# Vulcănești

> city in Moldova

**Wikidata**: [Q1012868](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1012868)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcănești)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vulcanesti

## Summary
Vulcănești is a city in Moldova that currently serves as the capital of Vulcănești District and is geographically located within the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia. It has a documented history dating back to an earliest written record in 1605 and has undergone various changes in sovereignty, transitioning from the Ottoman Empire to the Russian Empire, Romania, the Soviet Union, and finally independent Moldova. As of the 2024 census, the city has a population of 10,919 inhabitants.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Vulcănești is a large human settlement classified as a city.
- **Location:** It is located in Gagauzia (starting August 31, 1995) and is the capital of Vulcănești District.
- **Coordinates:** The city's geographic coordinates are 45.684166666667 latitude and 28.402777777778 longitude.
- **Population:** The total population was 10,919 as of April 8, 2024 (preferred value), comprising 4,991 males and 5,928 females. A previous census in 2014 recorded a population of 12,185.
- **Administrative Codes:** The postal code is MD-5301, the local dialing code is 293, and the licence plate code is GE.
- **Official Names:** The city is officially known by the names "Valkaneş" and "Vulcănești."
- **History:** The earliest written record of the city dates to April 12, 1605.
- **International IDs:** It has a GND ID of 7738226-2, a VIAF ID of 158372545, and a Geonames ID of 617096.
- **Online Presence:** The official website is http://www.vulcanestimd.com/, and the city is represented across 36 Wikipedia language editions.

## FAQs
**What is the current population and demographic breakdown of Vulcănești?**
According to the 2024 census, Vulcănești has a population of 10,919 people. This figure includes 4,991 males and 5,928 females, whereas the 2014 census recorded a higher population of 12,185.

**Where is Vulcănești located and what administrative region does it belong to?**
Vulcănești is situated in Gagauzia, an autonomous territorial unit in Moldova, a status it has held since August 31, 1995. Prior to that date, it was located in Vulcănești District, and it serves as the capital of that district.

**What countries have historically governed Vulcănești?**
The city has been part of numerous states throughout its history, including the Ottoman Empire (until 1812), the Russian Empire (1812–1859 and 1879–1917), the Principality of Moldavia (1856–1859), the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (1859–1879), the Kingdom of Romania (1918–1940 and 1941–1944), the Soviet Union (1940–1941 and 1944–1991), and the Moldovan Democratic Republic (1917–1918).

**What are the identifying codes and aliases used for Vulcănești?**
Besides its official names Valkaneş and Vulcănești, the city is known by aliases such as Vulkanesti, Vulcanesti, Vulcăneşti, Вульчанешты, Вулкэнешть, and Вулкенешть. Its administrative identifiers include the postal code MD-5301, the licence plate code GE, and the dialing code 293.

## Why It Matters
Vulcănești holds significance as an administrative center within the autonomous region of Gagauzia in Moldova, serving as the capital of Vulcănești District. Its long history, first recorded in 1605, reflects the complex geopolitical shifts in Eastern Europe, having survived changes in rule from the Ottoman Empire to the Soviet Union before becoming part of modern Moldova. The city maintains a distinct cultural identity, evidenced by its dual official names (Valkaneş and Vulcănești) and its specific presence in international academic and geographic databases. It acts as a vital municipal hub for its population, providing essential services and governance structures as indicated by its detailed census data and administrative codes.

## Notable For
- **Historical Longevity:** The city's earliest written record dates back to April 12, 1605.
- **Geopolitical Transition:** It has changed sovereign hands multiple times, including transitions between the Russian Empire, Kingdom of Romania, and Soviet Union within short periods during the 20th century.
- **Administrative Reorganization:** It underwent a significant administrative shift in 1995 when its location status changed from Vulcănești District to Gagauzia.
- **Landmark:** The city features an obelisk dedicated to Count Semen Vorontsov (Obeliscul Contelui Semen Voronțov).
- **Data Presence:** The entity has a high degree of documentation, appearing in 36 Wikipedia languages and holding numerous identifiers across library and geographic congress systems.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Vulcănești is defined as a large human settlement classified as a city. Geographically, it is positioned at coordinates 45.684166666667° N and 28.402777777778° E. Administratively, the city serves as the capital of Vulcănești District. In terms of regional location, the city was previously located within Vulcănești District until August 31, 1995, after which it was recorded as being located in the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia.

The city utilizes several specific administrative codes:
*   **Postal Code:** MD-5301
*   **Licence Plate Code:** GE
*   **Local Dialing Code:** 293
*   **CUATM Statistical Code:** 9603000
*   **CUATM Unique Identification Code:** 9603

### Demographics
Detailed demographic data is available for Vulcănești, primarily derived from census records.
*   **2024 Census:** The preferred data records a total population of 10,919 as of April 8, 2024. This total is broken down into 4,991 males and 5,928 females.
*   **2014 Census:** An earlier census recorded a higher population of 12,185.

### History and Sovereignty
The history of Vulcănești is marked by a succession of governing bodies, with the earliest written record of the city dating to April 12, 1605. The timeline of sovereign control includes:
*   **Ottoman Empire:** Until 1812.
*   **Russian Empire:** Two distinct periods, from 1812 to 1859 and again from 1879 to 1917.
*   **Principality of Moldavia:** From 1856 to 1859.
*   **United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia:** From 1859 to 1879.
*   **Russian Republic:** From February 1917 to November 1917.
*   **Moldavian Democratic Republic:** From December 2, 1917, to March 27, 1918.
*   **Kingdom of Romania:** From 1918 to 1940 and again from 1941 to 1944.
*   **Soviet Union:** From 1940 to 1941 and from 1944 to 1991.
*   **Moldova:** Starting August 27, 1991, and continuing to the present.

### Identity and Naming
Vulcănești is recognized by multiple names and aliases, reflecting its multicultural history.
*   **Native and Official Names:** "Valkaneş" and "Vulcănești."
*   **Aliases:** The city is also referred to as Вульчанешты, Vulcăneşti, Vulkanesti, Vulcanesti, Вулкэнешть, and Вулкенешть.
*   **Visual Identity:** The city possesses a coat of arms represented by the image file `Valkaneş gerbı.gif`.

### External References and Database Identifiers
Vulcănești is cataloged in numerous international databases and knowledge bases:
*   **Library & Academic IDs:** GND ID (7738226-2), Library of Congress Authority ID (n87883706), National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007562426705171), VIAF ID (158372545), and SNARC ID (Zalla).
*   ** Geographic IDs:** GeoNames ID (617096), GNS Unique Feature ID (-2277616), Who's On First ID (101856817), OpenWeatherMap City ID (617096), and Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID (1061413).
*   **Web & Tech IDs:** Freebase ID (/m/06w3w29) and FactGrid item ID (Alexander Razborov).
*   **Categories:** The city is associated with categories such as Q124916426 (Topic's main category), Q8049855 (Category for people born here), and "Category:People of Vulcănești."

### Media and Online Presence
The city maintains an official website at http://www.vulcanestimd.com/. On Wikimedia platforms, it has a dedicated Commons category and a Wikipedia page titled "Vulcănești." The city's Wikipedia entry is translated into 36 languages, including English, Russian, Romanian, Gagauz, and others. A notable image associated with the city is "Obeliscul Contelui Semen Voronțov" (Obelisk of Count Semen Vorontsov), located at Wikimedia Commons file path `Vulcanesti_-_Obeliscul_Contelui_Semen_Voronțov.jpg`.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults?doc_id=65442&lang=ro)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. 2014 Moldovan census
5. 2024 Moldovan census. 2025
6. Q113255704
7. GeoNames
8. CUATM