Southern Bessarabia or South Bessarabia is a territory of Bessarabia which, as a result of the Crimean War, was returned to the Moldavian Principality in 1856. As a result of the unification of the latter with Wallachia, these lands became part of Romania. In 1878, despite opposition from Romania, the Berlin Treaty, which followed the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), transferred this region back to the Russian Empire (which reintegrated it into the Bessarabia Governorate). The transfer of the territory took place in October 1878. From 13 to 18 October, Russia took over Southern Bessarabia while the Romanian officials withdrew. Administrative divisions The area of the region was and covered 3 counties: Cahul County Bolgrad County Ismail County Gallery See also Romanian War of Independence Administrative divisions of Moldavia Administrative divisions of Romania References Ion Nistor, Istoria Basarabiei, edit. Humanitas, București, 1991 Modern history of Romania Bessarabia Moldavia