Dobrogea

Dobrogea (or Dobruja) is the territory between the Danube and the Black Sea, which includes the Danube Delta and the Romanian sea-shore.

History

This land was inhabited since ancient times by Dacians. In the 7th and 6th century BC several Greek colonies were founded here including Tomis, Histria[?], Callatis[?], Dionysopolis[?] and Olbia to facilitate trade with locals.

The area was controled by the Scythians in the 5th century BC and then, in the 1st century BC, by the Romans as part of Moesiain[?]. The territory was included in the Byzantine Empire and, after 1411, in the Ottoman Empire.

It remained under Turkish rule until 1878, when it was unified with Romania. During WWII, Southern Dobrogea was occupied by Bulgaria.

Population

Major cities are Constanta[?], Mangalia[?] and Tulcea[?].