Moldova

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Moldova is a small country which has a troubled past. Moldova is a destination that deserves an honorable place on the tourist map. Despite the long Soviet occupation and political and armed confrontations, Moldovans are welcoming people and the capital city, Chisinau, offers everything a visitor could wish for - is full of parks and monuments, dedicated exclusively to Prince Stefan the Great.

Moldova is an ideal destination for shopping, mainly wines of outstanding quality and a wide variety of chocolate. Moldova has a rich history and fertile soil, forests and ancient monasteries. Yet the greatest attraction is the production of wine and, respectively, wine tasting. Distinguished wine cellars and Cojusna here continue to arrive, and most recently opened a winery cellars and wineries, and Orhei Branesti. Also, much of the tourism industry is based on traditional folklore, tourism and food habits - hostels and cabins located in the middle of a landscape that offers primarily traditional dishes of organic food.

Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union after the Second World War. Regaining its independence in 1991, Russian forces have remained in the country to protect the minority who has proclaimed itself a republic "Transnistria". One of the poorest nations of Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet country to elect a communist president in 2001.

Capital city: Chisinau; Border countries: Romania, Ukraine; Other major cities: Tiraspol, Balti, Tighina, Ribnita; Government: Republic; Independence: August 27, 1991 from the Soviet Union; Constitution: Signed on 28 July 1994; Geography: Located in Eastern Europe; Area: 33.843 km2; Relief: Hilly land in the center, plains in the south; Climate: Temperate continental, moderate winds, hot summers; Nationality: Moldovan; Population: 3.4 million; Ethnicity: Moldovan (83.7%), Ukrainians (6.6%), Russians (1.7%), Gagauz (4.5%), Bulgarians (1.7%), Romanians (1.4%), Others (0.4%); Religions: Christian Orthodox (93.3%), Baptists (1%), other; Official language: Romanian, Russian, Ukraine, Gagauz; Literacy: 94%; Natural resources: Lignite, Phosphor, gypsum, arable land, granite; Agricultural products: vegetables, fruits, wine, wheat, sugar, sunflower, tobacco, beef, milk; Industries: sugar, vegetable oil, foodstuffs, agricultural machines, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, textile; Exports: Russia 32.9%, Italy 12.7%, Romania 10.6%, Ukraine 9.5%, Belarus 6.7%, Germany 4.5% (2005); Imports: Ukraine 20.9%, Russia 11.7%, Romania 11.2%, Germany 8.3% Italy 6.6%, Turkey 4.1% (2005); Currency: Leu