as Weissenburg and Ir Lavan (both meaning "white city") as well as Akerman (אַקערמאַן). Karaite Jews lived there since the 16th century, some even claim the existence of Khazar Jews in the town as early as the 10th century. In 1897, 5,613 Jews lived in the city (19.9% of the total population). The town Jewish community was influenced mainly from the Jewish community of nearby Odessa. During a pogrom in 1905, eight Jews living in the city were killed. During World War II, most of the Jews living in the city fled to nearby Odessa, where they were later killed. The 800 Jews who were left in the city were shot to death in the nearby Leman River. Around 500 of the prewar town Jews survived the war, and around half of them returned to the city. Demographics As of 1920, the population was estimated at 35,000. 8,000 were Romanian, 8,000 were Jewish, and 5,000 were German. Additional populations included Turks, Greeks, Bulgarians and Russians. According to the 2001 Ukrainian census, the majority of the city's population are Ukrainians (63%). Other important communities include Russians (28%), Bulgarians (3.7%) and Moldovans/Romanians (1.9%). The language situation is notably different, with Russian-speakers representing a majority (54%), followed by speakers of Ukrainian (42%), Bulgarian (1.6%) and Romanian (1.3%). Climate Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb bordering on Dfa.). People from Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Nicolas Astrinidis (1921-2010), composer who settled in Greece Elena Cernei (1924–2000), Romanian opera singer Tamara Tchinarova (1919-2017), ballet dancer Vasyl Lomachenko (born 1988), Ukrainian professional boxer Jacques Roitfeld (1889–1999), French film producer Porfiriy Stamatov (1840–1925), Minister of Justice of Bulgaria (1881) Nicolae Văcăroiu (born 1943), former Prime Minister of Romania Osip Yermansky (1867-1941), Menshevik economist Gallery See also Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky Seaport Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi fortress Svitlana Bilyayeva - archaeologist who has worked extensively on the fortress References External links Asprocastron, silver coin from 15th century: Principality of Moldavia period Cities in Odesa Oblast Port cities and towns in Ukraine Port cities of the Black Sea Populated places on the Dniester River in Ukraine Capitals of the counties of Bessarabia Territories of the Republic of Genoa Akkermansky Uyezd Cetatea Albă County Ținutul Nistru Holocaust locations in Ukraine Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Raion Hromadas of Odesa Oblast