Galați () is a county (
județ) of
Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...
, in
Moldavia
Moldavia ( ro, Moldova, or , literally "The Country of Moldavia"; in Romanian Cyrillic: or ; chu, Землѧ Молдавскаѧ; el, Ἡγεμονία τῆς Μολδαβίας) is a historical region and former principality in Centr ...
region, with the capital city at
Galați
Galați (, , ; also known by other alternative names) is the capital city of Galați County in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most par ...
.
History
Historically Galați is part of
Moldavia
Moldavia ( ro, Moldova, or , literally "The Country of Moldavia"; in Romanian Cyrillic: or ; chu, Землѧ Молдавскаѧ; el, Ἡγεμονία τῆς Μολδαβίας) is a historical region and former principality in Centr ...
. In 1858, it was represented by
Alexandru Ioan Cuza
Alexandru Ioan Cuza (, or Alexandru Ioan I, also anglicised as Alexander John Cuza; 20 March 1820 – 15 May 1873) was the first ''domnitor'' (Ruler) of the Romanian Principalities through his double election as prince of Moldavia on 5 Januar ...
at the ''
ad hoc Divan
The two Ad hoc Divans were legislative{{cn, date=February 2017 and consultative assemblies of the Danubian Principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia), vassals of the Ottoman Empire. They were established by the Great Powers under the Treaty of Par ...
'' at
Iași
Iași ( , , ; also known by other alternative names), also referred to mostly historically as Jassy ( , ), is the second largest city in Romania and the seat of Iași County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, it has traditionally ...
, in the wake of the
Crimean War
The Crimean War, , was fought from October 1853 to February 1856 between Russia and an ultimately victorious alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, the United Kingdom and Piedmont-Sardinia.
Geopolitical causes of the war included the de ...
.
Prior to 1938 what is now eastern Galați was the separate
Covurlui County
Covurlui County is one of the historic counties of Moldavia, Romania. The county seat was Galați.
In 1938, the county was disestablished and incorporated into the newly formed Ținutul Dunării, but it was re-established in 1940 after the fall of ...
(Județul Covurlui).
From 1938 to 1945 Galați was part of
Ținutul Dunării (Megacounty Dunării).
2010 Romanian floods
During July 2010, the
River Siret threatened to break through the
dykes protecting the town of
Șendreni
Șendreni is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania with a population of 3,102 people. It is composed of three villages: Movileni, Șendreni and Șerbeștii Vechi.
2010 floods
During July 2010, the River Siret threatened to brea ...
, as locals and
emergency services
Emergency services and rescue services are organizations that ensure public safety and health by addressing and resolving different emergencies. Some of these agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies, while others deal wit ...
reinforced the dykes with sandbags trucks full of earth to prevent the river breaking out and flooding the town.
Demographics
In 2011, it had a population of 536,167 and the population density was 120/km
2.
*
Romanians
The Romanians ( ro, români, ; dated exonym ''Vlachs'') are a Romance languages, Romance-speaking ethnic group. Sharing a common Culture of Romania, Romanian culture and Cultural heritage, ancestry, and speaking the Romanian language, they l ...
– over 98%
*
Russians
, native_name_lang = ru
, image =
, caption =
, population =
, popplace =
118 million Russians in the Russian Federation (2002 ''Winkler Prins'' estimate)
, region1 =
, pop1 ...
,
Ukrainians
Ukrainians ( uk, Українці, Ukraintsi, ) are an East Slavs, East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine. They are the seventh-largest nation in Europe. The native language of the Ukrainians is Ukrainian language, Ukrainian. The majority ...
, and
Romani
Romani may refer to:
Ethnicities
* Romani people, an ethnic group of Northern Indian origin, living dispersed in Europe, the Americas and Asia
** Romani genocide, under Nazi rule
* Romani language, any of several Indo-Aryan languages of the Roma ...
– 2%
Geography
This county has a total area of 4,466 km
2.
The county lies on a low plain, between the
Prut River
The Prut (also spelled in English as Pruth; , uk, Прут) is a long river in Eastern Europe. It is a left tributary of the Danube. In part of its course it forms Romania's border with Moldova and Ukraine.
Characteristics
The Prut originates ...
in the East, the
Siret River
The Siret or Sireth ( uk, Сірет or Серет, ro, Siret , hu, Szeret, russian: Сирет) is a river that rises from the Carpathians in the Northern Bukovina region of Ukraine, and flows southward into Romania before it joins the Danube. ...
in the West and South-West. They both flow into the
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
which forms the border with
Tulcea County
Tulcea County () is a county ( județ) of Romania, in the historical region Dobruja, with the capital city at Tulcea. It includes in its northeast corner the large and thinly-populated estuary of the Danube.
Demographics
In 2011, Tulcea Co ...
in the South-East.
Neighbours
*
Republic of Moldova
A republic () is a " state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th ...
in the East –
Cahul raion.
*
Vrancea County
Vrancea () is a county ( județ) in Romania, with its seat at Focșani. It is mostly in the historical region of Moldavia but the southern part, below the Milcov River, is in Muntenia.
Demographics
In 2011, it had a population of 340,310 and ...
in the West.
*
Vaslui County
Vaslui County () is a county ( județ) of Romania, in the historical region Western Moldavia, with the seat at Vaslui.
Demographics
In 2011, it had a population of 395,499 and the population density was 74/km².
* Romanians - over 98%
* Rom ...
in the North.
*
Brăila County
Brăila County () is a county (județ) of Romania, in Muntenia, with the capital city at Brăila.
Demographics
In 2011, Brăila had a population of 304,925 and the population density was 64/km2.
* Romanians – 98%
* Romani, Russians, Lipo ...
and
Tulcea County
Tulcea County () is a county ( județ) of Romania, in the historical region Dobruja, with the capital city at Tulcea. It includes in its northeast corner the large and thinly-populated estuary of the Danube.
Demographics
In 2011, Tulcea Co ...
in the South.
Economy
Due to the relief, the majority of the population in the rural areas work in agriculture. Fishing is another profitable occupation along the
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
and the
Siret River
The Siret or Sireth ( uk, Сірет or Серет, ro, Siret , hu, Szeret, russian: Сирет) is a river that rises from the Carpathians in the Northern Bukovina region of Ukraine, and flows southward into Romania before it joins the Danube. ...
.
Galați
Galați (, , ; also known by other alternative names) is the capital city of Galați County in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most par ...
is Romania's second harbour after
Constanța
Constanța (, ; ; rup, Custantsa; bg, Кюстенджа, Kyustendzha, or bg, Констанца, Konstantsa, label=none; el, Κωνστάντζα, Kōnstántza, or el, Κωνστάντια, Kōnstántia, label=none; tr, Köstence), histo ...
, the navigable channel on the
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
allowing the passage of large ships. In
Galați
Galați (, , ; also known by other alternative names) is the capital city of Galați County in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most par ...
there exist the biggest metallurgical complex in Romania – the Mittal-Sidex Complex. Also the second biggest shipyard can be found also at
Galați
Galați (, , ; also known by other alternative names) is the capital city of Galați County in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most par ...
allowing ships up to 55,000 tdw to be built.
The predominant industries in the county are:
* Metallurgy – 55% of Romania's steel production.
* Food industry.
* Textile industry.
* Ship building industry.
The county of Galați is also an important transport hub.
Tourism
The main tourist destinations are:
* The larger town of
Galați
Galați (, , ; also known by other alternative names) is the capital city of Galați County in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most par ...
;
* Lake Brateș;
* The small town of
Tecuci
Tecuci () is a municipiu, city in Galați County, Romania, in the historical region of Western Moldavia. It is situated among wooded hills, on the right bank of the Bârlad River, and at the junction of railways from Galați, Bârlad, and Mără ...
.
Politics
The Galați County Council, renewed at the
2020 local elections, consists of 34 counsellors, with the following party composition:
Administrative divisions
![Fosta_prefectura_judet_Tecuci](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Fosta_prefectura_judet_Tecuci.JPG)
Galați County has 2 municipalities, 2 towns and 61 communes
*Municipalities
**
Galați
Galați (, , ; also known by other alternative names) is the capital city of Galați County in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most par ...
– capital city; population: 249,432 (as of 2011)
**
Tecuci
Tecuci () is a municipiu, city in Galați County, Romania, in the historical region of Western Moldavia. It is situated among wooded hills, on the right bank of the Bârlad River, and at the junction of railways from Galați, Bârlad, and Mără ...
*Towns
**
Berești
**
Târgu Bujor
Târgu Bujor is a town in Galați County, Romania. It administers two villages, Moscu and Umbrărești. It is situated in the historical region of Western Moldavia.
Natives
* Iulian-Gabriel Bîrsan (1956–2022), engineer and politician
*Eremia Gr ...
*Communes
**
Bălăbănești
**
Bălășești
**
Băleni
**
Băneasa
**
Barcea
**
Berești-Meria
Berești-Meria is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the nor ...
**
Brăhășești
**
Braniștea
**
Buciumeni
**
Cavadinești
Cavadinești is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north ...
**
Cerțești
**
Corni
**
Corod
**
Cosmești
**
Costache Negri
Costache Negri (May 14, 1812 – September 28, 1876) was a Moldavian, later Romanian writer, politician, and revolutionary.
Born in Iași, he was the son of ''vistiernic'' (treasurer) Petrache Negre. The scion of a boyar family, he was educate ...
**
Cuca
**
Cudalbi
**
Cuza Vodă
**
Drăgănești
**
Drăgușeni
**
Fârțănești
Fârțănești is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It ...
**
Foltești
Foltești is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, H ...
**
Frumușița
Frumușița is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, ...
**
Fundeni
**
Ghidigeni
**
Gohor
**
Grivița
Grivița () is a district of Bucharest, Romania, centered on the Grivița Railway Yards (''Atelierele CFR Grivița''), which were and still are an important landmark within the manufacturing landscape of the city. Located near Gara de Nord, thei ...
**
Independența
**
Ivești
**
Jorăști
Jorăști is a Commune in Romania, commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania with a population of 1,929 people. It is composed of three villages: Lunca, Jorăști and Zărnești.
Natives
*Ioan Gheorghe Savin
References
{{DEFAU ...
**
Liești
Liești is the third-largest commune of Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania on the confluence of the Siret and Bârlad rivers, very close to Tecuci (28 km) and Galați (52 km). It is composed of two villages, Liești and Șerbăn ...
**
Măstăcani
**
Matca
Matca is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hunga ...
**
Movileni
**
Munteni
**
Nămoloasa
Nămoloasa is a commune in Galați County, in the Western Moldavia region of Romania. It is composed of three villages: Crângeni, Nămoloasa, and Nămoloasa-Sat.
The commune is located in the south-west of the county, on the border with Brăila ...
**
Negrilești
**
Nicorești
Nicorești is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, ...
**
Oancea
Oancea is a Commune in Romania, commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania with a population of 1,546 people. It is composed of two villages, Oancea and Slobozia Oancea.
It is also a List of Moldova–Romania border crossings, border c ...
**
Pechea
**
Piscu
Piscu is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hung ...
**
Poiana
**
Priponești
**
Rădești
**
Rediu
**
Scânteiești
Scânteiești is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the nort ...
**
Schela
**
Șendreni
Șendreni is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania with a population of 3,102 people. It is composed of three villages: Movileni, Șendreni and Șerbeștii Vechi.
2010 floods
During July 2010, the River Siret threatened to brea ...
**
Slobozia Conachi
**
Smârdan
**
Smulți
**
Suceveni
Suceveni is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania with a population of 1,819 people. It is composed of two villages, Rogojeni and Suceveni.
Natives
* Spiridon Popescu
Spiridon Popescu (August 13, 1864 – May 8, 1933) was a ...
**
Suhurlui
**
Țepu
**
Tudor Vladimirescu
Tudor Vladimirescu (; c. 1780 – ) was a Romanian revolutionary hero, the leader of the Wallachian uprising of 1821 and of the Pandur militia. He is also known as Tudor din Vladimiri (''Tudor from Vladimiri'') or, occasionally, as Domnul Tudo ...
**
Tulucești
**
Umbrărești
**
Valea Mărului
**
Vânători
**
Vârlezi
Vârlezi is a commune in Galați County, Western Moldavia, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It border ...
**
Vlădești
See also
*
Administrative divisions of Romania
Romania's administration is relatively centralized and administrative subdivisions are therefore fairly simplified.
According to the Constitution of Romania, its territory is organized administratively into communes, cities and counties:
* At ...
*
2010 Romanian floods
References
External links
"Consiliul Județului Galați"County administration webpage in Romanian
"Galați Online" Viitorul portal gălățean
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galati County
Counties of Romania
Geography of Western Moldavia
1968 establishments in Romania
States and territories established in 1968