Bolhrad

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The coat of arms of Bolhrad

Bolhrad or Bolgrad (Ukrainian: Болґрад Bolhrad; Bulgarian and Russian: Болград Bolgrad; Romanian: Bolgrad) is a small city in Odessa Oblast (province) of south-western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Bolhradsky Raion (district), and is located at around 45°40′N 28°32′E / 45.667, 28.533.

Currently, Bolhrad's population is estimated at around 17,400 (as of 2001).

[edit] History

Bolhrad was founded in 1821 by Bulgarian settlers under the direction of General Ivan Inzov, who is "revered" by Bolhrad residents as the "Founder of Our City."^[1] Bolhrad formed part of Moldavia from 1856 to 1859, Romania from 1859 to 1878, 1918 to 1940, and from 1941 to 1944, before being included in the territory of the Ukrainian SSR and later independent Ukraine.

The surrounding Bolhradsky district is predominantly populated by ethnic Bulgarians (a majority of 61%). Bolhrad is also inhabited by a large number of Bessarabian Bulgarians, and is considered by locals to be the unofficial capital of the Bessarabian historic district of Budjak.