Comrat

Comrat (Comrat, komˈrat; Komrat, Комрат) is a city and municipality in Moldova and the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia. It is located in the south of the country, on the Ialpug River. In 2014, Comrat's population was 20,113, of which the vast majority are Gagauzians. Comrat was first settled as early as 1443, with other sources claiming it was founded in 1789. Nevertheless, the settlement was sparsely populated until the new Russian government issued a decree in 1819 to resettle the region with Bulgarians and other nationalities from across the Danube. In 1906, the village revolted against the Russian authorities and proclaimed the autonomous (but not independent) Comrat Republic. The village received town privileges in 1952. During the time when the town was part of Moldavian SSR, Comrat's industry was geared toward the production of butter, wine, and rugs, the latter decorated with Moldavian motifs. The Comrat State University was established in 2002. 1989: 25,800 (official census) 1991: 27,500 (estimate) 1996: 27,400 (estimate) 2004: 23,429 (official census) 2006: 22,369 (estimate) 2011: 24,135 (estimate) 2014: 20,113 (official census) Comrat is situated in the southern wine zone of Moldova. It is known for production of red wine and muscat. In Comrat and its suburbs there are about 10 wineries. Food production is very developed in the city. Comrat is a home for food processing factories, alcohol production, and an oil processing plant (the first and only one in Moldova). There is also such economic agents as a ferro-concrete factory, furniture productions, wood processing, production of plastic windows and doors, cattle butcheries, and transport companies. Comrat Wines - the oldest winery located in the south of Republic of Moldova. Aur-Vin is a Moldovan wine producer from Comrat. This factory takes part of the Moldovan wine producer Dionis Club. Football clubs, FC Olimp Comrat and Univer-Oguzsport are based in Comrat.