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Moldova

Republica Moldova

(In Detail)
National motto: None
Official language	Moldovan (Romanian) (+ Russian in Transnistria and Gagauzia, Ukrainian in Transnistria, Gagauz in Gagauzia)
Capital	Chişinău;
President	Vladimir Voronin
Prime Minister	Vasile Tarlev
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 135th 33,843 km² 1.4%
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 116th 4,431,570 131/km²
Independence  - Date	From the Soviet Union August 27, 1991
Currency	Leu
Time zone	UTC +2
National anthem	Limba noastră
Internet TLD	.MD
Calling Code	373

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Counties 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscellaneous topics 9 See also 10 External links

History

Moldova's territory was inhabited in ancient times by Dacians. Situated on a strategic route between Asia and Europe, Moldova has suffered from several invasions, including those of the Kievan Rus and the Mongols.

During the Middle Ages the province of Bessarabia (including most of present-day Moldova but including also districts to the north and south) formed the eastern part of the principality of Moldavia (which, like the present-day republic, was known in Romanian as "Moldova"). The principality became tributary to the Ottoman Empire, but in 1812 the Treaty of Bucharest transferred Bessarabia to Russia. The western part of Moldavia later became part of Romania.

Following the Russian Revolution, Bessarabia briefly became an independent republic in 1918, but was united with Romania that same year. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact allowed the Soviet Union to take Bessarabia in June 1940, and though forced out again in 1941, Soviet troops reoccupied the area in August 1944. Under Soviet rule the southern and northern parts (inhabited by Ukrainians and Romanians) were transferred to Ukraine and Transnistria (largely inhabited by Russians) joined with the remainder in a Soviet republic called the "Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic" covering Moldova's current territory.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in August 1991, Moldova declared its independence, becoming a member of the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States, that December, along with most of the former Soviet republics.

Initially, there was a movement to reunite with Romania, but a March 1994 referendum saw an overwhelming majority of voters favouring continued independence.

Politics

The unicameral Moldovan parliament, the Parlament, has 101 seats, and its members are elected by popular vote every 4 years. The parliament then elects a president, who functions as the head of state. The president appoints a prime minister as head of government who in turn assembles a cabinet, both subject to parliamentary approval.

The largest party in the parliament is currently the Communist Party of Moldova (Partidul Comuniştilor din Moldova, or PCM), which also supplies the current president.

Counties

Out of date map of Moldova showing old subdivisions |

Moldova is divided into 32 Rayons, or judeţe, 3 municipalities (Chişinău;, Bălţi; and Bender), two semi-autonomous regions (Gagausia) and the breakaway region of Transnistria, whose status is still disputed.

1. Anenii Noi 2. Basarabeasca 3. Briceni 4. Cahul 5. Cantemir 6. Călăraşi; 7. Căuşeni; 8. Cimişlia; 9. Criuleni 10. Donduşeni; 11. Drochia 12. Dubăsari; 13. Edineţ 14. Faleşti; 15. Floreşti; 16. Glodeni 17. Hînceşti; 18. Ialoveni 19. Leova 20. Nisporeni 21. Ocniţa; 22. Orhei 23. Rezina 24. Rîşcani; 25. Sîngerei 26. Soroca 27. Străşeni; 28. Şoldăneşti; 29. Ştefan Voda; 30. Taraclia 31. Teleneşti; 32. Ungheni

Formerly, it was made up of the following 9 counties:

• Bălţi;
• Cahul
• Chişinău; (municipality)
• Edineţ
• Găgăuzia; (autonomous territorial unit)
• Lăpuşna;
• Orhei
• Soroca
• Stânga Nistrului (territorial unit)
• Tighina
• Ungheni

As no other nation recognises Transnistria, it is de jure a part of Moldova, although in reality it is not controlled by the Moldovan government.

Geography

The western border of Moldova is formed by the Prut river, which joins the Danube before flowing into the Black Sea. In the north-east, the Dniester is the main river, flowing through the country from north to south.

The country is landlocked, even though it is very close to the Black Sea. While the northern part of the country is hilly, elevations never exceed 430 m (the highest point being the Dealul Bălăneşti;).

Moldova has a temperate continental climate, with warm summers, but mild winters.

The country's main cities are the capital Chişinău;, in the centre of the country, Tiraspol (in Transnistria), Bălţi; and Bendery.

Economy

Moldova enjoys a favourable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco.

Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.

As part of an ambitious economic liberalisation effort, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatisation, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth. Recent trends indicate that the communist government intends to reverse some of these policies, and recollectivise land while placing more restrictions on private business.

The economy returned to positive growth, of 2.1% in 2000 and 6.1% in 2001. Growth remained strong in 2002, in part because of the reforms and because of starting from a small base. Further liberalisation is in doubt because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the scepticism of foreign investors.

Demographics

The majority of the Moldovans, about 65%, is of Romanian descent, and speaks Romanian, although, for political reasons, the language is called Moldovan in the Constitution.

Russians and Ukrainians form sizeable minorties (each about 13%), mostly located in Transnistria, as does a group of Găgăuz; (5%).

All these groups speak their own languages. Nearly all of the Moldovans are Eastern Orthodox Christians, with the exception of a small number of Jews.

As many as a million Moldovans are currently out of the country seeking work, while one third of those who remain state that they would leave if they had a chance.

Culture

• List of Moldovans
• Music of Moldova

• Communications in Moldova
• Transportation in Moldova
• Military of Moldova
• Foreign relations of Moldova
• Internal security in Moldova
• Crime in Moldova

• Moldavia, an adjacent region of Romania.

• Moldova.MD - Official governmental site
• Parlamentul - Official parliamentary site
• Turism.md - Official Department of Tourism site
• - National Anthem of Moldova

Source | Copyright