Founded 1804 Area 8.5 km² Population 6,980 (2013) | Climate Dfa Local time Thursday 1:42 AM | |
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Country
Oblast
Raion Ukraine
Zaporizhia Oblast
Tokmak Raion Weather 4°C, Wind NW at 5 km/h, 85% Humidity | ||
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. Molochna River flows through the city. Population: 6,980 (2013 est.).
Map of Molochans'k, Zaporizka, Ukraine
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.