Botoșani County () is a county (
judeÈ›
A (, plural ) is an administrative division in Romania, and was also used from 1940 to 1947 in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic and from 1998 to 2003 in Moldova.
There are 41 in Romania, divided into municipii (municipalities), ''ora ...
) of
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
, in
Western Moldavia
Western Moldavia (, ''Moldova de Apus'', or , also known as Moldavia, is the core historic and geographical part of the former Principality of Moldavia situated in eastern and north-eastern Romania. Until its union with Wallachia in 1878, the P ...
(encompassing a few villages in neighbouring
Suceava County
Suceava County () is a county (') of Romania. Most of its territory lies in the southern part of the Historical regions of Romania, historical region of Bukovina, while the remainder forms part of Western Moldavia proper. The county seat and the ...
from
Bukovina
Bukovina or ; ; ; ; , ; see also other languages. is a historical region at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe. It is located on the northern slopes of the central Eastern Carpathians and the adjoining plains, today divided betwe ...
to the west as well), with the county seat at
Botoșani.
Demographics
As of 1st of December 2021, it had a population of 392,821 and the population density was 91/km
2.
*
Romanians
Romanians (, ; dated Endonym and exonym, exonym ''Vlachs'') are a Romance languages, Romance-speaking ethnic group and nation native to Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Sharing a Culture of Romania, ...
– 89.0%
*
Roma – 1.1%
*
Ukrainians
Ukrainians (, ) are an East Slavs, East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine. Their native tongue is Ukrainian language, Ukrainian, and the majority adhere to Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, forming the List of contemporary eth ...
– 0.4%
*
Lipovans
The Lipovans or Lippovans are ethnic Russians, Russian Old Believers living in Romania, Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria who settled in the Principality of Moldavia, in the east of the Principality of Wallachia (Muntenia), and in the regions of D ...
– 0.1%
*
Other ethnicities – 0.3%
* Unknown ethnicity – 9.1%
Geography
* Botoșani County is situated between the rivers
Siret
Siret (; ; ; ; ) is a town, municipality and former Latin bishopric in Suceava County, northeastern Romania. It is situated in the historical region of Bukovina. Siret is the 11th largest urban settlement in the county, with a population of 6,708 ...
and
Prut
The Prut (also spelled in English as Pruth; , ) is a river in Eastern Europe. It is a left tributary of the Danube, and is long. Part of its course forms Romania's border with Moldova and Ukraine.
Characteristics
The Prut originates on the eas ...
, in the northeastern part of Romania, bordering
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...
to the north and
Moldova
Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a Landlocked country, landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with an area of and population of 2.42 million. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. ...
to the east. To the west and south it has borders with
Suceava
Suceava () is a Municipiu, city in northeastern Romania. The seat of Suceava County, it is situated in the Historical regions of Romania, historical regions of Bukovina and Western Moldavia, Moldavia, northeastern Romania. It is the largest urban ...
and
Iași
Iași ( , , ; also known by other #Etymology and names, alternative names), also referred to mostly historically as Jassy ( , ), is the Cities in Romania, third largest city in Romania and the seat of Iași County. Located in the historical ...
counties.
* It has a total area of , comprising 2.1% of the Romanian territory.
* The relief is a high plain, between the valleys of the Siret and the Prut, and the latter's affluent, the
Jijia River.
* It has a temperate climate, influenced by the eastern air masses of the continent.
Neighbours
*
Republic of Moldova
Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with an area of and population of 2.42 million. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The unrecognised ...
in the East –
EdineÈ› Raion.
*
Suceava County
Suceava County () is a county (') of Romania. Most of its territory lies in the southern part of the Historical regions of Romania, historical region of Bukovina, while the remainder forms part of Western Moldavia proper. The county seat and the ...
in the West.
*
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...
in the North –
Chernivtsi Oblast
Chernivtsi Oblast (), also referred to as Chernivechchyna (), is an oblast (province) in western Ukraine, consisting of the northern parts of the historical regions of Bukovina and Bessarabia. It has an international border with Romania and Moldo ...
.
*
Iași County
Iași County () is a county (județ) of Romania, in Western Moldavia, with the administrative seat at Iași. It is the most populous county in Romania, after the Municipality of Bucharest (which has the same administrative level as that of a cou ...
in the South.
Economy
This is a predominantly agricultural county; the main industries are the textile industry, the food industry, the electrical components industry, and the glass and porcelain industry.
The is one of the largest
hydroelectric power plants in Romania. Work on it started in 1973, and it was completed in 1978, at the same time as the
Stânca-Costești Dam. They are both situated on the
Prut River
The Prut (also spelled in English as Pruth; , ) is a river in Eastern Europe. It is a left tributary of the Danube, and is long. Part of its course forms Romania's border with Moldova and Ukraine.
Characteristics
The Prut originates on the eas ...
, between
Stânca in Botoșani County and
Costești, Rîșcani.
Politics
The Botoșani County Council, renewed at the
2020 local elections, consists of 32 counsellors, with the following party composition:
Administrative divisions

Botoșani County has 2 municipalities, 5 towns and 71 communes:
Municipalities
**
Botoșani – capital city; population: 106,847 (as of 2011)
**
Dorohoi
Towns
*
Bucecea
*
Darabani
*
Flămânzi
*
Săveni
*
Ștefănești
Communes
*
Adășeni
*
Albești
*
Avrămeni
*
Bălușeni
*
Blândești
*
Brăești
*
Broscăuți
*
Călărași
Călărași (), the capital of Călărași County in the Muntenia region, is situated in south-east Romania, on the banks of the Danube's Borcea branch, at about from the Bulgarian border and from Bucharest. It is one of six Romanian county se ...
*
Cândești
*
Concești
*
Copălău
Copălău is a commune in Botoșani County, Western Moldavia, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Cerbu, Copălău, and Cotu. It included four other villages until 2003, when these were detached to form Coșula commune.
Geography
The commu ...
*
Cordăreni
*
Corlăteni
*
Corni
*
Coșula
Coșula is a commune in Botoșani County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary t ...
*
Coțușca
*
Cristești
*
Cristinești
*
Curtești
*
Dersca
*
Dângeni
*
Dimăcheni
Dimăcheni is a communes of Romania, commune in Botoșani County, Western Moldavia, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Dimăcheni, Mateieni and Recia-Verbia. Located on the once-strategic road between Khotyn Fortress, fortress of Hotin and ...
*
Dobârceni
*
Drăgușeni
*
Durnești
*
Frumușica
*
George Enescu
George Enescu (; – 4 May 1955), known in France as Georges Enesco, was a Romanians, Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor, teacher and statesman. He is regarded as one of the greatest musicians in Romanian history.
Biography
En ...
*
Gorbănești
*
Havârna
*
Hănești
*
Hilișeu-Horia
*
Hlipiceni
*
Hudești
*
Ibănești
*
Leorda
*
Lozna
*
Lunca
*
Manoleasa
*
Mihai Eminescu
Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanians, Romanian Romanticism, Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist from Moldavia, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Emin ...
*
Mihăileni
*
Mihălășeni
*
Mileanca
*
Mitoc
*
Nicșeni
*
Păltiniș
*
Pomârla
*
Prăjeni
Prăjeni is a communes of Romania, commune in Botoșani County, Western Moldavia, Romania. It is composed of four villages: Câmpeni, Lupăria, Miletin and Prăjeni.
References
External links
*
Communes in Botoșani County
Localities ...
*
Rădăuți-Prut
Rădăuți-Prut is a commune in Botoșani County, Western Moldavia, Romania, composed of three villages: Miorcani, Rădăuți-Prut and Rediu. It was seriously affected by floods in July 2008.
Rădăuți-Prut is also a border crossing point betw ...
*
Răchiți
*
Răuseni
*
Ripiceni
*
Roma
*
Românești
*
Santa Mare
*
Stăuceni
*
Suharău
*
Sulița
*
Șendriceni
*
Știubieni
*
Todireni
*
Trușești
*
Tudora
*
Ungureni
*
Unțeni
Unțeni is a commune in Botoșani County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungar ...
*
Văculești
*
Viișoara
*
Vârfu Câmpului
*
Vlădeni
*
Vlăsinești
*
Vorniceni
*
Vorona
Historical county
During the years between the world wars, the county extended over different territory than currently. It was located in the northeastern part of Romania, in the northeast of the region or
Moldavia
Moldavia (, or ; in Romanian Cyrillic alphabet, Romanian Cyrillic: or ) is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River. An initially in ...
. The county included the southern part of the present county and the northern part of the current
Iași County
Iași County () is a county (județ) of Romania, in Western Moldavia, with the administrative seat at Iași. It is the most populous county in Romania, after the Municipality of Bucharest (which has the same administrative level as that of a cou ...
. It was bordered to the west by the counties of
Suceava
Suceava () is a Municipiu, city in northeastern Romania. The seat of Suceava County, it is situated in the Historical regions of Romania, historical regions of Bukovina and Western Moldavia, Moldavia, northeastern Romania. It is the largest urban ...
and
Baia
Baia (; ; ) is a commune in Suceava County, in the historical region of Western Moldavia, northeastern Romania with a population of 7,261 as of 2021. It is composed of two villages, namely Baia and Bogata. Located on the Moldova (river), Moldova ...
, to the north by
Dorohoi, to the east by
Bălți
Bălți () is a city in Moldova. It is the second-largest city in terms of population, area and economic importance, after Chișinău. The city holds the status of municipiu. Sometimes called "the northern capital", it is a major industrial, cu ...
, and to the south with
Iași
Iași ( , , ; also known by other #Etymology and names, alternative names), also referred to mostly historically as Jassy ( , ), is the Cities in Romania, third largest city in Romania and the seat of Iași County. Located in the historical ...
.
Administration

In 1930, the county was divided into three districts (''
plăși''):
[Portretul României Interbelice – Județul Botoșani]
/ref>
#Plasa Botoșani
#Plasa Jijia
#Plasa Siret
Administration was re-organized in 1938, comprising 4 districts:
#Plasa Bucecea (with 52 villages, headquartered in Târgu Bucecea)
#Plasa Răchiți (with 73 villages, headquartered in Botoșani)
#Plasa Sulița (with 49 villages, headquartered in Hârlău)
#Plasa Ștefănești (with 77 villages, headquartered in Ștefănești)
Population
According to the 1930 census data, the county population was 218,258 inhabitants, ethnically, 88.8% were Romanians, 9.0% were Jews, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, 89.4% were Eastern Orthodox, 9.2% Jewish, 0.7% Roman Catholic, as well as other minorities.
Urban population
In 1930, the county's urban population was 50,320 inhabitants, comprising ethnically 64.9% Romanians, 31.3% Jews, 0.9% Germans, as well as other minorities. From the religious point of view, the urban population was composed of Eastern Orthodox (64.5%), Jewish (32.3%), Roman Catholic (2.1%), as well as other minorities.
Notable people
Natives of the county include:
* Grigore Antipa (1866–1944), naturalist
* Teoctist Arăpașu
Teoctist (, born Toader Arăpașu, 7 February 1915 – 30 July 2007) was the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church from 1986 to 2007.
Teoctist served his first years as patriarch under the Communist Romania, Romanian Communist regime, and ...
(1915–2007), patriarch
* Gheorghe Avramescu (1884–1945), general
* Emil Bobu (1927–2014), politician
* Demostene Botez (1893–1973), poet
* Dimitrie Brândză (1846–1895), botanist
* Mihai Eminescu
Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanians, Romanian Romanticism, Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist from Moldavia, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Emin ...
(1850–1889), poet
* George Enescu
George Enescu (; – 4 May 1955), known in France as Georges Enesco, was a Romanians, Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor, teacher and statesman. He is regarded as one of the greatest musicians in Romanian history.
Biography
En ...
(1881–1955), composer
* Nicolae Iorga (1871–1940), historian and politician
* Ștefan Luchian (1868–1916), painter
* Gheorghe Moroșanu (b. 1950), mathematician
* Dimitrie Pompeiu (1873–1954), mathematician
* Alexandru Zub (b. 1934), historian
See also
* 2010 Romanian floods
The 2010 Romanian floods () were the result of an extreme weather event that struck Romania in late June 2010. Currently, at least 21 people died. The north-east of the country, especially Suceava County was most affected. Also affected was the C ...
* Miletin River
Notes
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Botosani County
Counties of Romania
1879 establishments in Romania
1938 disestablishments in Romania
States and territories disestablished in 1938
States and territories established in 1879
1940 establishments in Romania
1950 disestablishments in Romania
States and territories established in 1940
States and territories disestablished in 1950