Constanța

Constanța (UK: , US: ; Romanian: [konˈstantsa] ; Aromanian: Custantsa; Bulgarian: Кюстенджа, romanized: Kyustendzha, or Констанца, Konstantsa; Dobrujan Tatar: Köstencĭ; Greek: Κωνστάντζα, romanized: Kōnstántza, or Κωνστάντια, Kōnstántia; Turkish: Köstence), historically known as Tomis or Tomi (Ancient Greek: Τόμις or Τόμοι), is a port city in the Dobruja historical region of Romania. As the country's fourth largest city and principal port on the Black Sea coast, Constanța is the capital of Constanța County. It is also the oldest continuously inhabited city in the region, founded around 600 BC, and among the oldest in Europe. As of the 2021 census, Constanța has a population of 263,688. The Constanța metropolitan area includes 14 localities within 30 km (19 mi) of the city. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Romania. Ethnic Romanians became a majority in the city in the early 20th century. The city still has small Tatar and Greek communities, which were substantial in previous centuries, as well as Turkish and Romani residents, among others. Constanța has a rich multicultural heritage, as, throughout history, it has been part of different cultures, including Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Ottoman. Following the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), Constanța became part of Romania, and the city, which at the time had a population of just over 5.000 inhabitants, increased exponentially throughout the 20th century. The Port of Constanța has an area of 39.26 km2 (15.16 sq mi) and a length of about 30 km (19 mi). It is the largest port on the Black Sea, and one of the largest ports in Europe.