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About Moldova
 The
Republic of Moldova is an independent state in southeastern
Europe, bordered on the north, east, and south by Ukraine and on
the west by Romania. The Republic of Moldova was formerly the Moldavian
Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR).
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On August 27, 1991 the Republic of Moldova declared
its independence. On January 30, 1992, the Republic of Moldova joined
the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and, on March
2, 1992, was admitted to the United Nations. In 1994 the Republic
of Moldova joined the Partnership for Peace program of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and in 1995 was admitted to
the Council of Europe (CE).Chisinau is Moldova's capital and largest
city. Other large cities include Tiraspol, Tighina, Balti, Cahul
and Orhei.
Land and Resources
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The Prut River forms Moldova's western boundary, and the Dniester
River forms part of the country's northeastern and southeastern
boundaries. Moldova's total area is about 33,700 sq km. The country
is largely a hilly plain. Its average elevation is 147 m above sea
level, with a maximum height of about 430 m. The climate is continental,
with some modification of conditions by the Black Sea. Winters are
fairly mild, with average daily temperatures in January between
-3° to -5° C (about 23° to 27° F). Summers are quite
warm, with average daily temperatures in July generally exceeding
20° C (68° F). Precipitation is fairly light and irregular,
and is least in the south, where it averages 350 mm per year. All
rivers and streams drain into the Black Sea. The Dniester, Prut
and Raut are the largest rivers. Steppe and forest-steppe are the
predominant vegetation types. Forests of beech, oak, and hornbeam
used to cover roughly one-third of Moldova, but are now limited
to the central portion of the country. There is a wide variety of
wildlife, although the population of certain animals, such as wolves,
has declined dramatically over the last century.
Population
Moldova had the highest population density of any republic of the
former USSR and was also one of the least urbanized republics. The
country has a population (1996 official estimation) of about 4,463,800.
The population density is about 130 persons per sq km. Approximately
47 percent of the population lives in urban areas.
Moldovans, who speak Romanian, (the country's official language
is called Moldovan, but it is identical to the Romanian language),
constitute slightly less than two-thirds of the total population.
Ukrainians and Russians are the next two largest ethnic groups,
each with about 13% of the population. Other ethnic groups include
the Gagauz (3.5%) who are a Christian people speaking a Turkic language,
and Bulgarians (2%). Orthodox Christianity is the traditional religion
of the Moldovans.
Economy
Farming is the principal occupation in Moldova, employing nearly
one-third of the total labor force. Moldova is a leading producer
of grapes, tobacco, and vegetal oil. Other crops are wheat, sugar
beets, and fruit. Animal husbandry and meat and dairy processing
are also important. Industry is dominated by food processing, especially
wine making and sugar refining. Manufactures include clothing, raw
materials, agricultural machinery, and refrigerators. Employment
by sectors are: Agriculture and Related Services - 42%, Manufacturing
Industry - 12%, Energy - 1.8%, Construction - 3.1%, Wholesale and
Retail trade - 4.3%, Transport & Communications - 5.2%, Financial
Activity - 0.8%, Real Estate Activity - 2.4%, State Administration
- 4.3%, Education - 12.9%, Health & Social Services - 7.9%.
In November 1993, the Republic of Moldova introduced its own currency,
the leu.
Public Authorities
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Moldova's Constitution, adopted on July 29, 1994, established the
country as an independent republic and granted extensive powers
of self-government to the Territorial Autonomous Unit Gagauz-Yeri
and Transdniestria region. After the modification of Constitution
in July 2000, Moldova became a democracy with a parliamentary system.
Government oversees the home and foreign policy of the state and
exercise control over public administration. President of the Republic
of Moldova is the chief of state, who guarantees sovereignty, national
independence, territorial unity and integrity of the country. The
chief legislative body is the Parliament, a unicameral assembly
of 101 deputies. The deputies are elected by the voters for four-year
terms. Moldova's justice system includes a Constitutional Court,
a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeal, district courts and law-courts.
The biggest political parties in Moldova include the Party of Communists,
Democratic Party, the Party of Rebirth and Reconciliation, the Party
of Democratic Forces, the Christian Democratic Popular Front, the
Agrarian Democratic Party, and the Social Democratic Party etc.
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