Transnistria is a small de facto independent republic in Moldova, bordering Ukraine and Moldova. It has a rich history of different ethnic groups and was part of the Russian Empire and Moldavian SSR. In 1990, it declared itself distinct from Moldova, leading to a small-scale civil war. Although officially part of Moldova, Transnistria operates as an independent nation. Visitors are advised to stay away due to the ongoing conflict.
Transnistria is a small de facto independent republic in the nation of Moldova. The region covers 1,600 square miles (4,160 square km). The region borders the rest of Moldova and Ukraine. It is bordered on one side by the Dniester River.
Transnistria has been inhabited for millennia. In the 5th century BC the Greeks settled in parts of the area and were then supplanted by the Romans in the 1st century. When the Goths overran much of the Roman Empire, they took control of Transnistria, establishing both banks of the Dniester River.
In the following centuries the region was home to different ethnic groups, from southern and eastern Slavs, Romanians, Cumans and Turks. In the 11th century the Rus’ took control of Transnistria and it was eventually integrated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Duchy later lost most of the south to the Ottomans in the early 16th century, but kept the northern part of the region.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Moldavia in the west expanded its territory and formed the basis of a new state. The territory continued to expand eastward until it reached the Dniester, which for some time served as the extreme border, leaving Transnistria apart. Although Moldova made some inroads into Transnistria in the late 16th century, it never fully occupied the territory.
In the late 18th century Transnistria became part of the Russian Empire and a massive settlement campaign began. Russia has particularly pushed the settlement of ethnic Romanians in Transnistria, which has rapidly become an important sector of the population. After the October Revolution in Russia, the Ukrainian SSR was formed, which had claimed control over the Transnistria region.
In the 1940s, the Moldavian SSR was formed, incorporating the territory conquered from Romania and most of Transnistria, ceded to the Ukrainian SSR. During the Soviet period Transnistria was the most developed part of Moldova where most of the industrial development took place.
In 1990 the Pridnestrovian Moldovan SSR, essentially Transnistria, declared itself distinct from Moldova as a whole. This was overruled by the Soviet government, which declared independence null and void. A small-scale civil war broke out between the separatists and the government of Moldova and continued for a few months before a ceasefire was negotiated in 1992. After the ceasefire, Transnistria officially remained part of Moldova, however the region is effectively an independent nation operating within Moldova.
Moldova is a beautiful country and the Transnistria region is no exception. The land along the Dniester is scenic and green, and the people are generally friendly and open. Due to the ongoing conflict between Transistria and the government of Moldova, however, most visitors are advised to stay away from this volatile region.
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