Spa sold ''Ductil S.A.'' to the Russian company [[Mechel]], for 90 million euro.<ref name="hotnews.ro_2007-10-5">{{Citation|title=Rusii de la Mechel cumpara cu 90 mil. euro Ductil Buzau|date=5 October 2007|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1020251-rusii-mechel-cumpara-90-mil-euro-ductil-buzau.htm|newspaper=HotNews.ro|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref> ''Zahărul S.A.'', the town's sugar producer, was acquired by ''Agrana România'', an Austrian-based group that also owned other sugar factories in [[Roman, Neamț|Roman]], a starch factory in [[Țăndărei]] and a juice facility in [[Vaslui]].<ref name="zf.ro_2010-09-21">{{Citation|title=Austriecii închid fabrica de zahăr de la Buzău timp de 4 luni|date=21 September 2010|url=http://www.zf.ro/companii/austriecii-inchid-fabrica-de-zahar-de-la-buzau-timp-de-4-luni-7357694|author=Diana Tudor Stoica|newspaper=[[Ziarul Financiar|Ziarul financiar]]|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref>

Milling is still present on the local market: the largest local producer is [[Boromir Prod]], controlled by businessman Constantin Boromiz,<ref name="zf.ro_2009-05-11">{{Citation|title=Cum a ajuns Constantin Boromiz de la o moara in satul natal la un business de 150 de milioane de euro in panificatie|date=11 May 2009|url=http://www.zf.ro/companii/cum-a-ajuns-constantin-boromiz-de-la-o-moara-in-satul-natal-la-un-business-de-150-de-milioane-de-euro-in-panificatie-4333603/|author=Diana Tudor Stoica|newspaper=Ziarul financiar|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref> owner of the ''Boromir'' group, who also owns Boromir Ind Vâlcea, Panmed [[Mediaș]] and Comcereal [[Sibiu]].<ref name="zf.ro_2009-05-11" /><ref>[http://www.wall-street.ro/tag/boromir-prod-buzau.html Scurtă prezentare și listă de știri] asociate firmei Boromir Prod Buzău, pe website-ul [[Wall-street.ro]]. Accesat la 18 August 2015</ref>

The economy is still more oriented towards industry rather than services, which, according to a 2016 survey of the World Bank, made it more attractive to the labor force of lower qualification (at best with a high school degree). The same survey showed that most of the labor force in the city came from within the county, as Buzău is the center of a highly rural, compact and densely populated area. The city was found to be in competition with larger cities for the labor force from other counties, a feature it shares with [[Alexandria, Romania|Alexandria]]. The proximity of Bucharest makes Buzău itself a source of internal migration, thus orbiting the capital city. Buzău is the second city (closely after [[Ploiești]], a city with almost double the population), by the number of employees in Bucharest coming from other cities between 1991 and 2011; the survey points out that this has been a disadvantage, but might become an opportunity in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/448771499322731333/pdf/116400-ROMANIAN-REVISED-PUBLIC-Magnet-Cities-Migration-and-Commuting-in-Romania-RO.pdf |title=Orașe-magnet. Migrație și navetism în România |author1=Marius Cristea |author2=Codruța Mare |author3=Ciprian Moldovan |author4=Andreea China |author5=Thomas Farole |author6=Adina Vințan |author7=Jane Park |author8=Keith Patrick Garrett |author9=Marcel Ionescu-Heroiu |publisher=[[Banca Mondială]] |access-date=27 July 2017}}, paginile 25, 40, 65</ref>

== Transport ==
[[File:RO BZ Railway station.jpg|thumb|The main railway station in Buzău]]
[[File:Buzau BMC bus 3.jpg|thumb|City bus on route 1, near the Buzău railway station]]

===Rail===
Buzău is one of the main hubs of [[Romanian Railways]], as it connects [[Bucharest]] and [[Ploiești]] with [[Focșani]], [[Galați]] and [[Constanța]]. The city railway station was open in 1872, along with the Bucharest-Galați railway.<ref name="hotnews.ro_2014-03-14">{{Citation | url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-16807977-analiza-cum-mergeau-trenurile-acum-140-ani-poveste-romani-unguri-austrieci-englezi-vremuri-scandaluri-rasunatoare-reusite-uimitoare.htm| title=ANALIZA Cum mergeau trenurile acum 140 de ani - O poveste cu romani, unguri, austrieci si englezi in vremuri cu scandaluri rasunatoare si reusite uimitoare - Esential| newspaper=HotNews.ro| date= 2014-03-13| author=Vlad Barza| access-date=2015-06-02}}</ref>

A branch of this railway, from Buzău to Mărășești was opened a few years later, on [[13 June]] [[1881]],<ref name="gds.ro_2011-02-05">{{Citation | url=http://www.gds.ro/Local/2011-02-05/Calea+ferata+din+Romania++si+inceputurile+ei/| title=Calea ferată din România și începuturile ei| newspaper=Gazeta de Sud| date= 5 February 2011 | access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref> and it was the first railway designed by Romanian engineers.<ref name="agir.ro_2015-06-02">{{Citation | url=http://www.agir.ro/istoric.php| title=Istoric|publisher=Asociatia Generala a Inginerilor din Romania| newspaper=Agir.ro| access-date=2015-06-02}}</ref>

The Buzău-Nehoiașu line, open in 1908, connects Buzău to the smaller towns and villages along the [[Buzău River]] valley, including [[Nehoiu]] and [[Pătârlagele]].<ref name="Nicolescu_Opinia">{{Cite news|title=Linia C.F.R. Buzau - Nehoiasu, 100 de ani de la inaugurare (august 1909)|date=30 June 2009|first1=Valeriu|last1=Nicolescu|first2=Monica|last2=Bănică|newspaper=Opinia|location=Buzău}}, a copy of that article is available online on the [https://archive.today/20150602115958/http://www.transira.ro/bb3/viewtopic.php?t=3760 Transira forum]</ref>

===Road===
Buzău is crossed by national road [[DN2]] (part of [[European route E85]]), which connects the city to [[Bucharest]] to the south and to [[Râmnicu Sărat]] and the main cities of [[Western Moldavia]] to the north. National road [[DN1B]] (European Route E577) branches out of DN2 in Buzău. This road connects the city to [[Ploiești]]. In the north of the city, [[DN10]] also branches from DN2. It crosses the Carpathians at their south-eastern curvature through [[Buzău Pass]] towards [[Brașov]]. The south of Buzău is also crossed by national road DN2B, which branches from DN2 în the neighboring commune of Costești, leading eastward to [[Galați]] and [[Brăila]]. In Buzău, county road DJ203D branches from DN2B. It leads south to [[Țintești]] and [[Smeeni]], where it ends in {{ill|DN2C|ro}}, a road along which it helps connect Buzău to [[Slobozia]].<ref>{{Google maps|access-date=2015-04-28|url=https://www.google.ro/maps/@45.1446317,26.8161519,13z}}</ref>

In the Buzău city area, the only functional road bridge over Buzău River is the one crossing with DN2 to [[Mărăcineni, Buzău|Mărăcineni]]. There is another road bridge, connecting the city to [[Vadu Pașii]], near the railway bridge. It was however closed after it was destroyed by a flash flood in 2005, and repairs kept being postponed, which had an impact on the economy of the neighboring communes in the north-east of the city, as it remains used only by pedestrians and cyclists.<ref name="adev2015-06-02">{{Citation | url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/buzau/maternitatea-noua-podul-vadu-pasii-principalii-agenti-electorali-buzaului-1_5475895ba0eb96501e186dde/index.html| title=Maternitatea nouă și Podul Vadu Pașii, principalii agenți electorali ai Buzăului| newspaper=[[Adevărul]]| date= 26 November 2014| author=Iulian Bunila| access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="stiri.tvr.ro_2015-06-02">{{Citation | url=http://stiri.tvr.ro/podul-de-la-vadu-pasii-proiectat-de-anghel-saligny-e-inchis-traficului-auto_52467.html| title=Podul de la Vadu Pașii, proiectat de Anghel Saligny, e închis traficului auto| newspaper=Stiri.tvr.ro| access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref> Works began in the fall of 2017.<ref name="adev2017-09-04">{{Citation | url=https://adevarul.ro/locale/buzau/au-inceput-lucrarile-podul-vadu-pasii-marti-interzis-accesul-pietonilor-1_59ad7a7a5ab6550cb8a0ee48/index.html| title=Au început lucrările la podul de la Vadu Pașii. De marți, va fi interzis accesul pietonilor| newspaper=[[Adevărul]]| date= 4 September 2017| author=Iulian Bunila| access-date=8 August 2018}}</ref> The bridge was renovated and opened for cars and buses again in 2021.<ref>{{Citation | url= https://www.observatorulbuzoian.ro/noul-pod-construit-la-vadu-pasii-a-devenit-circulabil-ruta-este-reluata-dupa-16-ani/ | title=Noul pod construit la Vadu Pașii a devenit circulabil| newspaper=Observatorul Buzoian|date= 22 October 2021| access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref>

Two main bust stations, one in the north and one in the south next to the railway station, as well a few other secondary bus stops, are used by private transportation companies that operate services to other cities or nearby villages.<ref name="autogari.ro_2015-04-28">{{Citation | url=http://www.autogari.ro/Buzau/| title=Autogari din Buzău, Romania și curse autocare, microbuze| website=www.autogari.ro| access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref>

===Air===
Buzău has no civil airport. The only air transport infrastructure present in the city is the military airport and heliport south-west of the city, but it is used only by emergency sanitary flights.<ref>Strategia Buzău 2014-2020, pp 53&ndash;54</ref> Civil air traffic for Buzău is performed through [[Henri Coandă International Airport]] in [[Otopeni]], 110&nbsp;km away, the main air hub for Wallachia.<ref name="agerpres.ro_2015-06-02">{{Citation| url=http://www.agerpres.ro/politica/2010/12/09/boagiu-vrem-sa-transformam-aeroportul-otopeni-in-aeroport-regional-iar-baneasa-in-aeroport-business-13-05-04| archive-url=https://archive.today/20150602120021/http://www.agerpres.ro/politica/2010/12/09/boagiu-vrem-sa-transformam-aeroportul-otopeni-in-aeroport-regional-iar-baneasa-in-aeroport-business-13-05-04| url-status=dead| archive-date=2 June 2015| title=Boagiu: Vrem să transformăm Aeroportul Otopeni în aeroport regional, iar Băneasa în aeroport business – AGERPRES| newspaper=Agerpres.ro| access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref>

===Public transportation===
10 bus lines connect residential areas to industrial areas (including Buzău South industrial platform), the city center and the railway station.<ref name="transbusbuzau.ro_2015-04-28">{{Citation | url=http://www.transbusbuzau.ro/index.php?subj=19| title=Harti Trasee - TransBus Buzau| newspaper=Transbusbuzau.ro| access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> There are a few taxi companies licensed by the city also operating in the surrounding villages.<ref name="reporterbuzoian.ro_2015-08-18">{{Citation | url=http://reporterbuzoian.ro/cate-taxiuri-tranziteaza-zilnic-municipiul-buzau/| title=Câte taxiuri tranzitează zilnic municipiul Buzău?| website=Reporterbuzoian.ro| access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref>

==Education and culture==
[[File:RO BZ County library.jpg|thumb|The ''Vasile Voiculescu'' memorial county library in Buzău]]

The first school in Buzău was the school for church and icon painters, opened by [[Chesarie Căpățână]], the bishop of Buzău. The school functioned at the bishopric of Buzău, and was managed by [[Nicolae Teodorescu]]. [[Gheorghe Tattarescu]] started learning painting here.

The city's most important educational landmark is the [[Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu National College|''Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu'' National College]], attended by the Nobel prize winner [[George Emil Palade]] in his youth. The ''Hasdeu'' high school was inaugurated in 1867.

The city's public library was opened in 1893, under the name of ''[[Carol I]] Public Library''. Later it took the name of [[Vasile Voiculescu]], Buzău's most prominent author, writer, and poet.

[[File:Colti amber museum.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Buzău County Museum]]

The ''George Ciprian'' stage theatre was created in 1996. It does not have an acting crew of its own, relying on contracts. Its first manager was playwright [[Paul Ioachim]].

The first university in the city was the Economic University College, inaugurated in 1992, a branch of the [[Academy of Economic Studies]] in [[Bucharest]].

The main museum in Buzău is the ''Buzău County Museum'', which exhibits items related to the region's history. The same museum oversees the [[ethnography]] exhibition at the [[Vergu-Mănăilă House]], as well as the ''[[Amber]] Museum'' in [[Colți]] and the ''Vasile Voiculescu Memorial House'' in [[Pârscov]].

==Coat of Arms==
{{Infobox coat of arms
 | name             = Coat of arms of Buzău
 | image            =ROU_BZ_Buzau_CoA.png
 | image_width      = 200
 | middle           = 
 | middle_width     = 
 | lesser           = 
 | lesser_width     = 
 | armiger          = City Government
 | year_adopted     = 
 | shield           = 
 | crest            = A [[mural crown]] of seven towers
 | supporters       = None
 | motto            = None
 | other_elements   = 
 | earlier_versions = 
 | use              = On the City hall's and Local Council's documents
}}

The coat of arms of Buzău is the [[heraldic]] symbol standing for the city of Buzău, Romania. The city's first recorded coat of arms dates back to 1831, and since then, the coat of arms has mostly kept its features, under different designs.

===Description and symbolism===
The shield is parted by a wavy azure fess. The upper half further parted per pale. In the right quarter, on azure, there is the image of the city's Communal Palace standing on a vert terrace. In the left corner, on gules, a [[mace (bludgeon)|mace]] and a [[sword]], argent, crossed, with an or crown on top. The lower half shows, on argent, a [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix bird]], sable, rising from a gules bonfire.

The bludgeon and sword stand for the battles that have taken place around the city, throughout history, and the Phoenix (symbol of rebirth) symbolizes the repeated reconstruction undergone by Buzău during the early modern times, as the city was destroyed by war and natural disasters, and depopulated by epidemics.

The shield is topped by a [[mural crown]] with seven towers, which shows the city's status as a county seat.

[[Image:Historical Buzau CoA 1831.png|thumb|left|200x200px|The first recorded coat of arms of Buzău, 1831]]

===History===
The first seal of Buzău dates back to the year 1831 and shows a Phoenix bird and a church. The church stood for the bishopric based in Buzău, while the Phoenix bird stood for the periods of destruction and subsequent reconstruction that the city had recently undergone.

The Communal Palace, inaugurated in 1901, became a symbol of the city and eventually made its way on the official coat of arms. Thus, the inter-war coat of arms of Buzău is similar to the present one, except for the mural crown which only had five towers, and a golden border on the shield.

[[Image:RSR Mun Buzau.png|thumb|right|200x200px|Coat of arms of Buzău, 1970-1989]]
After [[World War II]], no symbol was used until 1970, when the [[Communist Romania|communist government]] adopted a set of new insignia for the Romanian cities. The 1970 coat of arms was divided party per fess, with an inescutcheon divided party per pale and charged with the crest of Communist Romania (hammer and sickle symbol of the [[Romanian Communist Party]] on red, dexter; flag of Romania, sinister). The upper half was divided party per pale, azure and gules, with an argent Communal Palace on the right quarter, and industrial towers on the left quarter. The lower half retained the sable Phoenix rising from the gules bonfire, which had, by then, become the main symbol of Buzău.

After the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989]], the Communist symbol was abolished and, again, the city was left without a coat of arms until 2006, when the present coat of arms was approved by the Romanian government.

==People from Buzău==
* [[Gabriel Andreescu]], human rights activist and political scientist
* [[Ion Băieșu]], playwright
* [[Georges Banu]], writer, theatre critic, and academic
* [[Constantin Budeanu]], electrical engineer
* [[Gabriel Burtănete]], gymnast
* [[Vasile Cârlova]], poet
* [[Marcel Ciolacu]], politician
* [[George Ciprian]], actor, playwright
* [[Vasile Silvian Ciupercă]], politician
* [[Gheorghe Covaciu]], handball player
* [[Constantin C. Giurescu]], historian
* [[Ștefan Gușă]], Romanian Army general
* [[Paul Ioachim]], actor, playwright
* [[Mico Kaufman]], sculptor
* [[Alexandru Marghiloman]], statesman, [[Prime Minister of Romania]]
* {{ill|Velimir Maximilian|ro}}, actor
* [[Cătălin Predoiu]], politician
* [[Dan Puric]], actor and theatre director
* [[Mihaela Runceanu]], pop singer
* [[DJ Sava]], electronic musician, DJ, and record producer 
* [[George Șerban]], journalist, politician, and writer
* [[Ion-Aurel Stanciu]], Air Force general
* [[Constantin T. Stoika]], poet and prose writer
* [[Elena Udrea]], politician
* [[Andrei Ursu]], singer, songwriter, and dancer
* [[Radu G. Vlădescu]], professor at the University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
* {{ill|Ștefan Vencov|ro}}, physicist and rector of Politehnica University
* [[Vasile Voiculescu]], poet, writer, playwright

===Prominent mayors===
* [[Nicu Constantinescu]]
* {{Interlanguage link multi|Stan Săraru|ro}}

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Romania}}
Buzău is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref name="infratite">{{in lang|ro}} [https://primariabuzau.ro/orase-infratite-buzau/ ''Twin Cities''], at the [http://www.primariapitesti.ro/ Buzău City Hall] site; retrieved April 21, 2022</ref>
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Oudenaarde]], Belgium, since 1999
*{{flagicon|GRE}} [[Agios Dimitrios]], Greece, since 2006
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Soroca]], Moldova, since 2012
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Ialoveni]], Moldova, since 2022
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Strășeni]], Moldova, since 2022

==Notes==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
{{commons category|Buzău}}
* {{cite book | first=Gheorghe | last=Petcu|author2=Constantin Stan |author3=Doina Ciobanu |author4=Constanța Tănase |author5=Doina Filoti  | title = Municipiul Buzău. Monografie | location = Buzău | publisher = Editura Alpha| year = 2002|language=ro | isbn = 978-973-8054-81-3 |ref={{harvid|Petcu|2002}}}}
* {{cite book | first=Corneliu | last=Ștefan | title = La noapte, Cotidianul | location = Bucharest | publisher = Editura Eminescu| year = 1985|language=ro}}

{{Buzău County}}
{{Cities in Romania}}
{{RoJudCapitals}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buzau}}
[[Category:Buzău| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Buzău County]]
[[Category:Cities in Romania]]
[[Category:Capitals of Romanian counties]]
[[Category:Localities in Muntenia]]