Moldova Country Facts

Moldova is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. It lies between latitudes 45° and 49° N, and longitudes 26° and 30° E. The country covers an area of approximately 33,846 square kilometers (13,068 square miles), making it one of the smallest countries in Europe by land area.

Geography

Moldova’s geography is characterized by rolling hills, fertile plains, and river valleys. The country has a temperate continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The landscape is predominantly agricultural, with vast expanses of farmland used for growing crops such as wheat, corn, and sunflowers. Moldova is also home to several national parks and nature reserves, which protect its diverse flora and fauna.

The longest river in Moldova is the Dniester, which flows for 1,362 kilometers (846 miles) through the country, forming much of its eastern border with Ukraine. The highest point in Moldova is Dealul Bălănești, reaching an elevation of 430 meters (1,411 feet) above sea level.

History

Prehistory

The territory of present-day Moldova has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Paleolithic era. Throughout its history, Moldova has been part of various empires and kingdoms, including the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire.

Medieval Period

During the medieval period, Moldova emerged as a principality under the rule of various local rulers, including the Moldavian Voivodes. In the 15th century, Moldova reached its peak under the rule of Stephen the Great, who expanded the principality’s territory and defended it against Ottoman and Hungarian invasions.

Ottoman and Russian Rule

In the 16th century, Moldova came under Ottoman rule, followed by a period of Russian domination in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1812, the eastern part of Moldova was annexed by the Russian Empire and became known as Bessarabia. The western part remained under Ottoman control until the 19th century when it was united with Romania.

Soviet Era and Independence

In 1940, following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Bessarabia was annexed by the Soviet Union and became the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, following the dissolution of the USSR. Since then, the country has undergone significant political and economic reforms as it strives to establish itself as a modern European nation.

Demographics

Moldova has a population of approximately 2.6 million people, with a diverse ethnic makeup. The majority of the population are ethnic Moldovans, followed by Ukrainians, Russians, and Gagauz. The official language is Moldovan, which is closely related to Romanian. The majority of the population adheres to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with smaller communities of Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims.

Administrative Divisions

Moldova is divided into 32 administrative districts, including two municipalities: Chișinău and Bălți. Each district is further subdivided into communes and cities. The administrative divisions are as follows:

1. Bălți Municipality
2. Chișinău Municipality
3. Anenii Noi District
4. Basarabeasca District
5. Briceni District
6. Cahul District
7. Cantemir District
8. Călărași District
9. Căușeni District
10. Cimișlia District
11. Criuleni District
12. Dondușeni District
13. Drochia District
14. Dubăsari District
15. Edineț District
16. Fălești District
17. Florești District
18. Glodeni District
19. Hîncești District
20. Ialoveni District
21. Leova District
22. Nisporeni District
23. Ocnița District
24. Orhei District
25. Rezina District
26. Rîșcani District
27. Sîngerei District
28. Soroca District
29. Strășeni District
30. Ștefan Vodă District
31. Taraclia District
32. Telenești District
33. Ungheni District

10 Largest Cities by Population

1. Chișinău
2. Bălți
3. Tiraspol (administered by Transnistria)
4. Bender (administered by Transnistria)
5. Rîbnița (administered by Transnistria)
6. Cahul
7. Ungheni
8. Soroca
9. Orhei
10. Dubăsari (administered by Transnistria)

Education Systems

Education in Moldova is provided by both public and private institutions and is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The education system follows a curriculum that includes primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education. Moldova has several universities and colleges, including the State University of Moldova and the Technical University of Moldova, which offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Transportation

Airports

Moldova is served by several airports, including Chișinău International Airport, which is the country’s main international gateway. Other airports include Bălți International Airport and Tiraspol International Airport (administered by Transnistria).

Railways

Moldova has a network of railways that connect major cities and towns across the country. The total length of the railway network is approximately 1,138 kilometers (707 miles).

Highways

The road infrastructure in Moldova consists of highways and secondary roads, which connect urban centers and rural areas. The total length of highways in Moldova is approximately 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles).

Ports

Moldova does not have direct access to the sea, but it has access to the Danube River, which serves as a major waterway for the transportation of goods.

Country Facts

• Population: 2.6 million
• Capital: Chișinău
• Official Language: Moldovan (Romanian)
• Religion: Eastern Orthodox Christianity
• Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)
• ISO Country Codes: MD, MDA
• International Calling Code: +373
• Top-Level Domain: .md