MOLDOVA

The Republic of Moldova is a small landlocked country in eastern Europe, located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the east and south. Historically part of the Principality of Moldavia, it was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1812 and reunited with other Romanian lands in Romania in 1918. After changing hands during World War II and its final annexation by the Soviet Union, it was known as the Moldavian SSR during 1945-1991 and finally declared its independence on 27 August 1991.

The Republic of Moldova is a member state of the United Nations, WMO, UNICEF, GUAM, CIS, BSEC and others. Moldova is a parliamentary democracy. Moldova's head of state is its president. The head of government is the Prime Minister.

Location

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania.

Geography

Landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone.

Capital

Chisinau

Climate

Moderate winters, warm summers.

Language

Moldovan (official virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Monetary Unit

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Largest Cities

Chisinau, Tiraspol, Balti, Tighina

Principal rivers

Dniester, Prut

Places to Visit

Chisinau, Tiraspol, Balti, Tighina

Airports

Liadoveni Airport, Chisinau Airport