Bolhrad (Ukrainian: Болград, romanized: Bolhrad, pronounced [boɫˈɦrɑd]; Bulgarian: Болград, romanized: Bolgrad; Romanian: Bolgrad, Gagauz: Bolgrad) is a small cityinOdesa Oblast (province) of southwestern Ukraine, in the historical region of Budjak. It is the administrative centerofBolhrad Raion (district) and hosts the administration of Bolhrad urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.[1] Population: 14,818 (2022 estimate).[2]
Bolhrad
Болград
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Transfiguration Cathedral
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Flag 
Coat of arms | |
  Bolhrad Show map of Ukraine  Bolhrad Show map of Odesa Oblast | |
| Coordinates: 45°40′2″N 28°36′46″E / 45.66722°N 28.61278°E / 45.66722; 28.61278 | |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Oblast | Odesa Oblast |
| Raion | Bolhrad Raion |
| Hromada | Bolhrad urban hromada |
| Founded | 1821 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 94 km2 (36 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 14,818 |
| • Density | 160/km2 (410/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postcode district(s) |
68700—706
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| Area code | +380-4846 |
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Russian Empire (Bessarabia) 1821–1856
Principality of Moldavia 1856–1859
Romania 1859–1878
Moldavian Democratic Republic 1917–1918
Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR) 1940–1941
Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR) 1944–1991
Ukraine 1991–present
Bolhrad was founded in 1821 by Bulgarian settlers in Bessarabia, under the direction of General Ivan Inzov who is "revered" by Bolhrad residents as the "Founder of Our City."[3] Bolhrad became part of Moldavia from 1856 to 1859, Romania from 1859 to 1878, 1918 to 1940, and 1941 to 1944, before being incorporated into the USSR (in the territory of the Ukrainian SSR), and later independent Ukraine. In 1921, there was a terrorist attack on a palace in the city.[4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 12,300 | — |
| 1930 | 14,280 | +16.1% |
| 1941 | 10,713 | −25.0% |
| 2001 | 17,353 | +62.0% |
| 2011 (est.) | 15,479 | −10.8% |
| Source: [5] | ||
The surrounding Bolhradsky district is predominantly populated by ethnic Bulgarians (a majority of 61%). Bolhrad itself is 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.[citation needed]
In 1897, the ethnic make-up, by mother tongue, was 68.9% Bulgarian, 11.3% Russian, 9.7% Jewish, 5.0% Moldavian/Romanian, 2.5% Ukrainian, 1.0% Turkish, and 0.8% Polish.[5]
As of the 2001 Ukrainian census, Bulgarians still constitute the largest ethnic group in the city, accounting for almost half of the population. The second largest group are Ukrainians, closely followed by Russians. The towns also has a significant Moldovan and Gagauz population.[6][7]
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According to the 2001 census, there was no language spoken by the majority of the population, which was composed of speakers of Russian (48.7%), Bulgarian (32.65%), Ukrainian (13.92%), Gagauz (2%) and Romanian (1.15%).[8]
As of 1920, Bolhrad has had a coal industry.[9]
The Georgi Sava Rakovski Bolhrad High School founded in 1858 is the oldest high school of the Bulgarian National Revival.[10][11]
