Taraclia District

The Taraclia district is situated in the south of the Republic of Moldova, in the South Development Region. Its seat is the town of Taraclia. The district borders Ukraine to the south and the ATU of Gagauzia and other districts in the south of the country. It is known for its distinct ethnocultural identity, being the main centre of the Bulgarian community in the Republic of Moldova, which gives it a distinct place in the national mosaic.

Geography

With an area of roughly 674 km², the district falls within the Bugeac plain, with a gently undulating steppe relief in which altitudes do not usually exceed 200 metres. The climate is temperate-continental, with warm summers and moderately windy winters. The soils are largely chernozems, although a significant share — about one third — is made up of saline land, which requires improvement works in order to be used agriculturally.

Population and ethnic groups

At the 2014 census, the district had around 37,400 inhabitants, with a density of about 55 inhabitants/km². Its distinctive feature is its ethnic composition: Bulgarians form the majority (about 66%), alongside Moldovans/Romanians, Gagauz, Ukrainians and Russians. This diversity is reflected in the district's cultural, religious and linguistic life and in its customs, where Bulgarian traditions, dress and festivals are kept alive.

Economy and history

The economy is predominantly agricultural, focused on viticulture, cereals, sunflower and animal husbandry, complemented by the food industry. The settlement of Taraclia was founded by Bulgarian colonists at the beginning of the 19th century, refugees from the Balkans on Bessarabian territories, who preserved their original language and culture across generations. The district, in its first administrative form, was constituted in November 1940, went through several territorial reorganisations in the Soviet period and was re-established in its modern form towards 1980. Through its multi-ethnic character, its well-preserved Bulgarian traditions and its role as cultural centre of the Bulgarian community in Moldova, the Taraclia district holds a distinct place in the country's administrative and cultural landscape, being an example of several ethnic communities living together in the south of the Republic of Moldova.