# Fălești

> city in Moldova, seat of Fălești District

**Wikidata**: [Q2078085](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2078085)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fălești)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/falesti

## Summary
Fălești is a city in Moldova and the administrative seat of Fălești District. It is a significant urban settlement with a documented history dating back to the late 18th century and has been part of various states throughout its history, including the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Romania, the Soviet Union, and modern Moldova.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Fălești
- **Location:** Coordinates: 47.573611111111° N, 27.709166666667° E
- **Country:** Moldova (since 1991)
- **Administrative Role:** Capital of Fălești District (since 2001); previously capital from 1940 to 1998.
- **Population:** 11,946 (2024 census), consisting of 5,484 males and 6,462 females.
- **Historical Populations:** 12,074 (2014 census); 14,931 (2004 census).
- **Area:** 21.5414 square kilometres.
- **Instance of:** City (since 1935).
- **Postal Code:** MD-5900.
- **Local Dialing Code:** 373-259, 373‑359.
- **Earliest Written Record:** May 10, 1793.
- **Located next to:** Șovățul de Jos body of water.
- **Flag Image:** `Falesti_Drapel.png`
- **Coat of Arms Image:** `Stema_Fălești.png`
- **City Hall Image:** `Primăria_Fălești.JPG` (also known as Fălești City Hall).
- **Official Website:** http://falesti.md
- **Twin Towns:** Botoșani, Romania (since 1995); Hertsa, Ukraine; Kurchatov, Russia (since 2012).
- **Statistical Codes:** CUATM code: 4301000; Unique Identification Code: 4301.
- **Aliases:** Făleşti, Faleshti, Foleshty, Falesht', Feleshti, Faleshty, Falesti, Faleschti, Фэлешть.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative significance of Fălești?**
Fălești serves as the capital city of Fălești District in Moldova. It has held this role in two distinct periods: from 1940 to 1998 and again from 2001 to the present.

**What is the demographic makeup of Fălești?**
According to the most recent 2024 census, Fălești has a population of 11,946 people. The population is composed of 5,484 males and 6,462 females.

**Which countries has Fălești been a part of throughout history?**
Fălești has a complex geopolitical history. It was part of the Principality of Moldavia until 1812, then the Russian Empire (1812-1917), the Moldavian Democratic Republic (1917-1918), the Kingdom of Romania (1918-1940; 1941-1944), the Soviet Union (1940-1941; 1944-1991), and finally the independent Republic of Moldova since 1991.

## Why It Matters
Fălești matters as a key administrative and population center in northern Moldova. Its long history, reflected in the succession of states it has belonged to, makes it a microcosm of the broader regional history of Bessarabia. As the seat of Fălești District, it plays a crucial role in the governance and economic life of the surrounding area. Its international twinning agreements foster cultural and diplomatic ties with other cities.

## Notable For
- Serving as the district capital across different political eras, including the Kingdom of Romania and the Soviet Union.
- Its earliest documented mention dates to a specific day: May 10, 1793.
- Having a detailed historical record of its administrative jurisdiction changes, from the Beletsky Uyezd in the Russian Empire to the modern Fălești District.
- Being twinned with municipalities in three different countries: Romania, Ukraine, and Russia.

## Body

### Historical Jurisdiction
The city of Fălești has been located within various administrative territories over the centuries, reflecting the region's changing political landscape.
- **Pre-1812:** Part of the Principality of Moldavia and located in the region of Iași until 1828.
- **Russian Empire (1812-1918):** Located within the Beletsky Uyezd from 1812 to 1918, and served as its capital from 1812 to 1818.
- **Interwar Period (1918-1940):** Part of the Kingdom of Romania within Bălți County. It was also the capital of an administrative unit identified as Q18540116 from 1918 to 1944.
- **World War II Era (1940-1944):** Incorporated into the Soviet Union as part of the Moldavian SSR and served as the capital of Fălești District from 1940 to 1944. This was interrupted by a return to Romanian administration from 1941 to 1944.
- **Post-War Soviet Era (1944-1991):** Again part of the Soviet Union and capital of Fălești District from 1944 to 1998.
- **Modern Moldova (1991-Present):** After Moldovan independence in 1991, it was part of Bălți County from 1998 to 2001. Since 2001, it has been the capital of the re-established Fălești District.

### Geography and Demographics
Fălești is situated on a land area of 21.54 square kilometers near the water body Șovățul de Jos. Census data shows population fluctuations over recent decades, with a peak of 14,931 residents in 2004 and a current population of 11,946 as of April 2024, with a higher proportion of female residents.

### Official Symbols and Infrastructure
The city is represented by official symbols, including a flag (`Falesti_Drapel.png`) and a coat of arms (`Stema_Fălești.png`). Its primary administrative building is the City Hall (`Primăria_Fălești.JPG`). The city maintains an official website at `falesti.md`.

### International Relations
Fălești is engaged in international cooperation through twinning agreements with three cities:
- Botoșani, Romania (since 1995)
- Hertsa, Ukraine
- Kurchatov, Russia (since 2012)

### External Identifiers
The city is cataloged in numerous national and international databases, ensuring its unique identification across systems.
- **Library Identifiers:** Library of Congress Authority ID (`n88181987`), National Library of Israel ID (`987007564930705171` and old ID `001021037`).
- **Geographic Databases:** GeoNames ID (`618344`), GNS Unique Feature ID (`-2276308`), WHO's on First ID (`101859083`).
- **Academic/Documentary Identifiers:** FAST ID (`1250805`), VIAF ID (`129114457`), Freebase ID (`/m/06wc9jm`), JewishGen Locality ID (`2276308`).
- **Other:** OpenWeatherMap City ID (`618344`), Quora Topic ID (`Falesti`).

### Documentary Sources
Fălești has been described in several notable historical encyclopedic sources:
- Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

### Online Presence
The entity has a presence across Wikimedia projects, with a Commons category (`Fălești`) and Wikipedia articles in over 30 languages, including Arabic, Russian, English, Romanian, and Chinese. Its Wikidata description summarizes it as a "city in Moldova, seat of Fălești District."

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. 2014 Moldovan census
3. 2024 Moldovan census. 2025
4. [Primele atestări documentare ale localităților Balatina, Cernoleuca, Cigârleni, Fălești, Răzeni și Ţăhnăuţi](https://ibn.idsi.md/sites/default/files/imag_file/Primele%20atestari%20documentare%20ale%20localitatilor%20Balatina%2C%20Cernoleuca%2C%20Cigarleni%2C%20Falesti%2C%20Razeni%20si%20Tahnauti.pdf)
5. GeoNames
6. Quora
7. CUATM