Gagauzia (or Gagauz-Yeri) is an autonomous region within Moldova, located along the southern border with Ukraine, inhabited by the Gagauz, a Turkic people who are ethnically and culturally distinct from other Moldovans. The population is approximately 169,000, of which about 82.5 percent are ethnic Gagauz. Comrat is the largest city, with over 40 percent of the region's total population (approx. 75,000).
| Key points in Gagauz history
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| 1812
| The Gagauz settled in southern Bessarabia after Russiaīs annexation of Bessarabia.
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| 1856
| Territorial changes in the region put part of Gagauzia under Moldavian administration (Romanian administration after 1859, when Moldavia united with Wallachia).
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| 1878
| Russia regains the areas lost in 1856.
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| 1944
| Stalin sends thousands of Gagauzes to labor camps
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| World War II
| The territory of Gagauzia was divided between the Moldovian SSR and the Ukraine.
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| 1946 - 1947
| Severe famine - one half of the Gagauz population perishes
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| 1980
| The Gagauz campaign for self-determination began.
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| 1989
| A Law on Languages was enacted in Moldova, which was perceived as discriminatory by the Gagauz.
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| 1990
| An independent Republic of Gagauzia was proclaimed in several southern districts of Moldova.
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| 1994
| Gagauz Yeri became an autonomous region within Moldova.
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| 1995
| The elections for the National Assembly of the Region of Gagauzia were conducted. An end to the five-year conflict between Moldova and Gagauzia was officially declared.
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