Cahul

Cahul, Moldova
City

Independence Square

Coat of arms
Cahul, Moldova

Location of Cahul within Moldova

Coordinates: 45°55′0″N 28°11′01″E / 45.91667°N 28.18361°E / 45.91667; 28.18361Coordinates: 45°55′0″N 28°11′01″E / 45.91667°N 28.18361°E / 45.91667; 28.18361
Country Moldova
County Cahul District
Status Administrative city
Founded 1502 (first official record)
Government
 • Mayor Nicolae Dandiș (Independent)
Area
 • Total 33.91 km2 (13.09 sq mi)
Elevation 119 m (390 ft)
Population (1 January 2013 (est.))[1]
 • Total 41,100
 • Density 1,212,4/km2 (31,400/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Website www.primariacahul.md

Cahul (Romanian pronunciation: [kaˈhul]; also known by other alternative names) is a city in southern Moldova. The city is the administrative center of Cahul District; it also administers one village, Cotihana. As of 1 January 2009, it has an estimated population of 39,400.[2]

Etymology and names

The city of Cahul (Russian: Kagul/Кагул, Bulgarian: Кахул) is believed to have been inhabited for many centuries, although it has had a number of different names over the years – the name Scheia (Old Romanian for "Bulgarian") was recorded in 1502, and the name Frumoasa ("Beautiful" in Romanian) was recorded in 1716. The modern name was given to the settlement after the Battle of Kagul, which was fought nearby.

History

Cathedral of the Holy Archangel Mihail (1837)

The city's location had made it a frequent battleground for a number of armies, with possession of frequently switching between countries such as Principality of Moldavia, Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire.

The city was a part of the Moldavia before 1812, then Russia from 1812 to 1856, then again Moldavia/Romanian Principalities (1856–1878), then Russia again (1878–1918), then Romania again (1918–1940), then the Soviet Union (1940–1941), then again Romania, the Soviet Union again (1944–1991) and finally Moldova (1991 to the present).

Apart from the battles that have been fought over it, Cahul is also known for its thermal spas and for its folk music.

Climate

Cahul has a humid continental-type climate (Köppen climate classification "Dfb" – summer wetter than winter, European subtype) with four distinct seasons. Average monthly precipitation ranges from about 28 mm (1.1 in) in October to 76 mm (3 in) in June.

Climate data for Cahul, Moldova
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 0.2
(32.4)		 1.8
(35.2)		 7.9
(46.2)		 15.9
(60.6)		 21.6
(70.9)		 25.0
(77)		 26.8
(80.2)		 26.5
(79.7)		 22.6
(72.7)		 15.9
(60.6)		 8.5
(47.3)		 2.6
(36.7)		 14.6
(58.3)
Average low °C (°F) −5.7
(21.7)		 −3.7
(25.3)		 −0.2
(31.6)		 5.6
(42.1)		 11.1
(52)		 14.5
(58.1)		 16.0
(60.8)		 15.7
(60.3)		 11.9
(53.4)		 6.6
(43.9)		 1.9
(35.4)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 5.9
(42.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 36
(1.42)		 39
(1.54)		 33
(1.3)		 41
(1.61)		 56
(2.2)		 76
(2.99)		 66
(2.6)		 56
(2.2)		 48
(1.89)		 28
(1.1)		 38
(1.5)		 40
(1.57)		 557
(21.93)
Average precipitation days 12 13 10 10 11 11 10 8 7 7 11 12 122
Source: World Weather Information Service[3]

Demographics

As of 1920, the population was estimated to be 12,000. Groups settled in the area included Romanians, Jewish, Germans, Bulgarians, and Greeks.[4]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1930 10,437—    
1959 16,068+54.0%
1970 26,572+65.4%
1979 32,695+23.0%
1989 42,904+31.2%
2004 35,488−17.3%
2012 est.41,100+15.8%

According to the last Moldovan census from 2004 there were 35,488 people living within the city of Cahul (making it the sixth largest city in Moldova) and 1,317 people within Cotihana.[5]

Of this population, 60.5% are Moldovans/Romanians, 17.1% Russians, 11.1% Ukrainians, 6.6% Bulgarians, 3.2% ethnic Gagauz and 1.5% others.

Culture

Cahul History Museum

Cahul is home to the Cahul Musical-Drama Theatre, Cahul History Museum, and other public institutions and monuments. Every two years, at the beginning of July, in Cahul takes place an important folk music festival, "Nufărul Alb" ("White Nymphaea").

Media

Tourism

Cahul is also a destination as spa and health resort. The city and surrounding areas are richest with mineral springs enriched with bromine and iodine. The "Nufărul Alb" Balneotherapy and Well-being Centre consists of hospital, hotel and entertaining spots.

Education

Cahul is home to the State University of Cahul, opened in 1999 and named after Romanian writer and philologist Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu. The university is made up of 3 faculties (Philology – History, Law – Public Administration and Business – Computer Science – Mathematics) with around 2,150 students.

Transport

Road

Cahul is connected by national roads with Chișinău, Giurgiulești, Oancea (Romania) and Reni (Ukraine). Cahul is also a border checkpoint to Romania.

Rail

The railway station serves the city and is operated by Moldovan Railways. It provides direct rail connections to Chișinău.

Air

The city is served by the Cahul International Airport located 8 km south-east of the city centre. Currently, the airport has no scheduled flights.

Twin towns – Sister cities

Cahul is twinned with:

Consulates in Cahul

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Number of resident population in the Republic of Moldova as of 1st January 2013, in territorial aspect" (Press release). National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Demographic, 1 January 2009
  3. ↑ "Weather Information for Cahul". World Weather Information Service. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  4. ↑ Kaba, John (1919). Politico-economic Review of Basarabia. United States: American Relief Administration. p. 16.
  5. ↑ 2004 Census – Demographic, national, language and cultural characteristics at National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova
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