Muntenian

Muntenian is a demonym for people from Muntenia, a historic and cultural region in southern Romania, also known as Tara Muntenească. The term is used in English to refer to inhabitants of the region and to describe cultural or geographic elements associated with Muntenia. The region lies between the Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Danube River to the south, and is anchored by the fertile plains around the capital city, Bucharest, which serves as its economic and cultural hub.

Historically, Muntenia is part of Wallachia. Its major towns include Târgoviște, Curtea de Argeș, and Slobozia, which reflect its medieval and early modern heritage. The standard Romanian language forms the basis of speech in Muntenia, while regional varieties and expressions are described by some as Muntenian speech; there is no separate national language for the region.

Culturally, Muntenia shares in the broader Romanian traditions, with festivals, Orthodox religious observance, folk music and dance, and a cuisine featuring dishes such as ciorbă de burtă, sarmale, mamaliga and placinte. The plains of Muntenia have supported agriculture and livestock for centuries, while the modern economy centers on Bucharest’s metropolitan area, complemented by services, manufacturing, and transport networks that connect southern Romania to the rest of Europe.