Molochansk

Molochansk
Молочанськ

German school in Molochansk
Country
Oblast
Raion		  Ukraine
Zaporizhia Oblast
Tokmak Raion
Founded 1804
Population (2013)
 • Total 6,980
Climate Dfa

Molochansk (Ukrainian: Молочанськ; Russian: Молочанск) is a city in Tokmak Raion of Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine. It is located at around 47°12′26″N 35°35′41″E / 47.20722°N 35.59472°E / 47.20722; 35.59472. Molochna River flows through the city. Population: 6,980 (2013 est.)[1].

Molochansk was founded in 1804 by Dutch and German Mennonite settlers who were invited by Catherine the Great (II) to settle on the vast steppes of the Tsar's Russian empire. They called the new village "Halbstadt". Due to the hostile national policies towards Germans in the 20th century Soviet Union, almost no native Germans are left in the region. During the Soviet rule, a large number of people lost all their possessions, and all Germans were relocated to the remote parts of Kazakhstan. In 2004 the 200th anniversary of Molochansk/Halbstadt was celebrated with worldwide distinguished guests in attendance. Canada's ambassador to Ukraine was present at this gala event.

Mennonites had earlier, in 1789, founded the Chortitza settlement at the invitation of Empress Catherine the Great. It was the successful founding of Chortitza that encouraged expansion into the Molochnaya River region. By 1850 there were over 50 Mennonite villages south and east of Molochansk/Halbstadt.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Чисельність наявного населення України (Actual population of Ukraine)" (in Ukrainian). State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Retrieved 21 January 2015.


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