Root is a privileged account in Linux (or Unix). Every Unix systems has this account for administrator to manage the system. It can do everything both constructive and destructive on the system. Using it improperly, you risk destroying the system, such as removing important system files, formatting the harddisk, shutting down essential services, removing users, etc.
Use this account unless absolutely required to prevent human errors done accidentally. Even if you are responsible for the administration of the system, you should have your own normal user account.
In Linux, home directory of root is /root.