Moldova

National name: Republica Moldova

Government: Democratic republic

Geography
Moldova (formerly Moldavia) is a landlocked republic of hilly plains lying east of the Carpathian Mountains between the Prut and Dniester (Dnestr) rivers. The country is sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine. The area is a very fertile region with rich black soil (chernozem) covering three-quarters of the territory.

Historical Background
Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. On March 19, 2008, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev resigned unexpectedly, and President Vladimir Voronin nominated for primeminister Zinaida Greceanii.

Facts & Figures

Name

MOLDOVA

Capital

Chişinău

Government

Parliamentary republic

Language

Moldovan (Romanian)

Race/Ethnicity

71.5 % Moldovan and Romanian, 20.5% Ukrainian and Russian, 4% Gagauz, 2% Bulgarian, 2% others

Religion

Eastern Orthodox Christians, who make up 93.3% of Moldova's population

Area

33,846 km2

Population

3,567,500

Currency

Moldovan leu

GDP

2009 estimate Total  $10.141 billion Per capita $2,842

Time Zone

EET (UTC+2) Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)

National Anthem

Limba noastră