Galatz

Galatz, or GALACZ, a river-port of Moldavia, the centre of the commerce of the Roumanian kingdom, is situated on the left bank of the Danube, 3 miles below the influx of the Sereth, and 85 from the Sulina mouth of the Danube, whilst by rail it is 166 NE. of Bucharest, and 259 SW. of Odessa. It occupies the slope of a hill overlooking the river, and is divided into an Old and New Town, the former consisting of irregularly built streets, the latter built more after the fashion of western Europe. Its dockyard, its large bazaar, its grain-stores, its magazines of oriental wares, and its banking establishments deserve notice. The chief objects of industry are iron, copper, wax candles, and soap. The exports consist of maize, wheat, wheat-flour, barley, rye, and timber. The imports include timber, grain, fish, fruits, oil, chemicals, iron, steel, and cotton goods. The town has been, since 1856, the seat of the International Danube Commission. The population, a medley of various nationalities, has risen from 36,000 in 1869 to 57,460 in 1895. Galatz has frequently been taken in the wars between the Russians and Turks since 1789. It ceased to be a free port in 1883.