Basarabeasca
Basarabeasca is a district in the extreme south of Moldova. It borders Ukraine to the east and south, the autonomous region of Gagauzia to the west and Cimislia to the north. The landscape of the area is determined by the lowlands around the Black Sea coast. Several river valleys are separated by ranges of low hills, where wine growing has centuries-long traditions. The whole region is rich with fertile land, which is used for extensive agriculture. However, the same time, forests are almost extinct, as is wildlife in its natural habitat. The district is widely known for its cultural and ethnical diversity. Apart from the Moldovans and Ukrainians, there are many ethnic Bulgarians and Germans who settled here in the beginning of the 19th Century. Their authentic villages are among the tourist attractions in Basarabeasca. The administrative centre with the same name is a fairly large provincial town, which came into being only 160 years ago as a Jewish colony.