SUCEAVA

city, capital of Suceava judet (county), northeastern Romania. Founded on a terrace above the right bank of the Suceava River before the 14th century, it was the capital of Moldavia from 1375 until 1565, when the capital was moved to Iasi. During the reign of Stephen (Stefan) the Great in the 15th century, Suceava developed as a trading centre and customs point, with many warehouses and a strong citadel. The town began to decline in importance after the Turks ravaged it in the 16th century. In 1775 the Turks ceded Suceava to Austria along with the rest of the Bukovina region, and in 1918 the city was reoccupied by Romania. The city's historic monuments include the citadel, which has been excavated; the 14th-century Mirauti Church; the 16th-century Church of St. George (with fine frescoes); and the Church of St. Demetrius (with a massive bell tower). The city has a regional museum and library. Suceava's industries include meat processing, timber, and pulp and paper manufacture. Pop. (1992 prelim.) 114,355. judet (county), northeastern Romania, and bounded on the north by Ukraine. The Eastern Carpathian Mountains and the sub-Carpathians occupy the western two-thirds of the county, and the Suceava Plateau lies in the east. The Siret River flows southeastward, marking the county's eastern border, and the Suceava and Bistrita rivers also drain southeastward. Suceava (q.v.) city is the county capital. Industries in Suceava city and in other towns produce timber, textiles, leather goods, and foodstuffs. Agricultural activities consist of livestock raising and cereal growing. Towns in the county include Falticeni, Siret, Radauti, and Cmpulung Moldovenesc. Several monasteries with frescoed exteriors are found in the area. Area 3,303 square miles (8,555 square km). Pop. (1992 prelim.) 700,800.