The
United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, also known as the
Romanian United Principalities, was the official name of
Romania following the 1859 election of
Alexandru Ioan Cuza as the Ruling Prince or
domnitor of both territories. On 24 January (
O.S.)
(5 February) 1862, the Principality of
Moldavia and the Principality of
Wallachia formally united to create the United Principalities. Alongside
Transylvania, the principalities became the core of the
Romanian nation state.