Galaţi

Galaţi or Galatz, city in eastern Romania, capital of Galaţi Region, a port on the River Danube. The city is built on a slight rise in the marshlands formed by the nearby Siret and Prut rivers, both part of the huge Danube estuary. Its industries include sawmills, flour mills, petroleum refineries, steelworks, and the country’s largest shipyard; rope is also manufactured here, and the city houses large warehouses and grain elevators. The city is also a principal port of entry for textiles and metal goods. The principal exports are cereals, cattle, and timber. Educational facilities include the University of Galaţi (founded 1948; awarded university status in 1974) and a teacher training institute. Population 298,861 (2002).