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Principality of Moldavia

Principality of Moldavia
Moldova (Țara Moldovei)  (Romanian)
1346–1859
Flag Coat of arms
Moldavia under Stephen the Great, 1483
Capital Baia, Siret 1343–1388
Suceava 1388–1564
Iași (Jassy) from 1564
Languages Romanian (Old Romanian),Old Church Slavonic (in early official use)
Religion Eastern Orthodox
Government Principality
Princes of Moldavia (Voivodes, Hospodars)
 •  1346–1353 (first) Dragoș
 •  1859–1862 (last) Alexandru Ioan Cuza
History
 •  Foundation of the Moldavian mark 1346
 •  De jure union with Wallachia 5 February [O.S. 24 January] 1859 1859
Currency Taler
Succeeded by
United Principalities
Duchy of Bukovina
Bessarabia Governorate
Today part of

Moldavia (Romanian: Moldova pronounced [molˈdova] or Țara Moldovei, Romanian Cyrillic alphabet: Цара Мѡлдовєй) is a historical region, and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river. An initially independent and later autonomous state, it existed from the 14th century to 1859, when it united with Wallachia (Țara Românească) as the basis of the modern Romanian state; at various times, Moldavia included the regions of Bessarabia (with the Budjak) and all of Bukovina.

The western half of Moldavia is now part of Romania, the eastern side belongs to the Republic of Moldova, while the northern and southeastern parts are territories of Ukraine.

The original and short-lived reference to the region was Bogdania, after Bogdan I, the founding figure of the principality. The names Moldavia and Moldova are derived from the name of the Moldova River; however, the etymology is not known and there are several variants:

In several early references, "Moldavia" is rendered under the composite form Moldo-Wallachia (in the same way Wallachia may appear as Hungro-Wallachia). Ottoman Turkish references to Moldavia included Boğdan Iflak (meaning "Bogdan's Wallachia") and Boğdan (and occasionally Kara-Boğdan - "Black Bogdania"). See also names in other languages.


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