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The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked country in eastern Europe, located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the east. Its border with Romania follows the Prut and lower Danube rivers. Formerly a part of the Soviet Union as the Moldavian
SSR, it occupies most of the territory formerly known as Bessarabia (in
Romanian, Basarabia), together with areas on the left
(eastern) bank of the Dniestr river added in 1940.
History
Main article: History of Moldova
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. 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
Main article: Politics of Moldova
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.
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.
Counties
Main article: Counties of Moldova
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. Hīnceşti 18. Ialoveni 19. Leova 20. Nisporeni 21. Ocniţa 22. Orhei 23. Rezina 24. Rīşcani 25. Sīngerei 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
- Stānga Nistrului (territorial unit)
- Tighina
- Ungheni
The part of Moldova east of the Dniestr River, Transnistria - which is more heavily industrialized and is populated by a larger proportion of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians - claimed independence in
1992, fearing Moldovan unification with Romania. Russian and Ukrainian forces intervened, and remain there to
keep the peace. The OSCE is involved in negotiations between the Transnistrian leaders and
Chişinău.
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
Main article: Geography of Moldova
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
Main article: Economy of Moldova
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
Main article: Demographics of Moldova
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.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Moldova
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in Moldova
- Transportation in Moldova
- Military of Moldova
- Foreign relations of Moldova
- Internal security in Moldova
- Crime in Moldova
See also
- Moldavia, an adjacent region of Romania.
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