Bușteni

Bușteni (Romanian pronunciation: [buʃˈtenʲ]) is a small mountain town in the north of Prahova County, Muntenia, Romania. It is located in the Prahova Valley, at the bottom of the Bucegi Mountains, that have a maximum altitude of 2,505 m (8,219 ft). Its name literally means tree-logs in Romanian. One village, Poiana Țapului, is administratively part of the town, formerly a separate commune prior to 1950. According to the 2021 census, it has 8,368 inhabitants.

Bușteni's average altitude is 875 m (2,871 ft). It is one of the most popular mountain resorts in Romania, with year-round tourism opportunities, including skiing and mountain climbing.

The town and the surrounding mountains were the site of military confrontations in 1916, during World War I (see Romania during World War I). A large commemorative monument (about 25 m (82 ft) high), Heroes' Cross (Crucea Eroilor) lies atop nearby Caraiman Peak, at nearly 2,260 m (7,410 ft). The monument is lighted at night and is visible from virtually everywhere in Bușteni.

The mountains are also the home of several other rock formations that have become tourist attractions. A notable one is the Sphinx, which is named for its resemblance to the Great Sphinx of Giza. Another rock formation is Babele, a structure in the same area.

The main local industries are wood industry and tourism. Many holiday houses have been built in the town since the 2000s.