Moldavia, a historic region in eastern Romania between the Carpathian Mountains and the Prut River. In ancient times the region was controlled by Scythians. During 1359–1504 Moldavia was an independent principality, which included Bessarabia and Bucovina. In 1504 the entire region fell to the Ottoman Turks. Bucovina was annexed by Austria in 1774, Bessarabia by Russia in 1812. During the late 1820's Moldavia became a Russian protectorate. The region returned to Turkish control in 1856. In 1859 Moldavia and the historic region of Walachia were joined and in 1861 they became Romania.