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Republic of Moldova: area, population, president, capital, administrative-territorial division. About Moldova What country is Moldova

Moldova It’s easy to find on the map, but it’s not the most obvious option when choosing a trip abroad. So far, quite a few tourists come to the country, but this situation is not entirely deserved.

For residents of Russia, there are gentle conditions for entry into Moldova; in addition, the country has many attractions, and nature and mild climate make the country a paradise for ecotourism.

Moldova on the world and Europe map

Moldova (Republic of Moldova) is a small state that was formerly part of the USSR. Square The country's territory is about 34 thousand km².

A holiday in the country will be surprisingly cheap, since Moldova is one of the poorest countries.

Where is?

Moldova is located in southeastern Europe at the very southwestern edge East European Plain in the interfluve of the Dniester and Prut, as well as on a small part of the coast of the left bank of the Dniester in the middle and lower reaches (Transnistria).

What countries does it border with?

Many, when answering the question of who Moldova borders, mistakenly believe that the republic has borders with Russia, but this is not so.

The Moldavian Republic borders only two countries: Ukraine and . Moldova has no access to the sea. The time zone of Moldova is UTC +2 (in summer - UTC +3). The time difference between Chisinau and is 1 hour in winter; in summer, the time in the capitals of Russia and Moldova is the same.

General information about the country

Moldova is a unitary parliamentary republic, the head of government is appointed by the country's parliament, who is elected in general elections. The power of the head of state (president) is significantly limited by parliament.

Population The country's population, according to government estimates, is 3.5 million people, excluding Transnistria. However, the 2014 census recorded only 2.9 million people in areas controlled by the central government of Moldova. The population of Transnistria is estimated at approximately 500 thousand inhabitants. Thus, the total population of Moldova ranges from 3.5 to 4 million people.

Capital of Moldova - Kishinev, the largest city in the country. The state language of the country is Moldovan, Russian has the status of a language of international significance. Ukrainian, Gagauz and Bulgarian languages ​​are also common in Moldova.

In Transnistria, the official equal languages ​​are Russian, Moldavian and Ukrainian, but de facto the majority of the population of the PMR speaks Russian.

Moldova - almost completely Christian country. Almost 95% of believers are Orthodox, the rest of the residents belong to various Protestant churches. Catholicism, Islam and Judaism are professed by an extremely small part of the country's inhabitants.

Climate

The climate of Moldova belongs to the continental variety temperate climate. Winter is quite mild, the average January temperature is -3-5°C, snow cover lasts 1-2 months. It is usually hot and very sunny, with an average July temperature of +22°C. The amount of precipitation is almost evenly distributed throughout the year; in general, the climate of Moldova is dry; droughts occur quite often in the country.

Entry to Moldova for Russians

The rules for entry into Moldova for residents of Russia are quite relaxed and similar entry rules for Moldovan citizens. The period of continuous stay of Russian citizens on the territory of Moldova is 90 days.

Do I need a visa and passport?

Visa permission to enter Moldova for residents of Russia not required, if the period of stay in this country does not exceed 90 days.

To cross the border with Moldova, Russians must have a valid passport, children You must have a birth certificate. If you enter the territory of Moldova with one of the parents or with third parties, you must have permission or a power of attorney from the other parent(s).

If the planned period of stay in Moldova exceeds 90 days, then you must apply for a visa at the country's embassy or consular section.

How to get there?

You can get to Moldova by air and rail only from Moscow or St. Petersburg. From Moscow there are daily departures to Chisinau airport. 4 flights, flights from St. Petersburg are carried out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The flight time is about two hours.

Airplane tickets can be purchased using this search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

You can go to Moldova and by rail, the daily train Moscow - Chisinau will deliver to the capital of Moldova in 30 hours. There is also a daily train from St. Petersburg, and the journey time will be about 40 hours.

You can get to Moldova by bus, bus services depart from Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh and some other Russian cities.

You can also get to the Republic by car, but due to the need to cross the border with Ukraine and tense Russian-Ukrainian relations, this method of transportation has significantly lost its popularity.

Republic with regions and cities

There are 65 cities and about 900 villages in Moldova, the total population of the country is approximately 3.5 million people.

Administrative division

Moldova is such a small country that it is divided not into regions, but into districts. In total, the administrative division of Moldova distinguishes 32 districts And 5 municipalities- cities with a special status, which include the largest settlements in the country - Chisinau and Balti, as well as Comrat (Gagauzia), Tiraspol and Bendery (located in Transnistria).

In addition, in the administrative division of Moldova there is a separate Gagauzia, in which more than 50% of the population are Gagauz - a separate people of Turkic origin, not related to the Moldovans.

The left bank of the Dniester occupies Transnistrian Moldavian Republic(PMR) is an unrecognized state proclaimed in 1990.

The Transnistrian conflict, the hot form of which ended in a short civil war in 1992, is currently frozen.

The territory of Transnistria is not controlled by the central authorities, the PMR has its own currency (Transnistrian ruble), and elects its own parliament and head of state (president of the PMR). Due to the unrecognized status of the PMR, close economic ties have been established between Transnistria and the rest of Moldova, and movement between the two parts of the country is practically free. The capital of Transnistria is the city Tiraspol. The population of Transnistria is about 500 thousand people.

Big cities

Due to the small size of the country and the largely rural type of settlement, there are few residents of large cities in Moldova. The largest city in the country is Kishinev, which is home to 750 thousand people. Other major cities in Moldova include:

  • Tiraspol(150 thousand inhabitants);
  • Balti(140 thousand);
  • Bendery(about 90 thousand);
  • Rybnitsa(50 thousand local residents).

The population of other cities in Moldova is much smaller and does not exceed 40 thousand inhabitants.

What is the country famous for and what to see?

The first association that arises in connection with Moldova is, of course, wine. Indeed, winemaking plays a huge role in the economy and culture of Moldova. Moldova can also boast of a rich history - in the Middle Ages, the Principality of Moldova was one of the most powerful states in southeastern Europe, and the rulers of Moldova built a whole system of fortresses that protected the country from enemies.

Sights - photos and descriptions

Despite the modest size of the country and small population, there is much to be surprised and admired in Moldova. Another positive factor is that Moldovans are fluent in Russian. The main attractions of the country should rather be sought outside of Chisinau in various Moldovan cities.


Nature

The nature of Moldova is quite diverse and different crossed character. Almost the entire area is rugged with hills, ravines and ravines. Forest-steppes are common in the northern part of the country, while the southern part of Moldova is a steppe, almost completely converted into agricultural land.

In the northern part of the country, dense forests remain - Codri, which consist of oak, hornbeam and ash thickets, as well as beech groves. The country's wild fauna is represented by more than 400 species of animals and birds.

The main rivers of Moldova are Dniester And Rod, the country also has a tiny outlet (less than a kilometer) to the Danube. There are practically no large lakes on the territory of Moldova.

Almost all suitable terrain is widely used in agriculture. The countryside is very picturesque: Moldova is literally dotted with gardens in which a variety of fruits are grown, fields are occupied by corn and sunflowers, and vineyards are located on the hills.

As a rule, it is not tourists who go to Moldova to shop. No wonder! It is here that you can buy digital equipment, locally made shoes and even cars at surprisingly competitive prices. When visiting the country, remember that it is not used to pampering guests with expensive shiny trinkets. However, here you will certainly find everything you need and at a very attractive price.

Your friends back home will not understand you if you do not bring back from your trip the symbol of the Moldavian Republic - wine. You can buy it literally everywhere. However, the easiest way to find wine is in Chisinau and Bendery - the largest cities in the country.

Transport

The railway transport of Moldova will be useless for tourists: the communication is very poor and the system itself is not in the best condition. The most adequate and easiest option for traveling around the country is a car. The entire country can be crossed in 4 hours.

River transport is most suitable for tourists. The presence of ports (one of them is in Bendery) makes this type of travel not only cheap, but also exciting. River travel is inexpensive and will leave more impressions than you can imagine.

In addition, there are plenty of bus routes, but the condition of the roads in this country is not always satisfactory.

Unfortunately, Moldova has no access to the sea. No matter what the cunning tour operators tell you.

Connection

Before purchasing a SIM card in Moldova or dealing with your own mobile operator, take into account the fact that here in large cities there are plenty of different Internet cafes, as well as many Wi-Fi access points. The average cost of one hour online is $0.5. And given the popularity of mobile gadgets and laptops with access to programs like Skype, you can save a lot on communicating with relatives at home. Naturally, this is only possible if you are located in Chisinau, Bendery or another large city in the country.

If the option with interactive communication does not suit you, roaming is at your service.

Safety

Due to events taking place in the country, tourists are not recommended to travel independently, especially to unfamiliar regions of the country. The capital and developed cities are still safe, but the borders of Moldova can present a number of unpleasant surprises to an inexperienced tourist due to the not particularly favorable political situation in the country.

In addition, every tourist should remember that any big city entails the possibility of leaving you completely without money, and this is provided that you do not spend a penny. Beware of pickpockets and avoid unfamiliar areas of the city.

Tourists do not require any vaccinations before traveling to Moldova.

Business

According to experts, the most profitable segment of the Moldovan market is agricultural. Alcohol and tobacco products are also in high demand. Medicine is also a profitable market segment.

Real estate

In comparison with prices for living space in the CIS countries, housing in Moldova can be called quite budget-friendly. By the way, a three-room apartment with a good renovation in a new building will cost around $50,000. Your own cottage, in a good area, with at least 6 rooms, excellent renovation, will also be inexpensive - the average cost of quality housing in the suburbs does not exceed $150,000. There are no restrictions on purchasing real estate in this country. The state does not place obstacles for those who want to acquire their own apartment or land in Moldova.

As mentioned above, tourists, and especially beginners, are not recommended to travel to the cities of Moldova remote from the capital. Due to the unstable political situation in the country, its guests may encounter a number of troubles.

Please note that the export of alcoholic beverages, including wine, is strictly limited. You can find out what and in what quantities are allowed to be transported across the border on the embassy website.

Visa information

Moldova is not a member of the Schengen countries.

Residents of CIS countries do not need a visa to visit Moldova for a period of no more than 90 days. Citizens of most European countries do not need a visa at all and can cross the border without hindrance. Residents of other countries must apply for a visa in a standard manner.

The Moldovan Embassy is located in Moscow at the address: st. Kuznetsky Most, 18. Phone: (+7 495) 624 53 53.

Story

The ancestors of the Moldavian people are the Vlachs (Volochs), the ethnic basis of whose formation, as modern science suggests, was the Romanized Geto-Dacian population that lived on both banks of the Danube. The Vlachs lived in communities in ancient times. The community was governed by a council made up of wealthy peasants. The council also included the “knez” (leader), who initially exercised power in wartime. Gradually, power passed to the prince and became hereditary.

The first political formations of the Vlachs arose in the form of “knezats” and voivodships; the socio-political prerequisites for Moldavian statehood took shape in the depths of the Old Russian state. In the middle of the 13th century. The Mongols seized power over the region in the 14th century. - Hungarians. In 1359, Voivode Bogdan and part of the Vlachs moved to the territory called in the sources “Moldavian Land” (the center is the Moldovan River basin) and established his power over most of the Eastern Carpathian region, and in 1365 he achieved recognition of the independence of the state. This is how the independent Principality of Moldova arose with its capital in the city of Siret.

The first Moldavian rulers had the title of “voivode”, and from the beginning of the 15th century. - “sir.” Alexander the Good (1400–1432) was the first to bear this title. His power was formally unlimited: he issued charters, signed treaties with foreign states, was the supreme commander and judge. However, the boyars who were members of the Boyar Rada played a major role in the state: not a single issue of domestic and foreign policy was resolved without their participation.

Hospodar Peter III Aron in the fall of 1455 was forced to agree to pay tribute to the Turkish Sultan, but Stephen III the Great (1457–1504), who displaced Aron and built a network of fortresses and border fortifications, refused to pay tribute in 1473. The Sultan, who decided to subjugate Stefan by force, was defeated in January 1475 at the Vaslui River. During the reign of Stefan, foreign policy ties between Moldova and Russia strengthened. The union was supplemented by family ties: the son of Grand Duke Ivan III was married to Helen, daughter of Stephen III.

However, at the beginning of the 16th century. The Moldavian principality fell into vassal dependence on Turkey. The Sultan was paid an annual tribute - kharazhd. The Moldavian ruler was confirmed on the throne by the sultan, as a sign of loyalty to whom the rulers were obliged to send sons or close relatives to Istanbul, who were practically in the position of hostages there. During the 16th–17th centuries. There were almost 50 rulers on the Moldavian throne. The central government was weak, the country was actually ruled by a boyar oligarchy - representatives of the 75 most influential families. The class of feudal lords also included “servants” - Moldavian nobles who served in the army of the ruler and received land holdings for their service on the right of estate.

Peasants who in the 15th century. were considered formally free from the second half of the 17th century. began to fall into serfdom from the boyars. According to the new order, a peasant who lived on boyar land for 12 years became a serf. Such peasants (called vechins) worked on the feudal lord’s farm for a set number of days, paid rent in kind and money to their master and delivered homemade products to him; they could be inherited, mortgaged, or sold along with the land. The gypsy serfs were in an even worse situation.

During the reign of Vasily Lupu (1634–1653), the first set of Moldavian laws was compiled - the Code (1646). The norms of criminal law, reflected in the Code, were in force until the mid-18th century, and civil law - until the spread of all-Russian legislation on the territory of Bessarabia in the first half of the 19th century.

In February 1654, ruler Gheorghe Stefan sent his representative Ivan Grigoriev to Moscow with a request to accept Moldavia into Russian citizenship; in March 1656, Russian-Moldavian negotiations on this issue began. Due to complicated international relations (the Russian-Swedish war and other events), the negotiations remained without consequences, but their very fact caused a negative reaction from the Turkish Sultan: in March 1658, George Stefan was removed from the throne.

In 1711, the ruler Dmitry Cantemir concluded an agreement with Peter I, according to which he became Peter's vassal, and the latter undertook to restore Moldova to its former borders. The Moldavian army fought together with the Russian against the Turks, but the failure of the Prut campaign of Peter I prevented the implementation of this agreement. Dmitry Cantemir himself and his associates moved to Russia, where he wrote most of his works.

Since 1711, the Moldavian boyars lost the right to elect hospodars, and every three years the Turkish government began to appoint as hospodars people alien to Moldova from among the Greek aristocracy, who went over to the service of the Sultan. These representatives of the Greek nobility (called Phanariotes) ruled Moldavia for over 100 years. The Phanariot rulers did not have the right to maintain their army or conduct foreign policy, but had to collect and send tribute to the Sultan.

During the Russian-Turkish wars of the 18th century. The Russian army liberated Moldova from the Turks three times. According to the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace of 1774 with Turkey, Russia received protection over Moldova. Turkey pledged to return the lands taken from it to Moldova, exempt the tax-paying population from taxes for two years, and not demand tax arrears from them during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768–1774. The result was a weakening of Turkish oppression and the strengthening of economic ties with Russia, where Moldova exported wine and fruit and from where it imported furs, iron products, linen and ropes.

As a result of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787–1791, according to the Peace of Jassy, ​​the territory between the Bug and the Dniester was annexed to Russia, and according to the Treaty of Bucharest, which summed up the Russian-Turkish war of 1806–1812, the territory between the Dniester and the Prut (Bessarabia) was annexed.

The inclusion of Moldavian lands into the Russian Empire did not mean the restoration of Moldavian statehood. Moldavian lands were divided between various administrative units. Only Bessarabia, where a compact majority of Moldovans lived, received a special legal status.

In the first years after the annexation, the old system of governing the region, beneficial to the Moldavian boyars, was preserved, as well as the old land relations, laws and customs. In accordance with the Rules of the Provisional Government of the Bessarabia Region adopted in 1813, the administration of Bessarabia was carried out by the governor (he became the boyar Scarlat Sturdza) and the provisional regional government. The region was divided into 9 cinuts, to each of which police officers from Moldavian boyars were appointed by the governor. The okolashi (volost elders) were subordinate to the police officers.

In 1816, the post of governor was established in Bessarabia, and in 1818 - a Supreme Council of 11 people and a regional court consisting of criminal and civil chambers. The criminal court was guided by Russian laws, the civil court by Moldovan laws. In 1828, with the adoption of the Institution for the management of the Bessarabia region, an all-Russian administrative system of management was introduced on the territory of Bessarabia. Record keeping in the Moldavian language ceased; in 1873 the Bessarabian region was turned into a province.

A stream of immigrants rushed to the annexed territories: both from abroad (Bulgarians, Gagauz, Germans, etc.) and from the central and Ukrainian provinces. Here military-economic settlements were created from retired soldiers, Cossacks, and military personnel. Less severe feudal oppression and favorable natural conditions attracted peasants fleeing serfdom here. Moldavian lands continued to remain agricultural, but the relationship between livestock raising and agriculture changed, the latter in the mid-19th century. has become the dominant industry. Industry developed slowly; in pre-reform times, specific industries predominated - salt production and fishing with fish processing.

In 1818, the local boyars were equal in rights and privileges with the Russian nobility; the lower strata of the ruling class (Boernashi) in the 40s received the rights to personal nobility. However, the main category of peasants - tsarans - were not equated to serfs in Russia. They were declared “free farmers,” but for the use of landowners’ and monastic lands they had to serve corvee labor and pay quitrent. Small landowners - rezeshi - were less dependent on the feudal lords and were mainly in the position of tax-paying peasants.

In 1820 Chisinau became one of the centers of the revolutionary movement in Russia. The Decembrists created the Kishinev government here, headed by M.F. Orlov, who commanded the 16th division. The Kishinev Decembrists launched propaganda among the soldiers, preparing them for an armed uprising. To train cadets and soldiers, Lancaster schools were created, the head of which was the poet V.F. Raevsky, a participant in the Patriotic War of 1812. To expand their influence, the Decembrists also used the Ovid Masonic lodge created in 1821 in Chisinau. A close connection was also established with the secret political society of Greek rebels, Filiki Eteria, operating in Bessarabia.

The revolutionary propaganda of the Decembrists led to the fact that at the end of 1821 unrest occurred in four of the six regiments of the 16th division. After their suppression, M.F. Orlov was removed from command of the division, and V.F. Raevsky was arrested and imprisoned in the Tiraspol fortress.

Peasant reform in Moldavian lands was carried out at different times. In the left bank regions of Transnistria, which were part of the Kherson and Podolsk provinces, it was carried out on the basis of the Regulations on peasants emerging from serfdom on February 19, 1861. For the Kherson province, it was provided for the liberation of peasants and the provision of land to them in the amount of 3 to 7 dessiatinas for ransom .

In Bessarabia, the Regulations concerned only a small part of the peasants, since serfs made up only one percent of the population here. For the bulk of the peasants, the Tsarans, the reform was carried out on the basis of the law of July 14, 1868. The allotment (on average 2.9 dessiatinas) was transferred here for family use. For state peasants and colonists, special reforms were carried out in 1869 and 1871, according to which they received from 8 to 11 acres of land per capita, and for a smaller ransom.

In southern Bessarabia, the reform was carried out in 1864. Peasants received land here for hereditary family use, but their allotment was less than in the Novorossiysk provinces. In the south of the region, where the bulk of the land was in the use of state peasants and colonists, the peasants received land ownership on preferential terms, respectively, 30 and 50 dessiatines per family head. The existing land structure remained here even after these areas returned to Russia in 1878.

The peasant reform contributed to the development of capitalist forms of production, farming, and renting. Bessarabia became one of the provinces of commercial grain farming, and viticulture, gardening, and tobacco growing also began to develop at a faster pace. Trade played a major role in the economy of the province; the share of industry continued to remain insignificant.

During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878, volunteer detachments were formed on the territory of Moldova to fight against Turkey, including the formation of the Bulgarian militia. In Chisinau, the Red Cross Society trained brothers of mercy for Bulgaria. As a result of the war, the southern part of Bessarabia with ports on the Danube again became part of Russia.

The revolution of 1905–1907 in Russia spread to Moldavian lands. On August 21, 1905, a general political strike began in Chisinau, which resulted in a demonstration the next day and led to an armed clash between workers and troops and police. In October, railway workers from Chisinau, Balti, Tiraspol, as well as printers and workers of many workshops, joined the all-Russian political strike. The unrest also affected the peasants, the army and the navy. In January 1906, a peasant uprising broke out in the village of Comrat, Bendery district, which had to be suppressed with the help of troops. The national liberation movement intensified, demands were made for children to be taught in their native language, and newspapers began to be published in the Moldovan language.

Stolypin's agrarian reform also affected Bessarabia. Between 1907 and 1913, 11,810 peasant farms in the Bessarabian province separated from the community and secured 130 thousand acres of land as private property. About 60 thousand peasants moved to Siberia and Kazakhstan.

During the First World War, railway construction developed at an accelerated pace in Moldova, driven by the needs of the front. At the same time, a decline began in agriculture, caused by the mobilization of the able-bodied male population into the army and economic devastation and expressed in a reduction in sown areas and gross grain harvest. Almost from the beginning of the war, the peasant movement intensified in the region. In connection with conscription into the army, the peasantry refused to pay state and zemstvo taxes and resisted the requisition of livestock.

In the first days of the February Revolution of 1917, the bodies of the Provisional Government were formed in Moldova. On March 6, the chairman of the zemstvo government of the Bessarabian province, landowner Mimi, was appointed provincial commissar. Councils of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies arose in Chisinau, Bendery, Balti and other large cities.

In October 1917, Sfatul Tsariy (“Council of the Country”) was created and the autonomy of Moldova was declared, and a decision was made to create a Moldavian national army. On December 2, 1917, the Council proclaimed Bessarabia the Moldavian Democratic Republic, and on January 24, 1918 declared its independence. In agreement with Sfatul Tarii, Romanian troops entered the territory of Bessarabia. At the same time, the Second Congress of Rumcherod (the executive committee of the Soviets of the Romanian Front, the Black Sea Fleet and the Odessa region), held on December 10–23, 1917 in Odessa, proclaimed a course towards establishing Soviet power on the territory of Moldova. In response to the advance of Romanian troops, the Council of People's Commissars of Russia broke off diplomatic relations with Romania and sent Red Army units to Bessarabia.

The conflict led to the division of Moldovan lands. On April 9, 1918, Sfatul Tarii, by a slight majority of votes, decided to unite the MDR with Romania, and Soviet power was established on the territory of the left bank of the Dniester region during 1919–1921. In the fall of 1924, at the III session of the All-Ukrainian Central Executive Committee of the VIII convocation, the Law on Education within the Ukrainian Socialist Republic of the Autonomous Moldavian Socialist Soviet Republic (MASSR) was adopted. The republic included 11 districts of the Left Bank of the Dniester, the capital became the city of Balta, and since 1929 - the city of Tiraspol.

The First All-Moldavian Congress of Soviets (April 19–23, 1925) adopted a constitution that determined the state structure of the republic, a manifesto to the peoples of Moldova, and elected the Central Executive Committee of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. G.I. Stary was elected Chairman of the Presidium of the CEC at the first session of the CEC, A.I. Stroev became the head of government. The Moldavian ASSR was thus included in the system of state bodies of the Soviet Union.

The creation of a large industry began in the republic, primarily food and construction materials. In 1935, the Tiraspol Thermal Power Plant came into operation. Private enterprises were nationalized, and in 1929–1931 complete collectivization of peasant farms was carried out.

In the second half of the 30s, the leadership of the MASSR, as well as many ordinary people, were subjected to Stalinist repressions. In May 1937, a number of government members (including the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the MASSR G.I. Stary), party, Komsomol and Soviet workers were released from office, and then arrested and repressed. All of them were accused of treason and espionage “in favor of royal Romania.”

On June 26 and 27, 1940, the USSR government sent two notes to the Romanian government, which contained demands for the return of Bessarabia and the transfer of Northern Bukovina to the USSR as a means of “compensating for the enormous damage that was caused to the Soviet Union and the population of Bessarabia by the 22-year rule of Romania in Bessarabia.” On June 28, Romania withdrew its troops and administration from Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina.

On August 2, 1940, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted the law on the formation of the Moldavian SSR. 6 out of 9 Bessarabian districts and 6 out of 14 districts of the former MASSR became part of the new union republic. The northern part of Bukovina, Khotyn, Akkerman and Izmail districts of Bessarabia were included in the Ukrainian SSR. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 4, 1940, 8 regions of the MASSR were also transferred to Ukraine.

New government bodies were created in the cities, villages and towns of Moldova: executive committees of councils and local Soviet governing bodies. In January 1941, elections were held to the Supreme Council of the Moldavian SSR, at the first session of which a constitution of the republic, similar to the Soviet, was approved.

In accordance with the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 15, 1940, banks and credit institutions, loan and savings banks, railway and water transport, trams and buses, communications, major industrial enterprises, power plants, large commercial enterprises, oil and gas industries were nationalized in Bessarabia. reservoirs, medical and socio-cultural institutions, large residential buildings. On the territory of 6 counties of the former MASSR, about 500 industrial enterprises were nationalized.

At the end of July - beginning of August 1941, the territory of the Moldavian SSR was completely occupied by fascist troops. The right-bank regions became part of the so-called “Bessarabia” governorate, the left-bank regions became part of the so-called “Transnistria” (“Transnistria”) governorate. In contrast to “Transnistria,” which was transferred by the Nazis to the Romanian Kingdom for temporary “administration and economic exploitation,” the governorates of “Bessarabia” and “Bukovina” were declared an integral part of Romania. In the period 1941–1944, about 80 anti-fascist underground organizations and groups operated on the territory of Moldova; by the beginning of 1944, almost all of them were defeated. The partisan movement intensified only in the summer of 1944 during the preparation of the Iasi-Kishinev operation.

On March 17, 1944, troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front reached the Dniester and the border of the Moldavian SSR, and by March 25, Soviet troops had already occupied more than 100 settlements on the right bank of Moldova. On April 12, 1944, troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front captured Tiraspol.

On August 20, 1944, the Iasi-Kishinev operation began, in which the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts, the Black Sea Fleet and the Danube Military Flotilla took part. On August 21, the city of Iasi was taken, on August 24, Chisinau was liberated. In just 10 days, 22 German divisions were surrounded and eliminated.

After the war, 245 thousand hectares of farmland were transferred into the hands of land-poor and landless peasants, seed and fodder loans, and loans for the purchase of livestock were allocated. Some peasant farms were exempt from taxes. In 1946–1947, the territory of Moldova suffered a terrible drought, which led to extremely low yields of cereal crops and grasses. However, the Stalinist system of compulsory grain procurements, extended to the republic, forced local party and Soviet bodies to continue fulfilling government supplies. This led to mass starvation and even death of the population. The Union government urgently provided food and grain assistance to the republic, which did not improve the situation, since grain deliveries, which deprived peasants of insurance food supplies, were not canceled. “The situation in the republic was paradoxical,” note modern Moldovan historians. – In the autumn months, the Moldavian village became a place for cross-transportation of grain. One flow was aid from the regional “Zagotzerno” points going to the villages, and the other – grain procurements – went in the opposite direction to these same points.” According to various estimates, from 150 to 300 thousand people died from hunger in the republic during these years .

In 1949, mass collectivization of agriculture was carried out, accompanied by the deportation of the wealthy part of the peasantry.

In 1988, two opposition groups emerged: the Democratic Movement in Support of Perestroika and the Aleksei Mateevich Musical and Literary Club. On May 20, 1989, the Popular Front of Moldova was created, advocating for the autonomy of the republic. With the direct participation of these organizations, in the summer of 1989, numerous demonstrations took place in Chisinau under the slogan: “Moldova to the Moldovans!” The demonstrators demanded the political and economic independence of Moldova, the annulment of the consequences of the German-Soviet treaty of 1939, and the recognition of the Moldovan language as the official language of the republic. In response to this, the founding congress of the Unitate-Unity inter-movement took place on July 8.

On August 31, 1989, the Supreme Council of the MSSR proclaimed Moldovan the official language in the “political, economic, social and cultural spheres”, Russian as the language of interethnic communication. A law was adopted on the return of Latin script to the Moldovan language. Mircea Snegur was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council with the support of the Popular Front.

On February 25, 1990, elections were held to the Supreme Council of the Moldavian SSR. Popular Front supporters won the majority of seats. On April 27, the country's state symbols changed; a blue-yellow-red tricolor resembling the Romanian tricolor was introduced as the state flag. Deputies opposed to the Popular Front resigned from parliament on May 24.

On August 2, at the Second Extraordinary Congress of the Workers of Transnistria, who did not want to secede from the USSR, a decision was made to form the Transnistrian Moldavian SSR, and on November 22–25, elections were held to the Supreme Council of the republic. However, the Supreme Council of the MSSR declared these elections invalid.

On March 6, 2005, parliamentary elections were held in Moldova, in which 64.84% of voters took part. 45.98% of voters voted for the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), 28.53% for the Democratic Moldova bloc (BDM), and 9.07% for the Christian Democratic People's Party (CDPP). The election process was monitored by 747 observers from the OSCE, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Union, as well as 2.5 thousand local observers. Russian observers were expelled from Moldova on the eve of the elections.

On April 4, 2005, the parliament re-elected the current President Vladimir Nikolaevich Voronin for a new term (75 deputies voted for him). The second candidate, Giorgi Ducu (head of the Academy of Sciences of the republic, also a candidate from the Communist Party) received one vote. Voronin's inauguration took place on April 7, 2005.

Economy

Agriculture remains the most significant area of ​​economic activity. Private ownership of land was legalized only in 1991, but the sale of agricultural land began only after 2001. Agriculture provides more than 2/5 of national income. The mild climate and fertile soils allow the cultivation of a large number of crops. Moldova is a major producer of grapes and wine products. Its orchards produce large harvests of plums, apricots, cherries and peaches. Fruit cultivation is concentrated in the north, central regions and the Dniester valley. An important commercial crop is tobacco. Sugar beets are grown everywhere in the country, which provides raw materials for numerous sugar factories. Sunflower is grown to produce vegetable oil. Corn and wheat are sown everywhere; they are consumed on the domestic market, used for feed and exported. Meat production accounts for less than half of total agricultural production. About half of the meat products are pork, followed by beef, poultry, and lamb.

Moldova has developed some heavy industries that emerged during the Soviet period, as well as light and food industries. The leading branch of heavy industry is mechanical engineering, the main products of which are electric motors, electrical and agricultural equipment. There is a chemical industry (production of plastics, synthetic fibers, paints and varnishes), as well as building materials and cement. Consumer goods include fabrics, clothing, refrigerators, furniture, televisions, and radios. The food industry is of great importance. According to IMF estimates, in Moldova (with the exception of Transnistria) the share of food in 1995 was 50% of total production. The food industry produces a wide range of products, including canned vegetables and fruits (jams, jellies, fruit juices), refined sugar and vegetable oil. Moldova is famous for its wines, including sparkling and cognacs.

Industry, including mining, construction and energy production, accounted for an increasingly large share of Moldova's economy in the early 1990s, despite a general decline in production. In 1995, industry accounted for 36.4% of the increase in net material product. In 1994, 19.4% of the country's working population was employed in the industrial sector. In the second half of the 1990s, there was a significant reduction in industrial production.

During the Soviet period, Moldova was an importer of industrial raw materials, industrial goods and fuel. The main exports were fresh and processed agricultural products. After independence, the volume of foreign trade, largely oriented towards the CIS countries, declined sharply, although trade with these countries accounts for more than 2/3 of the total volume of foreign trade transactions. The main trading partners are Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Belarus and Germany. Exports are dominated by agricultural products (primarily wines and tobacco), textiles, machinery and chemical products. The main import items are oil, natural gas, coal, cars, and food. In 1996, Moldova's trade deficit reached $254.1 million.


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Description

Moldova is an integral part of Europe, with a rich and expressive history. This country, located in the contact zone of various cultural and historical currents - Carpatho-Balkan, Central European and Eurasian, throughout its many-thousand-year history, harmoniously absorbed various cultural traditions of the Proto-Indo-European peoples and the most ancient Indo-Europeans, including the Thracians, Slavs, Celts, Goths, Huns, etc., subsequently formed their own specific and unique features.

Despite its small area, the Republic of Moldova has significant potential for tourism development, represented by the geomorphological features of its territory, including all natural monuments, landscape reserves, nature reserves and geological monuments of European and world significance.

Geography

Moldova is a small state in the southeastern part of Europe, bordered on the west by Romania, and on the north, east and south by Ukraine. Moldova is small in area. It can be covered by car in 4 hours. The area of ​​the territory is only 33,845 square kilometers. This is slightly smaller than the Bryansk or Tambov regions of Russia, but slightly larger than European states such as Albania or Belgium.

Moldova occupies most of the interfluve of the Dniester and Prut, as well as a narrow strip of the left bank of the Dniester in its middle and lower reaches. Landlocked. The surface of Moldova is a hilly plain dissected by river valleys. The highest altitudes are in the far north - at the junction with the Volyn-Podolsk Upland, as well as in the Central Moldavian Upland (in Codri), where the highest point of the country is located - Mount Belanesti (429 m). The landscape is mainly steppe with mixed grasses, the hilly terrain is ideal for vineyards and orchards. All rivers of Moldova belong to the Black Sea basin.

Time

Time difference between Moldova and Moscow: -1 hour. Daylight saving time switches to the last Sunday in March at 1 a.m., and back to the last Sunday in October at 1 a.m.

Climate

The climate of Moldova is temperate continental. Winters are mild and short, summers are hot and long. There is little precipitation. Their average annual precipitation ranges from 380-550 mm. The average temperature in January is -4 °C, in July - +21 °C. Autumn is coming gradually. Its first months are characterized by warm and sunny weather. Then the air temperature drops, and the number of days with fogs increases. Winters are characterized by frequent and sharp fluctuations in air temperature. Snow cover lasts one to two months. The weather in spring is very unstable.

The positive features of the climate of Moldova include high temperatures and duration of sunshine. The negative aspects are moisture deficiency, sometimes leading to droughts, as well as heavy rains in the warm season.

Language

Moldovan language is the official name of the dialect of the Romanian language as the state language of Moldova. It is a Moldovan dialect, along with other regional Romanian dialects: Munten, Olten, Ardelen (Transylvanian) and others. In written language since the 14th century. The Cyrillic alphabet was used, which was replaced by the Latin alphabet in the period between the two world wars of the 20th century. During the Soviet period, the Cyrillic alphabet was reintroduced, but after independence, full romanization was carried out.

Religion

In Moldova, 90% of the population professes Orthodoxy. However, there are two Orthodox metropolises in the country - Bessarabian and Moldavian. The Moldavian Metropolis is subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church. The Bessarabian Metropolis is subordinate to the Romanian Orthodox Church and has 124 parishes. In addition, about 0.15% of the population professes the Old Believers. The religious traditions of Orthodoxy are closely intertwined with Moldovan culture, so that even many people who declare themselves atheists continue to participate in religious holidays, attend church, etc.

Population

Population (including the population of the Left Bank) - 3,395 thousand people. Population density 125.7 people. per 1 sq. km. The urban population is 47%, rural - 53%. The national composition of the population reflects the processes taking place in Moldovan society over the past 15 years. The number of Ukrainians decreased by 2.9% compared to 1989, and the number of Russians by 3.9%. The number of Gagauzians increased by 0.3%, and Romanians by 2.1%. At the same time, the number of Bulgarians living in Moldova decreased by 0.1%. It should be noted that most Moldovans, Gagauzes and Bulgarians live in rural areas, while Russians, Romanians and Ukrainians live mainly in cities.

Electricity

Mains voltage 220 - 240 V, current frequency 50 Hz.

Emergency numbers

901 - fire protection

902 - police

903 - ambulance

904 - emergency service

Connection

On the territory of Moldova there are two mobile operators in the GSM and UMTS standards - Orange, Moldcell and two operators in the CDMA standard - Unité and the second in Transnistria - Interdnestrcom. The communication standard is GSM 900. Large Russian operators have roaming. The operator of state secure information and telecommunication systems is the State Enterprise Center for Special Telecommunications.

There are a lot of Internet cafes in Chisinau and Balti; the average cost of an hour on the Internet is $0.5. The connection speed can vary: there are both modern, fast ADSL systems and modem connections. In small towns, the Internet is a rarity.

You can make a call from pay phones located on the streets, as well as at the post office. To pay, you must purchase a telephone card, sold at kiosks or in hotels. To call to Russia, dial 0 + 7 (Russian code) + city code + number of the called subscriber.

Currency exchange

The national currency of Moldova is the Moldovan leu (MDL), equal to 100 bani. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 MDL, as well as coins in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 bani. You can exchange currency at exchange offices, as well as in hotels. Credit cards and tourist checks are accepted only by three banks in Chisinau, with offices located throughout the city.

The Transnistrian Republic has adopted its own currency - the Transnistrian ruble, equal to 100 kopecks. This is a non-convertible currency that does not circulate outside Transnistria. The conditions for exchanging foreign currency for the Transnistrian ruble are extremely strict and are constantly changing due to inflation. The banknote denomination system is extremely confusing. The use of credit cards and travel checks on the territory of Transnistria is almost impossible.

Visa

Citizens of Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan do not require a Moldova visa to visit Moldova for up to 90 days.

By decision of the Parliament of Moldova, visas for citizens of the European Union, the USA, Israel, Canada, Switzerland, Turkey and Japan have been abolished since 2006.

If traveling with children, you must present the following documents:

Child's birth certificate;

The child’s international passport or the parent’s international passport in which the child is registered (for children over six years of age, a photograph must be pasted into the passport);

If a child is traveling accompanied by one of the parents or third parties, a notarized power of attorney is required from the remaining parent to take the child out.

Citizens of countries not included in the list above must apply for visas in advance at the embassies and consulates of Moldova.

The processing time for Moldovan visas at the country's consulates and embassies is usually 2-3 business days. If necessary, a visa can be issued urgently, but an additional 50% of the cost of the visa will be charged.

Types of visa: tourist - single-entry visa for a period of 1 month or double for a period of 1 month, business - single-entry visa for a period of 1 month or double for a period of 1 month, or multiple-entry for a period of 1 month, or multiple-entry visa for a period of 2 months, or multiple-entry visa for a period of 3 months, or a multiple entry visa for a period of 6 months, or a multiple entry visa for a period of 12 months. Transit visa - one-way, double.

All foreign citizens must register with the police within a period not exceeding 3 days from the date of arrival in the country.

Customs regulations

The import of foreign currency into the country is not limited. It is mandatory to declare all banknotes, coins and checks in foreign and local currency. The export of banknotes, coins and checks in foreign currency is permitted within the amount specified in the customs declaration. The import and export of banknotes, coins and checks in an amount not exceeding 2,500 Moldovan lei is allowed. In addition, it is allowed to export banknotes, coins and checks in foreign currency in the amount of up to $50 thousand (or equivalent) from the country. Larger amounts are transferred only by bank transfer. Larger amounts are transferred only by bank transfer. Duty-free import of things is allowed if the imported goods are not intended for industrial or commercial activities or if the quantity of imported goods does not exceed the established standards (they often change, so it is better to consult the consulate on the eve of the trip). If goods are imported or exported in quantities exceeding normal needs, then it is necessary to prove that the goods are not intended for commercial purposes. You are allowed to import any number of items for personal use. When importing firearms, bladed weapons, explosives, and gas cartridges, permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova is required. Jewelry made from precious stones and metals that are not homogeneous, in quantities of up to five units, do not require a declaration.

Holidays and non-working days

March 1: Of the spring holidays, the day March 1 is noteworthy, when people give martisors to their loved ones and acquaintances - symbols of new life and the beginning of spring. Despite the fact that this day is not a day off, there is a sense of excitement on the streets, and the red and white martisors pinned to clothes indicate the solemn mood of their owners. A similar tradition exists not only in Moldova. In neighboring Romania, as well as in Bulgaria, residents also greet the arrival of spring with martisors.

The traditional music festival Martisor is celebrated from March 1 to 10. Both amateur artistic groups and professional performers are invited to the festival.

April: Major religious holidays are also celebrated in the spring, the dates of which are “transitionable,” that is, they change from year to year. Thus, Orthodox Easter is celebrated after the first new moon following the vernal equinox; no less than a week after the Passover. Easter celebration lasts 2 days, which are non-working days. And a week after the start of Easter celebrations, Orthodox Christians celebrate the so-called Memorial Day. These days, it is customary for the whole family to gather at the parental home, as well as visit the graves of loved ones.

August 27: Independence Day of Moldova, celebrated since 1991, is an official holiday.

Along with Independence Day and traditional holidays celebrated in the countries of Christendom, some special holidays are celebrated in Moldova.

August 31: holiday “Limba Noastra” - “Our language”. On this day, residents honor national poets and writers. As a rule, a concert is organized in the center of Chisinau, in which dance ensembles and Moldovan and foreign pop stars take part. August 31 is declared a non-working day in Moldova.

In addition to the usual holidays, numerous festivals are held in Moldova every year. Among them:

- “Maria Bieshu Invites” (a week of opera and ballet with the participation of invited performers from all over the world)

Days of Russian Culture

Days of Ukrainian Culture.

Rock concerts and festivals regularly take place in Chisinau. For example, the annual festival in memory of John Lennon "Ave Beatles"

Transport

The highways of Moldova comprise a network with a total length of 12,300 km. Thanks to the Dniester, Moldova has access to the Black Sea, and the Prut gives it access to the Danube. The most important inland ports on the Dniester are Bendery and Rybnitsa, and on the Prut - Ungheni. The international airport is located in Chisinau.

Bus service in Moldova is very well developed, but at the same time chaotic. Typically, old German minibuses and buses that have served their purpose for a long time are used. In large cities, some of the buses follow a schedule (Chisinau, Balti, Ungheni), in other cities - as they are full.

The leading place in international transportation belongs to railway transport. The main railway lines: Razdelnaya - Tiraspol (PMR) - Bendery (PMR) - Chisinau - Ungheni - Balti - Oknitsa - Chernivtsi, Balti - Rybnitsa (PMR) - Slobodka, Bendery (PMR) - Bessarabka - Reni.

There is no metro in Moldova.

Tips

Tipping is at your discretion. In restaurants, their average amount is 10%. In a taxi, you can round up the fare amount.

The shops

Chisinau stores will satisfy the needs of the most demanding customer, offering a wide variety of goods for every taste.

First of all, there are several supermarket chains in the city, where you can always find fresh products, a wide range of goods and where you will be served by qualified staff.

The very first supermarket in Chisinau - Green Hills Market - is located in the Botanica district and has been providing its customers with goods of both foreign and domestic production for about ten years. Our own confectionery, culinary and meat and dumpling shops produce branded products. Green Hills stores now operate in other areas of the city.

The second well-known chain is Fidesco stores in the Center, on Riscani and Chekany, serving the population and guests of the capital in retail trade.

The supermarket chain “47 Parallel Store No. 1” is today one of the most popular in the city: more than five thousand people visit the store every day. The first “Store No. 1” opened more than two years ago in the city center. The second store was opened in 2002 on the ground floor of the Sun City shopping center. Store No. 1 offers visitors, in addition to food, a wide selection of household goods, as well as household chemicals. The product range includes more than twelve thousand items. Store No. 1 is famous for the products of its culinary workshop, as well as a huge selection of cheeses, both domestic and imported.

The Botanica district became the location of the Cvin chain of stores, which, among all other advantages, are famous for their own culinary products.

National cuisine

Food traditions in Moldova are very stable. Moldavian national cuisine is distinguished by an abundance of vegetables and fruits, all kinds of spices and seasonings. A variety of dishes are prepared from zucchini, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, beans, radishes, onions, pickled and canned vegetables. Seasonings - garlic, pepper, savory - significantly increase the taste, giving them a special aroma and spiciness. Beef, pork, poultry, lamb, and fish are widely used to prepare second courses in Moldavian cuisine. The main methods of heat treatment are frying and stewing. Many meat dishes are fried on a grater (over hot coals on a grate previously greased with bacon). The most typical for Moldovan cuisine is mamaliga, which is prepared from very thickly brewed corn flour. Mamalyga is eaten with borscht, salted fish, cracklings, but mainly with sheep cheese, milk and sour cream. No less popular among Moldovans are chicken soup with vegetables (zame de geine), jellied roosters (resol), snacks such as pureed beans, smoked meat, cabbage rolls, which are often wrapped in grape leaves, dishes cooked on grater - kostitsa, mititei .

National flour products are vertutas and placintas with various minced meats, and sweet dishes include a variety of drinks and fruits.

Especially popular in Moldova are such sweet dishes as nougat, sherbet, halva (alvitsa), quince pastille (kitonoage), marshmallows, soufflé, gogosh, thick fruit and berry juice (peltya).

An integral attribute of Moldovan cuisine is local wine. The wine industry in Moldova is well developed. In addition to many brands of wine from major producers, homemade wine is often served at the table. Many families have their own recipes and grape varieties that are passed down from generation to generation. Among the local grape varieties, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regale, Rara Neagra are known, and among strong ordinary wines - Luchafer, Sherry, Budzhak, Bouquet of Moldova.

Attractions

Moldova has significant tourism potential, consisting of attractions of different types and levels, labor resources, and infrastructure. Its most important part is recreational resources. They are based on natural objects that can be used to meet recreational needs and to organize industries specializing in recreational services.

Chisinau triumphal arch: this architectural monument has several names: Holy Gates, Victory Arch, Arc de Triomphe. The 13-meter-high arch was erected in 1840 and became a decoration of the center of Chisinau.

The lower level of the arch consists of two-way pedestrian walkways and is decorated in Corinthian style. The upper level is decorated in a classic style. A massive bell weighing 6.4 tons is suspended under the dome of the arch, and chimes are built into the pediment.

The history of the creation of the arch is interesting. The Governor-General of Bessarabia M. Vorontsov turned to the Russian Emperor Nicholas I with a petition that 1,500 pounds of copper be allocated for the casting of bells for the Chisinau Cathedral. And the tsar donated to the Chisinau Cathedral some of the Turkish cannons captured as trophies in the Russian-Turkish war.

In Moldova there is the only museum of spirits, built in the shape of a bottle, 28 meters high (the largest building of this shape in the world). Five beautifully decorated halls house a collection of over six thousand types of different alcoholic beverages from more than 100 countries, which includes rare, exclusive, numbered and souvenir copies, some of which are about 300 years old. The walls of the tasting room are made in the shape of a honeycomb. In which wine and cognac bottles are placed. The cozy atmosphere will be complemented by a fireplace and candles, national music, and highly professional staff will serve you. The complex, located 70 km from Chisinau in a picturesque corner, includes apartments with 4* service for one, two or more persons, restaurants, bars, a sauna with a swimming pool, a large tennis court, and a gym.

The capital of Moldova is the city of Chisinau, is also called “a city of white stone, swimming in a sea of ​​greenery.” It is located in a beautiful river valley. Bull. Chisinau becomes uniquely beautiful thanks to the original architectural creations of the great architects Bernardazzi, Shchusev and others. A whole host of personalities lived and worked in the city who made a huge contribution to the development of national culture, and during the years of exile the great Russian poet A.S. created his masterpieces here. Pushkin. Immersed in green parks, the city center has been preserved in the style of the mid-19th century, without a large number of modern high-rise buildings. These are mainly buildings of a governmental and public nature, made in the spirit of modern architecture.

The oldest church in Chisinau: the oldest architectural structure in the city is the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, which has long been known in the city as Mazarakievskaya. The church building was built in 1757, presumably by Vasily Mazaraki, a military official and treasurer.

Moldova is a country of vineyards and winemaking. Unfortunately, most of the famous wineries can only be visited on officially sanctioned tours, but this is more than compensated for by the impressions of the visit. Cricova, located 15 km north of Chisinau, is the starting point for wine tours. This is an almost entirely underground city with a labyrinth of underground streets stretching for more than 60 km. All the streets are named after wine varieties, so you can wander along Rue Cabernet and then visit Rue Pinot or Boulevard Isabella.

Bendery (Tigina)- one of the oldest cities in Moldova. Its beautiful 17th-century fortress, as well as the city itself, was seriously damaged during recent ethnic conflicts. Balti (150 km north of the capital) is the main industrial center of the country. The main products from this area are sugar, vegetable oils and furs. In the vicinity of the city there are a large number of hiking and horse riding routes, passing through picturesque small villages, each of which is an almost complete open-air museum, and the homemade wines and folk cuisine of the area are known throughout the country.

Resorts

Resorts in Moldova are valued for their uniqueness and sophistication. The most famous resort in Moldova is Sergeevka. It is located on the shore of Lake Budak. There are many medical sanatoriums here that will gladly welcome vacationers and people in need of improving their health. In the sanatoriums there are departments of hardware physiotherapy, there are also equipped rooms for physical therapy and much more, which allows a person to remain healthy at an unusually young age, even when old age has begun to creep up on him imperceptibly, leaving its marks on his face in the form of wrinkles and settling shortness of breath in the lungs.

You should definitely visit such a city in Moldova as Cahul. The city is known for its thermal and mineral resorts; during the existence of the USSR, its mud baths were extremely popular. The balneological resorts of Tyrdzhauk springs are also well known.

There has always been a flow of tourists to the cities of the Transnistrian region of the country. Bendery, Balti, Cahul attract travelers with medieval architectural buildings, as well as numerous churches and temples. In Kahul, moreover, thermal mineral springs are located right within the city limits, and here you can visit a beautiful natural reserve of medicinal herbs.

City Bendery It is considered the historical center of Moldova, where there is a history museum and many buildings from the 19th century. In the suburb of Varnice there is a museum in honor of Charles 12, and here a source of healing mineral water, which is very famous outside the country, broke through the thickness of the earth layers and looked out. But in the vicinity of the city you can visit the Turkish garden in Talmazi, the Noul Neamt monastery, Hirbovets, which houses a dendrological park.

There are 5 professors operating in the republic. san. (2550 places) for patients with diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, organs of movement and support, digestion, breathing, as well as gynecological diseases; 11 san. under the jurisdiction of health authorities (main treatment for the treatment of adults and children suffering from various forms of tuberculosis); 11 professional holiday homes and boarding houses (approx. 7000 beds). He is in charge of medical and health institutions in the resorts of Sergeevka (Odessa region) and Koblevo (Nikolaev region).

The city is definitely worth a visit Magpie, in which at the beginning of the second millennium the inhabitants built a fortress, it withstood more than a dozen battles. Standing near the fortress itself, it seems that one can still distinguish the screams of the assault of the attackers and the muffled roar of the besieged. To the south of this city, on the banks of the Dniester, there is a recreation area called Trifauti.

For excursions, interesting monuments, museums and theaters of Chisinau, as well as historical-architectural. monuments: fortresses in Soroki and Bendery (16th century), the Church of the Assumption in the city of Causeni (beginning of the 18th century) and in the monastery. Caprians (16th century). In Old Orhei (near the city of Orhei) the remains of a castle (14th - 15th centuries) have been preserved, in Saharna and Zhabka there are cave monasteries (16th - 17th centuries), etc.

Small Moldova is often simply not noticed on the map of Europe. For some reason, it is believed that Moldova is a kind of “Romania in miniature”. This is partly true, of course. But, nevertheless, Moldova is an independent, unique state that will appeal to any traveler. Moldova has medieval monasteries, churches, fortresses, and other interesting sights. In addition, this country has several balneological resorts and, of course, a lot of wine.

Geography of Moldova

Moldova is located in Eastern Europe. In the west it borders with Romania, and in the north, south and east – with Ukraine. The total area of ​​Moldova is 33,846 square meters. km., and the total length of the border is 1,389 km.

About 13% of the territory of Moldova is occupied by forests; the highest point in the country is Mount Balanesti, whose height reaches 430 meters.

Capital

The capital of Moldova is the city of Chisinau, whose population now numbers more than 730 thousand people. Human settlement on the territory of modern Chisinau appeared in the first half of the 15th century.

Official language

In Moldova, the official language is Moldovan, which belongs to the Romance language family.

Religion

The vast majority of the population of Moldova (more than 93%) professes Orthodox Christianity. However, there is also a small number of Protestants in the country (more than 1.9%).

State structure of Moldova

According to the 1994 Constitution, Moldova is a parliamentary republic, the head of which is the President, elected by deputies of the local Parliament. The Moldovan Parliament consists of 101 deputies.

Deputies of the Moldovan Parliament are elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 4 years.

Climate and weather

The climate in Moldova is temperate continental with mild and dry winters and warm summers. The average air temperature in January is -4C, and in summer +20C. As for precipitation, in the north of Moldova the average annual precipitation is 600 mm, and in the south – 400 mm.

Rivers and lakes

There are several large rivers in Moldova. These are, first of all, the Dniester, Prut, and Reut. In addition, Moldova has 600 meters of Danube coastline.

As for the lakes in Moldova, there are almost 60 of them in this country. The largest of them are Beleu, Drachele, Manta, and Rotunda.

History of Moldova

The first people appeared on the territory of modern Moldova approximately 6,500 years ago. During the Chalcolithic period, tribes of the Trypillian and Gumelnitsa cultures lived in Moldova. Then the Cimmerians, Thracians, and even Scythians lived on the territory of modern Moldova.

At the beginning of the 6th century, the Slavs appeared in Moldova, and in the 10th century, the Polovtsians appeared. Then a significant part of Moldova became part of the Mongol-Tatar Golden Horde.

Only in 1359 was the Principality of Moldova formed, which was dependent on Poland. In 1456, the Principality of Moldova became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire.

In the 18th century, Moldova fell into the sphere of interests of the Russian Empire. As a result of long wars with the Ottoman Empire, after the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace, the Principality of Moldova actually became part of the Russian Empire.

In accordance with the Treaty of Bucharest in 1812, Moldova officially became part of Russia, while enjoying greater autonomy. In 1871, Moldova was transformed into the Bessarabia province within Russia.

In January 1918, Bessarabia declared its independence from Russia. As a result of the turbulent events of the first half of the 20th century, part of Moldova (Bessarabia) was annexed to Romania, and the rest of the country formed the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, within the USSR.

In 1940, Romania, under pressure from the USSR, was forced to agree to the annexation of Bessarabia to the Moldavian SSR.

In the 1970-80s, the Moldavian SSR received significant funds from the USSR budget for the development of industry, science and housing construction. At this time, the standard of living in Moldova was one of the highest in the entire USSR.

In August 1991, Moldova declared its independence. After this, the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic was created in Tiraspol, which is now classified as the so-called. "unrecognized" republics.

Culture

Moldova is located at the intersection of Slavic and Latin (Catholic) cultures. Thanks to this, Moldovan culture is very original and unique.

The most popular holidays in Moldova are New Year, Christmas, Independence Day, National Language Day, “Martisor” (welcoming spring), Easter, Trinity, and National Wine Day.

The Martisor holiday is celebrated in Moldova every year on March 1. On this day, Moldovans give each other chains decorated with flowers - Martisors. This means that Spring defeats Winter.

Cuisine of Moldova

Moldavian cuisine is very similar to the cuisine of Romania. At the same time, Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish culinary traditions also had a noticeable influence on Moldovan cuisine. The main products of Moldavian cuisine are meat (beef, pork), potatoes, cabbage.

We definitely recommend that tourists in Moldova try “Zama” soup, lamb chorba, borscht with corn grains, Moldavian schnitzel, mamaliga (porridge made from corn), “olivanka” (a dish made from corn, sheep cheese, pork and flour), placinda with a variety of fillings (baked goods), sarali with cottage cheese (reminiscent of pies), and much more.

Moldova is famous for its wines. In general, there is a kind of cult of wine in Moldova. Every year on the second Sunday of October, Moldova celebrates “Wine Day”. In addition, Moldovans produce several good brands of cognac.

Sights of Moldova

The centuries-old history of Moldova is reflected in a large number of different attractions. The top ten best Moldovan attractions, in our opinion, include the following:


Cities and resorts

The largest cities in Moldova are Rybnitsa, Balti, and, of course, Chisinau.

There are many thermal and mineral springs in Moldova. Balneological resorts have been built near some of them. Thus, the mineral springs of the Moldovan city of Cahul were known back in Soviet times.

Souvenirs/shopping

Office hours

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00

The shops:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-17:00

Offices:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00

Visa

Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to enter Moldova (if the duration of the trip does not exceed 90 days); they only need to present their Ukrainian passport at customs.

Currency of Moldova

The Moldovan Leu (its international designation: MDL) is the official currency of Moldova. One Moldovan leu = 100 bani. All major credit cards are accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants in Chisinau.

Customs restrictions

You can import foreign currency into Moldova without restrictions; we recommend declaring the money. It is prohibited to import firearms into Moldova without permission, and animals can only be imported with a veterinary certificate.

Form of government parliamentary republic The president Igor Dodon Prime Minister Pavel Philip Chairman
parliament Andrian Candu Territory 135th in the world Total 33,846 km² % water surface 1,4 Population Score (2017) ▼ 3,550,900 people (131st) Census (2014) ▼ 2,913,281 people Density 119.8 people/km² GDP (PPP) Total (2015) $17.908 billion (142nd) Per capita $5039 (132nd) GDP (nominal) Total (2015) $6.551 billion Per capita 1845. dollars HDI (2014) ▲ 0.693 ( average; 107th place) Currency Moldovan leu (MDL, code 498) Internet domain .md ISO code M.D. IOC code MDA Telephone code +373 Time Zones UTC+2, in summer UTC+3
Largest cities in Moldova

Number City Population Number City Population
1 723,500 (2012) 11 25,600 (2012)
2 148,900 (2011) 12 22,800 (2012)
3 144,300 (2012) 13 21,200 (2012)
4 93,700 (2011) 14 20,400 (2012)
5 50,100 (2011) 15 20,200 (2012)
6 Cahul 41,100 (2012) 16 19,900 (2012)
7 38,100 (2012) 17 Durlesti 18,700 (2012)
8 37,500 (2012) 18 17,800 (2012)
9 33,500 (2012) 19 16,900 (2012)
10 25,700 (2011) 20 Vulcanesti 16,900 (2012)
Source: Population Census of Moldova (2004); Notes: 1.World Gazetteer. Moldova: largest cities 2004. 2.Pridnestrovie.net 2004 Census 2004. 3. National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova

Moldova(Mold. and Roman. Moldova), officially - The Republic of Moldova(Mold. and Roman. Republica Moldova) - a state in. Borders with and. The territory area is 33,846 km², but de facto about 12.3% of the territory (the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic) is not controlled by the authorities. The population according to the results of the 2014 census is 2,913,281 people, according to the current estimate as of January 1, 2017 - 3,550,900 people. It ranks 118th in the world in terms of population and 135th in terms of territory. It has no access to the sea.

Capital - . Unitary parliamentary republic. Since December 23, 2016, the post of president has been occupied by Igor Dodon. Prime Minister - Pavel Filip. It is administratively divided into 32 districts, 13 municipalities, 1 autonomous territorial entity (Gagauzia) and administrative-territorial units of the left bank of the Dniester.

The majority of believers (about 93% of the population, according to the 2004 census) profess Orthodoxy.

The GDP volume for 2012 amounted to 7.559 billion US dollars (about 2128 US dollars per capita). The monetary unit is the Moldovan leu (as of January 1, 2017, 1 Moldovan leu was equal to 3 Russian rubles).

The country's independence from the USSR was declared on August 27, 1991. From 1918 to 1940, most of the territory of present-day Moldova was part of the Kingdom of Romania after the local government, Sfatul Tarii, voted for the inclusion of the Moldavian Democratic Republic in its composition. From 1945 to 1991, as a union republic, it was part of the USSR under the name of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (since June 5, 1990 - the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova).

Etymology

The name of the country Moldova (Moldova) comes from the name of the Moldova River. According to legend, it was in the Moldavian basin that the original center of the Moldavian principality was located.

Geography

Geographical position

Moldova is located in the extreme southwest of the East European Plain, in the second time zone, and occupies most of the interfluve of the Dniester and Prut, as well as a narrow strip of the left bank of the Dniester in its middle and lower reaches (Transnistria), over which Moldova lost actual control in early 1990s. Having no access to the sea, the country geographically gravitates towards the Black Sea region, while Moldova has access to the Danube (the length of the coastline is 600 m).

Moldova

In the north, east and south, Moldova borders with, in the west - with. The area of ​​the country is 33.7 thousand km². The territory of Moldova extends from north to south for 350 km, from west to east - 150 km. Extreme points of the country: in the north - the village of Naslavcha (48°29" N), in the south - the village (45°28" N), in the west - the village of Kriva (26°30" E) , in the east - the village of Palanka (30°05" E).

Physiographic characteristics

The surface of Moldova is a hilly plain dissected by river valleys. The average height above sea level is 147 m, the maximum is 429.5 m (Mount Balanesti). Minerals: limestone, gypsum, clay, glass sand, gravel, small oil and gas deposits.

The climate is moderate continental. Winters are mild and short, summers are hot and long. The average temperature in January is −4 °C, in July +21 °C. Absolute minimum −36 °C, maximum +42 °C. The average annual precipitation ranges from 380-550 mm. On August 7, 2012, the highest air temperature in the summer season for the entire observation period was observed on the territory of the Republic of Moldova - +42.4 ℃ (g).

All rivers of Moldova belong to the Black Sea basin. The largest rivers are the Dniester and Prut. There are many floodplain lakes in the river valleys. The soils are predominantly chernozem (75%). Most of the territory of Moldova is plowed. Steppe vegetation has been preserved only in small areas. Forests occupy 6% of the territory. Natural areas: North Moldavian forest-steppe (Toltry), Central Moldavian forest (Codri), South Moldavian steppe.

Story

Soroca Fortress

Territory (XIV-XVIII centuries) and divisions (XVII-XX centuries) of the Moldavian Principality

Bessarabia as part of Romania (1918-1940)

Governorate of Bessarabia (1941-1944)

The Principality of Moldova against the backdrop of the borders of modern states

The coat of arms of Moldavia, carved on the wall of the church in the Cetatsuya monastery in Iasi

Until the 14th century, the territory of modern Moldova, at different times, was part of the possessions of various tribal unions (Geto-Dacians, Goths, Antes, Tivertsy) and state entities (Kievan Rus, the Principality of Galicia, the Golden Horde). From the second half of the 14th century - as part of the Principality of Moldova, in the 16th-18th centuries - under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The 16th-century Polish historian Leonardo Gorecki, speaking about Moldavia and the Moldovans, noted:

In 1711, the Moldavian ruler Dmitry Cantemir swore allegiance to Russia. As a result of the Prut campaign, which was unsuccessful for the Russian army, he, his family and courtiers moved to Russia, where he became one of Peter I’s close associates.

Moldavian SSR 1940

At the end of the 18th century, as a result of the Russian-Turkish war, the left bank of the Dniester went to the Russian Empire, and in 1812 - Bessarabia. In 1858-1861, the Principality of Moldova and Wallachia united into a state, which later received the name.

In 1917, the Moldavian Democratic Republic was proclaimed. In 1918, Bessarabia became part of Romania (while the Soviet government considered Bessarabia an “occupied part of Soviet territory”). In 1924, the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR.

Map of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, designating Bessarabia as the territory of “Romanian occupation”

In June 1940, as a result of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Romania was forced to cede Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the USSR. As a result, the Moldavian SSR was formed. During the Great Patriotic War, in 1941-1944, it was occupied by German and Romanian troops; The Romanian administration established the Governorate of Bessarabia. 120 thousand residents of Moldova, including 90 thousand Jews, were killed and died in concentration camps. On August 24, 1944, as a result of the Iasi-Kishinev operation, the territory of Bessarabia was returned to Soviet control. Soon after this, according to a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the eviction from the territory of Moldova of “former landowners, large traders, active collaborators of the German occupiers, persons who collaborated with German authorities police, members of pro-fascist parties and organizations, White Guards, as well as families of all of the above categories”, 35 thousand residents of Moldova were “dispossessed”, repressed and deported to Kazakhstan and Siberia (they were allowed to return to Moldova after 1957). With the help of other republics of the USSR The restoration and construction of the economy of the Moldavian SSR began. (see Moldavian SSR). At the same time, active “Sovietization” of the republic began, expressed in the introduction of the Russian language, as well as the promotion of party workers from neighboring republics to leadership positions. At the same time, unlike other Soviet republics, in Moldova this did not cause any significant protest or political unrest.

The conflict between the Moldovan and Transnistrian authorities, which began in 1989, in 1992 led to armed confrontation and numerous casualties on both sides. The fighting was stopped thanks to the intervention and, in particular, thanks to the presence of Russian armed forces on the territory of Transnistria. Currently, security in the conflict zone is ensured by the Joint Peacekeeping Forces of Russia, Moldova, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and military observers from Ukraine. During numerous negotiations mediated by Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE, it has not yet been possible to reach an agreement on the status of Transnistria. Relations between the parties to the conflict remain tense.

A Constitution was adopted in 1994, which is still in force.

In April 2009, anti-government riots occurred in Chisinau.

Population

At the time of the declaration of independence of Moldova in 1991, its population was over 4.3 million people. According to the current statistical assessment, as of January 1, 2017, the resident population of Moldova was 3,550,900 people. (excluding Transnistria (PMR)).

The population counted according to the results of the 2014 census was 2,913,281 people, including 329,108 people who were abroad at the time of the census, but were counted by members of their families.

The population of the republic, according to the 2004 census, was 3,383,332 people (excluding the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic). Of these, 3158.0 thousand, or 93.3% of the population, are registered as Orthodox. The population density is 111.4 people. per km². The bulk of the population, or 75.8% (according to the 2004 census) are Moldovans. Also living: Ukrainians - 8.4%, Russians - 5.9%, Gagauz - 4.4%, Romanians - 2 .2%, Bulgarians - 1.9%, etc.

In the 2004 census, 78.8% of the country's population indicated the language of their nationality as their mother tongue (the first language acquired in early childhood), and 20.8% indicated other languages ​​that do not coincide with their nationality. Among Moldovans, 78.4% indicated Moldovan as their mother tongue, 18.8% - Romanian, 2.5% - Russian and 0.3% - other languages. Among Ukrainians, 64.1% indicated Ukrainian as their native language, and 31.8% indicated Russian. Among Russians, 97.2% indicated the language of their nationality as their native language. The Gagauz, like the Russians, for the most part indicated the language of their nationality as their native language - 92.3%, and 5.8% - Russian. Bulgarians with Bulgarian as their mother tongue made up 81.0%, and 13.9% indicated Russian as their mother tongue.

Despite the fact that the majority of Ukrainians, Gagauzes, and Bulgarians indicated the language of their nationality as their native language, every second Ukrainian, every third Bulgarian and every fourth Gagauz usually speak Russian. Moldovans, who usually speak Russian, made up 5.0% of their total population.

Among national minorities, 6.2% of Ukrainians, 4.4% of Russians, 1.9% of Gagauzians, 2.2% of Romanians and 7.1% of Bulgarians speak Moldovan.

Among Moldovan citizens, 12,705 people indicated dual citizenship. 390 people did not indicate their citizenship.

The territorial distribution of the population showed that 21% of residents (every fifth) live in, 4.6% - in ATU Gagauzia, 3.8% - in. Large areas with a population of more than 100 thousand inhabitants -,. Small districts - (29 thousand), (34 thousand), (42 thousand) and (43 thousand).

Data from the last two censuses show that during the period 1989-2004 the country's population decreased by 274 thousand people, with an average annual rate of decline of 0.5%. The decrease in numbers over this period is due to a decrease in the birth rate and a negative balance of external migration.

The 2004 census confirmed the predominance of the share of the rural population in the total population, which amounted to 61.4% against 57.9% in 1989.

During the intercensus period, the urban population decreased by an average of 1.0% per year, and the rural population by 0.13%, thus increasing the percentage gap between these categories of the population.

Population density during the intercensal period decreased from 120.4 to 111.4 people per 1 km².

In 2008, about 25 thousand marriages were registered, which is 2 thousand less than in 2007. The total fertility rate in 2016 (the average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime) was 1.56 (2016 CIA estimates).

A significant part of the working-age population is in labor migration in Russia. In January 2015, there were 561 thousand migrants - citizens of Moldova - in Russia at the same time.

Administrative division

Administratively, Moldova is divided into 32 districts, 13 municipalities (, Cahul, and), 1 autonomous territorial entity (Gagauzia) and administrative-territorial units of the left bank of the Dniester.

There are 65 cities and 917 villages in Moldova.

On the territory of Moldova there is an unrecognized state, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, which is completely not under the control of Chisinau. Under its control is the main part of the left bank of the Dniester, as well as the city and a number of villages on the right bank.

State structure

Map of Moldova

The president

The President is the head of state of Moldova.

The President of the Republic of Moldova is elected by direct secret free vote of citizens. In the period 1999-2015, the president was elected by secret ballot of members of Parliament. After numerous protests and a request to the Constitutional Court from a group of deputies, on March 5, 2016, the law amending the Constitution, giving Parliament the right to elect the president, was declared unconstitutional.

  • Mircea Snegur - September 3, 1990 - January 15, 1997
  • Piotr Luchinsky - January 15, 1997 - April 7, 2001
  • Vladimir Voronin - April 7, 2001 - September 11, 2009
  • Mihai Ghimpu (acting) - September 11, 2009 - December 28, 2010
  • Vladimir Filat (acting) - from December 28 to December 30, 2010
  • Marian Lupu (acting) - from December 30, 2010 to March 23, 2012
  • Nikolay Timofti - from March 23, 2012 to December 23, 2016
  • Igor Dodon - since December 23, 2016 - current president

On April 4, 2005, deputies from the Communist Party, as well as deputies from the Christian Democratic People's Party, the Democratic Party of Moldova and the Social Liberal Party re-elected Vladimir Voronin to the post of president.

In 2001, at the initiative of the PCRM, the parliament adopted amendments according to which, after two unsuccessful attempts to elect a president, the parliament was dissolved and repeat elections were called.

The Communist Party went to the 2001 elections under the slogans of strengthening social policy, restoring the economy, supporting collective forms of farming in rural areas, and strengthening relations with Russia and the CIS as a whole. However, in November 2003, relations between Russia and Moldova deteriorated when it was impossible to sign a plan prepared by Russia for resolving the conflict between Moldova and Transnistria, which provided for the federalization of Moldova.

Just before the elections, Vladimir Voronin met with Viktor Yushchenko in Kyiv, and then received Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili in Chisinau. This gave observers a reason to talk about the creation of a new “triple alliance” of post-Soviet states directed against Russia. However, in the press V. Voronin repeatedly noted that Russia was and remains a strategic partner of Moldova.

Finding himself in opposition to the new government of the country, on September 11, 2009, Vladimir Voronin resigned as president.

On September 5, 2010, a nationwide referendum was held to determine the form of presidential elections in Moldova, which was declared invalid. According to data posted on the website of the Central Election Commission of the Republic, 30.98% of voters took part in it, with a turnout threshold of 33.33%.

On March 16, 2012, deputies from the Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party, Liberal Party, Socialist Party and independent deputy Mihai Godea elected Nikolai Timofti as President of the Republic with their votes.

Parliament

Parliament building of Moldova

The country's highest legislative body is the unicameral parliament (101 seats).

Deputies are elected for 4 years according to a proportional system with a four percent barrier (since 2010). In 2009 the barrier was five percent, in 2008-2009. - six percent, and until 2008 the barrier was four percent.

The first parliamentary elections after the declaration of Moldova's independence from the USSR in 1991 took place in 1994. According to their results, the Agrarian Democratic Party received 56 mandates, the Socialist Party - “Unity” bloc received 28, the Democratic Forces Party received 11 mandates, and the Alliance of the Christian Democratic Popular Front received 9 mandates. Petru Lucinschi was elected Chairman of Parliament.

In the 2001 elections, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) received an overwhelming majority (71 seats). The Braghis Alliance (19 seats) and the Christian Democratic Party (11 seats) also entered parliament. Evgenia Ostapchuk became the Speaker of Parliament

On March 6, 2005, the next elections took place. The Communists won the majority of votes (46.1%) and seats in parliament (56 out of 101) for the second time in a row. This time, the leader of the PCRM announced that he will focus on joining the European Union, and intends to transform the party into a “European party of a new type.”

In the elections of April 5, 2009, the PCRM won again (49.48% of the vote, 60 seats in parliament). The three opposition parties that won seats in parliament totaled about 35% of the vote. International observers from the OSCE called the elections “generally free.” The opposition disputed the election results, claiming fraud. On April 6, protests were organized in the center of Chisinau. On April 7, the demonstration got out of control and escalated into riots, as a result of which the buildings of the Parliament and Presidency of Moldova were damaged. By the morning of April 8, the riots were stopped. About 200 people were detained. Peaceful protests continued for a week, their main demand was the release of demonstrators previously detained by law enforcement agencies.

Opposition parties boycotted the presidential elections, as a result of which, according to the Moldovan constitution, the parliament was dissolved, and repeat parliamentary elections were held on July 29, 2009. The Communist Party won a relative victory, taking 44.69% of the votes and taking 48 seats.

However, the remaining 4 parties that entered Parliament: the Liberal Party (15 mandates), the Democratic Party of Moldova (13 mandates), the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (18 mandates) and the center-right Alliance “Our Moldova” (7 mandates), united into the Alliance for a European Integration I and formed a parliamentary majority (53 votes out of 101).

The Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, led by Vladimir Voronin, went into opposition, unable to find allies to form a majority.

Election campaign in 2010

Due to the non-election of the country's president, on September 28, 2010, the acting President of Moldova, Mihai Ghimpu, signed a decree dissolving parliament and scheduled early parliamentary elections for November 28, 2010. As a result of these elections, 4 parties entered Parliament: the Communist Party (42 seats), the Liberal -Democratic Party (32 seats), Democratic Party (15 seats) and Liberal Party (12 seats). The Liberal Democrats, Democrats and Liberals formed the parliamentary majority “Alliance for European Integration II” (59 seats). Marian Lupu became the Speaker of Parliament.

In March 2012, the candidate of the Alliance for European Integration, Nicolae Timofti, was elected President of the Republic of Moldova. On May 2, 2012, Nikolai Timofti promulgated the Law on Amendments and Additions to Law No. 100 on Civil Status Statutes; as a result of this law, citizens of the Republic of Moldova can indicate Romanian citizenship in their identity card if they self-identify as Romanians.

Political groups Government of Pavel Filip (51) PDM (42) EPPM (9) Opposition (44) PSRM (24) PL (9) PCRM (6) PLDM (5) Crossbench (6) Independent candidate (6)

24 candidates participated in the Parliamentary elections on November 30, 2014. The turnout was 57.28%. The parliamentary seats in parliament were distributed as follows: PSRM - 25 seats, PLDM - 23, PCRM - 21, PDM - 19 and PL - 13.

On October 30 and November 13, 2016, presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova took place after, according to the decision of the Constitutional Court of March 4, 2016, presidential elections became a direct vote of citizens. The first round of voting was approved on October 30, 2016 with a participation rate of 50.95% and 1/3 of voters on the electoral lists exceeded. Since none of the 9 candidates for the post of President of the Republic of Moldova collected 50% of the votes, according to data in accordance with the law, the second vote was organized on November 13, 2016. The fight was given to the first two candidates who received the most votes on October 30 - Igor Dodon and Maia Sandu. Those present at the vote were 53.45%, and Igor Dodon was elected President of the Republic of Moldova.

Government

Official language

During the period when Moldova was part of the USSR, the 1977 USSR Constitution did not contain the concept of a state language, since the equality of all languages ​​of the peoples of the USSR was declared. Office work and legislation of the union republics, including the MSSR, were conducted in the language of the union republic, as well as in the language spoken by the majority of the population, that is, in Moldavian and Russian. At the same time, in 1989, the “reality of the Moldovan-Romanian linguistic identity” and writing based on the Latin alphabet were legislated; only the Moldovan language received state status.

In the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova of 1991, Romanian is declared the state language. The Constitution of Moldova of 1994 established the Moldovan language, operating on the basis of the Latin script, as the state language of the Republic of Moldova. On December 5, 2013, the Constitutional Court of the Republic ruled that legally the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution constitute a single whole and, in case of discrepancies, the Declaration of Independence prevails over the Constitution, and decided to recognize the Romanian language as the state language of Moldova. However, the Parliament did not make any changes to the basic law of the country on this issue. Currently (2018) in the text of the Constitution, as well as in many other legal acts, the syntagm “Moldavian language” is preserved.

Some modern linguists believe that “Romanian” and “Moldovan” are different names (linguonyms) of the same language, while other sources consider the Moldavian language, along with Romanian, to be one of the Eastern Romance languages.

Status of other languages

The Russian language has the status of a language of interethnic communication. In the autonomous territorial entity of Gagauzia, the status of the official (non-state) language is given to the Moldovan, Gagauz and Russian languages. In the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the official languages ​​are Moldovan, Russian and Ukrainian (both according to the legislation of the Republic of Moldova and the Constitution of the PMR).

Foreign policy

European Union

Moldova and the European Union

Moldova is not a full member of the European Union. The volume of implemented programs of financial support for the republic from the European Union amounted to only 270 million euros in 1991-2009. The role of the EU in the country's foreign trade gradually increased: in 2004-2011, the share of EU-27 countries in Moldovan exports increased from 41% to 49% (the share of CIS-12 countries during this period fell from 51% to 42%). The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Moldova, mainly focusing on trade and financial cooperation, came into force in 1998. In February 2005, the European Union adopted the EU-Republic of Moldova Action Plan within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy program, which aimed to support Moldova's efforts to “further integrate into the economic and social structures of Europe.” In March 2005, a special representative of the European Union in Moldova was appointed, whose mandate was planned to focus on coordinating the EU contribution to the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, and in the fall of the same year, an official EU representative office was opened in Chisinau.

  • On January 12, 2010, Moldova began negotiations with the European Union on signing an associate membership agreement.
  • On November 11, 2010, the Prime Minister of the Republic, Vladimir Filat, announced that Moldova would apply to join the EU in 2011.

In the spring of 2011, the EU-Moldova economic forum was held in Chisinau, initiated by Poland, whose Prime Minister stated that Poland “during its EU presidency from July 1, 2011, will unconditionally support Moldova on its European path and make efforts to resolve the Transnistrian conflict.” As a result, on November 29, 2013, Moldova tentatively approved an agreement on associate membership in the EU.

An important stage in the relationship was the approval of the European Commission Directive on the “liberalization of the visa regime with EU member states and Schengen countries” in 2014.

Russia

In 2006, a diplomatic conflict arose after on March 27 of the same year, Rospotrebnadzor introduced a ban on the export of Moldovan wines to Russia, causing serious damage to the economy of Moldova, arguing that the large volume of alcoholic products imported into the Russian Federation did not meet sanitary safety. After this, Rospotrebnadzor issued import permits for seven enterprises, but President Voronin banned them from exporting until the problem was fully resolved. In the summer of 2007, more than 40 Moldovan enterprises again underwent a sanitary and epidemiological examination and supplies were resumed.

On July 2, 2014, the Moldovan Parliament ratified the Association Agreement with the EU, signed on June 27 in Brussels.
On July 7, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov threatened to exclude Moldova from the CIS free trade zone, which would lead to a transition to the most favored nation regime, which sets a weighted average tariff on supplies of goods of 7.8 percent. Next, the Ministry of Economic Development prepared a government resolution, according to which Russia intends to unilaterally introduce duties on certain types of Moldovan products (wine, meat, grain, sugar, fruits and vegetables).
On July 18, Rosselkhoznadzor banned the import of Moldovan apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries and cherries into Russia due to the possible introduction of a pest - the Oriental codling moth. Peaches, nectarines, plums and sloe were also banned. And on July 21, Rospotrebnadzor announced the suspension of the import of Moldovan canned fruit and vegetable products into the territory of the Russian Federation due to violations of legislative requirements in the field of consumer protection.

At the beginning of July, broadcasting of the Russian federal TV channel “Russia-24” was banned in Moldova for propaganda, as well as incorrect, in the opinion of the Moldovan authorities, coverage of events in Ukraine.

Ukraine

The length of the border between Moldova and Moldova is 985 km. Ukrainians are the second largest ethnic group in Moldova after Moldovans (442,346 people, who make up 11.2% of the total population). Moldovans are the fourth largest national minority in Ukraine (as of 2001, there were 258,600 Moldovans in Ukraine, that is, 0.5% of the country's total population).

Since the formation of the Principality of Moldova, Moldovans lived in Ukraine, and Ukrainians lived in Moldova. A famous Moldovan who lived in Kyiv and made an extremely important contribution to Ukrainian culture was Peter Mohyla (1596-1647). The Odessa region “Moldavanka” and the area in Kyiv “Bessarabka” are associated with the Moldovans.

The main tourist attractions in Moldova include Europe's largest wine cellars and Small Milesti and visits to the medieval monasteries of Moldova.

In addition, the sanatoriums of Moldova in the cities of Calarasi and Cahul have balneotherapy clinics.

The left bank of the Dniester and the city of Bendery are outside the control of the Moldovan authorities, and visiting these places is associated with crossing the Dniester security zone controlled by the joint Moldovan-Russian-Transnistrian peacekeeping contingent, as well as obtaining permission to stay on the territory of the PMR from local border guards.

    Radio Bessarabia in 1940

    The national regulator is the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technologies (ANRCETI). On the territory of Moldova there are two mobile operators in the GSM and UMTS standards - Orange, Moldcell and two operators in the CDMA standard - Unité and the second in Transnistria - Interdnestrcom. Due to financial problems, the operator Eventis has had its license suspended and services are not provided. Mobile penetration as of December 31, 2009 was 78.1% with the number of subscribers 2,785,000 (excluding Transnistria). In addition, there are fixed-line operators - Moldtelecom, Arax, StarNet, Calea Ferată din Moldova, Sicres and others. Moldtelecom has a market share of fixed network subscribers of about 95%. The main Internet providers are Moldtelecom, Arax, StarNet, SunCommunications.

    The operator of state secure information and telecommunication systems is the State Enterprise Center for Special Telecommunications (in accordance with Government Decree No. 735 of June 11, 2002 “On special telecommunication systems of the Republic of Moldova”).

    Culture

    Literature

    The Moldovan people preserve a very rich and ancient literature, which is known far beyond its borders.

    Folklore

    Moldavian folklore in the Republic is based on deep Daco-Latin roots and represents a system of folk beliefs and customs, with concrete expression in music and dance, oral poetry and prose, mythology, rituals, folk theater, etc. This cultural heritage, in its entirety manifestations, the area of ​​national art is of great, special value, is not only the basis of its cultural form, but has also continued to develop in the modern era, providing professional culture with its ethnic originality.

    Education

    There are 18 public and 11 private higher educational institutions in Moldova. Also:

    • 1559 schools, gymnasiums, lyceums;
    • 51 colleges;
    • 1295 kindergartens;
    • 8 health structures;
    • 56 children's camps;
    • 116 hospital facilities.

    University graduates were:

    • 17.4 thousand people in 2005;
    • 104.4 thousand people from 1998 to 2005

    In 2015, Romania allocated 5,000 scholarships to study at higher schools and universities for Moldovan students.

    The science

    The republic inherited a network of scientific institutions and universities from the Soviet past. But during the period of independence, the scientific sphere experienced a severe crisis - for example, the annual number of patent applications for inventions in the country decreased from 533 in 1994 to 108 in 2011.

    The Academy of Sciences of Moldova is the highest scientific institution of Moldova, the leading center for fundamental research in the field of natural and social sciences in the country.

    Religion

    The most widespread denomination is Orthodoxy, whose adherents make up, according to the 2004 census, 93.3% of the country's population.

    On the territory of Moldova there are two parallel (which is usually considered a canonical anomaly) Orthodox jurisdictions related to canonically recognized autocephalous Churches: the Bessarabian Metropolis of the Romanian Church and the more numerous Moldavian-Kishinev Metropolis (Orthodox Church of Moldova) in the canonical jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.

    Moldovan Protestants (about 100 thousand believers) are represented by Baptists, Pentecostals, Adventists, and charismatics.

    Also, there are believers of other faiths and religious movements in the country: Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Vaishnavism, etc.

    Sport

    The National Olympic Committee of Moldova, as an independent state, was created in 1991 and recognized by the IOC in 1993. Athletes from Moldova usually compete in international competitions in cycling and equestrian sports, swimming, rowing and canoeing, boxing, lightweight and heavyweight athletics, archery, football and biathlon, sailing.