Principality of Moldavia

Moldavia (Romanian: Moldova, pronounced [molˈdova] or Țara Moldovei lit. 'The land of Moldova'; in Romanian Cyrillic: Мѡлдѡва or Цара Мѡлдѡвєй) is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River. An initially independent and later autonomous state under Ottoman overlordship, it existed from the 14th century to 1859, when it united with Wallachia (Țara Românească) as the basis of the modern Romanian state; at various times, Moldavia included the regions of Bessarabia (with the Budjak), all of Bukovina and Hertsa. It also included the region of Pokuttya for a period of time. The western half of Moldavia is now part of Romania, the eastern side belongs to the.