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About Moldova

The Republic of Moldova (formerly known as Bessarabia and Moldavia) is a landlocked

country in Eastern Europe bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the east and south.

Historically part of the Principality of Moldavia, it was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1812

but was ceded to Romania in 1918. After changing hands during World War II and ultimately

being annexed by the Soviet Union, it was known as the Moldavian SSR between 1945 and 1991

and finally declared its independence on 27 August 1991.

Despre Republica Moldova

Republica Moldova (mai nainte cunoscut ca Basarabia i Moldova) este o ar fr ieire

la mare, n Estul Europei, care se mrginete la Vest cu Romnia i Ucraina la Nord, Est i

Sud. Din punct de vedere istoric a fost parte a Principatului Moldovei, anexat n 1812 la

Imperiul Rus i cedat mai apoi Romniei n 1918. Dup schimbarea conducerii n timpul

celui de-al doilea rzboi mondial i, ulterior, fiind anexat la Uniunea Sovietic, este

cunoscut ntre anii 1945-1991 ca Republica Sovietic Socialist Moldoveneasc (RSSM) i,

n final, i-a declarat independena la 27 august 1991.

Moldova is the second smallest of the former Soviet states at 33,700 square kilometres. About

78% of the people are Moldovans. Minority groups include Ukrainians, Russians, Turks(Gagauzs) and Bulgarians.

Moldova is in the Eastern European time zone (GMT+2 hours). Summertime (GMT+3 hours) is

in effect from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Moldova is situated on a hilly plain. The country's average elevation is 147 meters (about 482.3

feet) above sea level, with a maximum height of 429.5 meters (about 1410 feet). The climate is

continental. Winters are mild due to the proximity of the Black Sea, with average daily

temperatures in January between -4 to -7 C (about 23 to 27 F). Summers are quite warm with

average daily temperatures in July generally exceeding 25 C (68 F) and daily highs reaching 40

C (104 F) on occasion.

Moldova este al doilea cel mai mic stat din fosta Uniune Sovietic cu un teritoriu de 33,700

kmp. Aproximativ 78% din populaie sunt moldoveni. Minoritile etnice includ ucraineni,

rui, turci (gguzi) i bulgari. Moldova e situat n zona de timp Europa de Est (GMT+2

ore). Timpul de var e n vigoare din ultima duminic a lunii martie-pn la ultima

duminic a lunii octombrie.

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Moldova este situat pe o cmpie deluroas. Altitudinea medie a rii este de 147 m

(aproximativ 482,3 picioare) de-asupra nivelului mrii, cu o nlime maxim de 429,5 m

(aproximativ 1410 picioare). Clima este continental. Iernile sunt blnde datorit

apropierii de Marea Neagr, cu temperaturi medii zilnice n ianuarie ntre -4 -7C

(aproximativ 23-27 F). Verile sunt destul de calde, cu o temperatur medie general

depind 25 C (68 F), maximele zilnice atingnd i 40 C (104 F) cte-odat.

Languages:

The official language is Moldovan which is virtually the same as Romanian. Russian and Gagauz

(a Turkish dialect) are also spoken.

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%.

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Chisinau

Chisinau, formerly known as Kishinev, is the capital and industrial and commercial centre of

Moldova and is also the largest city. It is located in the centre of the country, on the river Bc.

Economically, the city is by far the most prosperous and is one of the main industrial centres and

transportation hubs of the region.

Chisinau has a broad range of educational facilities and one of the highest proportions of green

space of any major city in Europe.

Culture of Moldova

The culture of Moldova has been influenced primarily by its Romanian origins, the roots of

which reach back to the second century CE, the period of Roman colonization in Dacia. During

the centuries following the Roman withdrawal in 271 CE, the population of the region was

influenced by contact with the Byzantine Empire, neighbouring Slavic and Magyar populations

and later the Ottoman Turks. Beginning in the nineteenth century, a strong West European

(particularly French) influence was evident in Romanian literature and the arts. The resulting

melange has produced a rich cultural tradition. Although foreign contacts were an inevitable

consequence of the region's geography, their influence only served to enhance a vital and

resilient popular culture.

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Moldova's folk culture is extremely rich. Traditional crafts including ceramics and weaving are

still practiced in rural areas. During the Soviet era, Moldovan folk culture flourished and was

strongly promoted by the government; however, many elements were altered to obscure the

shared history with Romania to discourage secessionism. Folk culture is currently promoted at

the national level. Ethnic minorities have a number of folklore groups and amateur theatres

throughout the country.

Music

Moldovan music is closely related to that of its neighbour and cultural kin, Romania. Moldovan

folk music is known for swift, complex rhythms (a characteristic of many Eastern European

countries), musical improvisation, syncopation and melodic ornamentation. Pop, hip hop, rock

and other modern genres have fans in Moldova as well.