# Ungheni

> city in Moldova

**Wikidata**: [Q858713](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q858713)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ungheni)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ungheni

## Summary
Ungheni is a city and municipality located in the Republic of Moldova, situated on the border with Romania near the Prut River. It serves as the administrative capital of Ungheni District and is recognized as a significant border city, with a population of approximately 26,457 according to the 2024 census.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Ungheni District, Republic of Moldova; coordinates: 47.2042°N, 27.7958°E
- **Area**: 16.4 square kilometers
- **Elevation**: 62 meters above sea level
- **Population**: 26,457 (2024 census); 30,804 (2014 census)
- **Earliest Written Record**: April 20, 1462
- **Country Affiliation (Current)**: Moldova (since August 27, 1991)
- **Postal Code**: MD-3600
- **License Plate Code**: UN
- **Official Website**: http://www.ungheni.md
- **Administrative Status**: Capital of Ungheni District, municipality of Moldova, border city
- **Head of Government**: Vitalie Vrabie (Mayor, since 2023)
- **Historical Sovereignty**: Principality of Moldavia, Russian Empire, Russian Republic, Moldavian Democratic Republic, Kingdom of Romania, Soviet Union

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Ungheni?**
Ungheni's earliest recorded mention dates to April 20, 1462, during the era of the Principality of Moldavia. The city has been under the jurisdiction of numerous political entities, including the Russian Empire, Kingdom of Romania, and Soviet Union, before becoming part of independent Moldova in 1991.

**How has the population of Ungheni changed over time?**
The population has fluctuated significantly: from 1,779 in 1897 to a peak of 39,400 in 1991, decreasing to 26,457 by 2024. Census data shows steady growth during the Soviet era, followed by a decline post-independence.

**What are Ungheni's international connections?**
Ungheni is a border city adjacent to the Prut River and is twinned with over 20 cities globally, including Winston-Salem (USA), Konin (Poland), Iași and Cluj-Napoca (Romania), and Kutaisi (Georgia).

## Why It Matters
Ungheni is a strategically important Moldovan border city, serving as a critical transit point between Moldova and Romania across the Prut River. As the capital of Ungheni District, it functions as an administrative, economic, and cultural hub for the region. The city's extensive twinning network and border location underscore its role in fostering international cooperation and cross-border trade. Its documented history spanning over five centuries reflects the broader geopolitical shifts of Eastern Europe.

## Notable For
- One of Moldova's key border cities, located on the Prut River opposite Romania
- Administrative capital of Ungheni District
- Extensive twinning network with 21 cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East
- Documented history dating back to 1462
- Eiffel Bridge (referenced in page banner), a landmark structure
- Multiple historical sovereignties reflecting Eastern European geopolitical shifts

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Ungheni is located at coordinates 47.2042°N, 27.7958°E, covering an area of 16.4 square kilometers with an elevation of 62 meters above sea level. The city is situated on the banks of the Prut River, which forms the natural border between Moldova and Romania. According to the 2024 census, Ungheni has a population of 26,457, comprising 12,297 males and 14,160 females. Previous census data shows a population peak of 39,400 in 1991, with subsequent declines to 32,530 in 2004 and 30,804 in 2014.

### Historical Sovereignty
Ungheni has been under the jurisdiction of multiple political entities throughout its history:
- Principality of Moldavia (until May 16, 1812)
- Russian Empire (May 16, 1812 – March 2, 1917)
- Russian Republic (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1917)
- Moldavian Democratic Republic (December 2, 1917 – March 27, 1918)
- Kingdom of Romania (March 27, 1918 – June 28, 1940; July 2, 1941 – September 12, 1944)
- Soviet Union (June 28, 1940 – July 2, 1941; September 12, 1944 – August 27, 1991)
- Republic of Moldova (August 27, 1991 – present)

### Administrative History
Ungheni has served as the administrative center for various jurisdictions over time:
- Beletsky Uyezd (until December 2, 1917)
- Iași County (March 27, 1918 – June 28, 1940; July 2, 1941 – September 12, 1944)
- Ungheni District (September 12, 1944 – November 1998; February 2003 – present)
- Ungheni County (November 1998 – February 2003)
- Current status: Capital of Ungheni District, municipality of Moldova

### Governance
The office of the head of government in Ungheni is the Mayor of Ungheni. Alexandru Ambros held the position from 2007 to September 12, 2023. The current mayor is Vitalie Vrabie, who assumed office in 2023.

### International Relations
Ungheni maintains twinning agreements with 21 cities, fostering cultural, economic, and social cooperation:
- **Europe**: Reghin (Romania, 2006), Auce (Latvia, 2010), Dorohoi (Romania, 2015), Iași (Romania, 2016), Cluj-Napoca (Romania, 2016), Sector 5 (Bucharest, Romania, 2018), Kutaisi (Georgia, 2015), Tsqaltubo (Georgia, 2021), Konin (Poland, 2006), Joniškis (Lithuania, 2013), Andrézieux-Bouthéon (France, 2016), Cascais (Portugal, 2012)
- **North America**: Winston-Salem (USA, 2000), Mankato (USA, 2011)
- **Asia**: Nanchang (China, 2018), Daliyat al-Karmel (Israel, 2007), Ararat (Armenia, 2016)
- **Post-Soviet States**: Vasylkiv (Ukraine), Horishni Plavni (Ukraine, 2008), Novoselytsia (Ukraine, 2014), Dmitrovsk (Russia)

### Identifiers and Codes
Ungheni is identified by various national and international codes:
- Postal Code: MD-3600
- License Plate Code: UN
- CUATM Statistical Code: 9201000
- CUATM Unique Identification Code: 9201
- VIAF ID: 154840300
- FAST ID: 1234059
- GeoNames ID: 617180
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: 261076253
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n85208117
- GNS Unique Feature ID: -2277531
- MusicBrainz Area ID: b49f07c8-7fa5-4e48-9558-49f5b43270d9
- OpenWeatherMap City ID: 617180
- Who's On First ID: 101875057

### Sources and References
Ungheni is documented in several authoritative encyclopedic sources, including:
- Yuzhakov Big Encyclopedia
- Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

### Wikipedia and Wikimedia Presence
Ungheni has Wikipedia articles in 40 languages, including English, Romanian, Russian, French, German, and others. The city has a dedicated Commons category (Ungheni) and a Wikivoyage banner featuring the Eiffel Bridge. The topic's main category on Wikimedia Commons is "Category:Ungheni."

## References

1. Source
2. [Source](https://www.cascais.pt/sub-area/geminacoes-0)
3. [Source](https://www.cascais.pt/sub-area/ungheni)
4. [Source](http://www.kutaisi.gov.ge/kutaisi/4)
5. [Source](https://primariaclujnapoca.ro/cultura/oras-infratit/ungheni/)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. MusicBrainz
9. [Source](http://pop-stat.mashke.org/moldova-cities.htm)
10. 2014 Moldovan census
11. 2024 Moldovan census. 2025
12. [Documentele lui Ștefan cel Mare. Volumul I. Hrisoave și Cărți domnești (1457-1492). Socec & Co.. 1913](https://ro.scribd.com/document/79893833/Ioan-Bogdan-Documentele-lui-%C5%9Etefan-cel-Mare-Volumul-1-Hrisoave-%C5%9Fi-c%C4%83r%C5%A3i-domne%C5%9Fti-1457-1492#)
13. GeoNames
14. CUATM