Republic of Moldova: area, population, president, capital, administrative-territorial division. Picturesque Moldova on the map Residents of Moldova are called

Moldova, The Republic of Moldova(Mold. Republica Moldova) is a state in southeastern Europe. It borders with Ukraine in the north, east and south and Romania in the west. Part of the territory of Moldova is controlled by the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic. The capital is Chisinau. From 1940 to 1991 - Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. On August 27, 1991, Moldova declared its independence.

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. 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).

In the north, east and south, Moldova borders on Ukraine, in the west - on Romania. 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 of Giurgiulesti (45°28 N), in the west - the village of Kriva (26°30 E), on in the east - the village of Palanka (30°05 E).

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 to 550 mm.

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, Central Moldavian forest (Codri), South Moldavian steppe.

Population

According to estimated data as of January 1, 2008, the population of the Republic of Moldova was 3572.7 thousand people. (without PMR and Bendery municipality). In 2007, an average of 3576.90 thousand people lived in Moldova

The population of the Republic of Moldova, according to the 2004 census, was 3395.6 thousand people (census data does not take into account the population of the territories administered by the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic). Of these, 3158.0 thousand or 93.3% of the population are Orthodox. The population density is 111.4 people. per km². The population of the Republic of Moldova is multinational and multicultural. 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%, Armenians - 0.8%, Jews - 0.7%, etc.

Over the same period, the share of the population of Gagauz nationality increased by 0.3%, Romanian by 2.1%, and residents of these nationalities occupy, respectively, 4th and 5th place in the total population.

At the same time, the share of Bulgarians decreased by 0.1%, as well as other nationalities - by 1.7%.

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 native language, 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, just 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, make 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 the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, 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 Chisinau, 4.6% in ATU Gagauzia, 3.8% in Balti. Large districts with a population of more than 100 thousand inhabitants are Cahul, Hincesti, Orhei, Ungheni. Smaller districts are Bessarabian (29 thousand), Dubossary (34 thousand), Sholdanesti (42 thousand) and Taraclia (43 thousand).

Data from the last two censuses show that for 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 intercensal 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 intercensus period decreased from 120.4 to 111.4 people per 1 sq. km.

In 2008, about 25 thousand marriages were registered, which is 2 thousand less than in 2007.

Women continue to be the predominant part of the country's population - 51.9% of the total in 2004 and 52.3% in 1989. The latest census counted 1,755,643 women, which is 128 thousand more than men. There were 927 men per 1,000 women, compared to 912 in 1989.

Despite the fact that the decrease in the female population during the intercensal period was more significant than the decrease in the male population, the predominance of women remained. Women are more numerous after the age of 30.

In the intercensus period, the average age of the population increased by 3.5 years and amounted to 35.3 years, for women - 36.8 years, for men - 33.6 years (according to the 1989 census, the average age was, respectively, 31.8 , 33.3 and 30.1 years).

There were 78 cars per 1000 residents of the Republic of Moldova in 2005.

Story

Until the 14th century, the territory of modern Moldova was part of the possessions of various tribal unions (Geto-Dacians, Goths, Antes) and state entities (Old Russian State, Principality of Galicia, 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 Goretsky, speaking about Moldova and the Moldovans, noted that the faith and rituals of the Moldovans are very close to the Greek and Armenian churches; their priests get married. The Moldovans are especially famous for their cavalry; even the poorest of them have riding horses suitable for campaigns and battles. Like the Hungarians, they are armed with a shield, helmet and spear.

At the end of the 18th century, the Left Bank of the Dniester went to the Russian Empire, and Bessarabia in 1812. In 1917 the Moldavian Democratic Republic was proclaimed. Since 1918, Bessarabia has been part of Romania. In 1924, the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR. In 1940, as a result of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Bessarabia was transferred to the USSR and the Moldavian SSR was formed. During the Great Patriotic War it was occupied in 1941-1944 by German and Romanian troops. On August 24, 1944, as a result of the Iasi-Chisinau operation, the territory of Bessarabia was again occupied by Soviet troops.

On August 27, 1991, the independence of the Republic of Moldova was proclaimed. In 1992, the tense political situation in the Transnistria zone escalated into an armed conflict. A Constitution was adopted in 1994, which is still in force. In April 2009, anti-government riots occurred in Chisinau, dispersed by the police.

State structure

The president

The President is the head of state of Moldova.

The President of the Republic of Moldova is elected by Parliament by secret ballot. A candidate who receives three-fifths of the votes of the elected deputies is considered elected.
Mircea Snegur - 1990-1996.
Pyotr Luchinsky - 1996-2000.
Vladimir Voronin - 2001-2009
Mihai Ghimpu (acting president) - 2009 - to this day

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, strengthening relations with Russia, Belarus 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.

Parliament

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

Deputies are elected for 4 years under a proportional system with a six percent threshold, which was raised in 2008 from 4%, and in 2009 reduced to 5%.

The first parliamentary elections after the declaration of Moldova's independence from the USSR in 1991 took place in 1994.

In the 2001 elections, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) received an overwhelming majority (71 seats).

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, a protest rally was 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 formed the 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.

Administrative division

Administratively, Moldova is divided into 32 districts, 5 municipalities (Balti, Bendery, Chisinau, Comrat, Tiraspol) and 1 autonomous territorial entity (Gagauzia). In 2005, the parliament adopted a law on the special legal status of Transnistria, which established territorial autonomy for the Transnistrian region within Moldova. The authorities and people of Transnistria abandoned autonomy in favor of independence.

There are 65 cities and 917 villages in Moldova.

At the moment, the areas located on the left bank of the Dniester, as well as the municipalities of Bendery and Tiraspol, are under the control of the PMR.

Transnistria

On the territory of Moldova there is an unrecognized state entity - the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Under its control is the main part of the left bank of the Dniester, as well as the city of Bendery and a number of villages on the right bank. The majority of the region's population consists of: Moldovans (31.9%), Russians (30.3%) and Ukrainians (28.8%).

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 conflict was ended thanks to the intervention of Russia 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, Transnistria 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.

Economy

Moldova has a good climate and land, but no mineral resources. Therefore, the country's economy is tied to agriculture. Almost all energy resources have to be imported.

According to some estimates (US CIA directory), up to 25% of Moldova’s workforce works abroad.

Exports - $1.6 billion (in 2008) - food products, textiles.

The main export buyers are Russia 29%, Romania 15%, Italy 10%.

Imports - $4.9 billion (in 2008) - mineral raw materials and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles.

The main import suppliers are Russia 21%, Romania 16%, Ukraine 15%.

There are 174 wineries in Moldova.

Public national budget 2008:
Revenues amounted to 23 billion 488 million lei.
Expenses amounted to 26 billion lei.
The deficit is 2 billion 512 million lei.

Foreign exchange reserves of the National Bank of Moldova in 2008 amounted to $1.67 billion.

The inflation rate in Moldova is one of the lowest in Eastern Europe: 7.3% in 2008 versus 13.1% in 2007.

In 2005, it was recognized by the World Bank as the poorest country in Europe with an estimated per capita GDP for 2008, according to the US CIA, of $2,500 and an average monthly salary of $350.

Telecommunications

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”).

Foreign policy

GUAM

GUAM is an interstate organization created in October 1997 by the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova (from 1999 to 2005 the organization also included Uzbekistan). The name of the organization is formed from the first letters of the names of its member countries. Before Uzbekistan left the organization, it was called GUUAM. The organization's policy is aimed at strengthening ties between its members.

Moldova and the EU

On January 12, 2010, Moldova began negotiations with the European Union on signing an associate membership agreement. The issue of Moldova’s possible admission to the European Union has not yet been addressed, even with an eye to the long term.

International agreements and conventions

On June 19, 2006, the Republic of Moldova acceded to the 1961 Hague Convention (full name: “Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, October 5, 1961”). On March 16, 2007, the convention came into force. This Convention abolishes the requirement to legalize foreign official documents for countries party to the Convention. The Convention establishes a special sign (stamp) affixed to official documents created in one state and subject to transfer to another state, replacing the consular legalization procedure - an apostille. Database of Apostilled Documents

Education

In Moldavia:
35 universities.
1551 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.

Literature

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

Religion

The most common denomination is Orthodoxy, whose adherents, according to the US CIA, make up 98% 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 the 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.

There are also believers of other faiths and religious movements in the country: Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Baptists, Adventists, Pentecostals.

Tourism

Moldova is a country with a relatively underdeveloped tourism industry, despite the existence of historical and modern tourist attractions on its territory.

The most visited place by tourists in Moldova is its capital, Chisinau. Also, from the point of view of interest for tourists, other large cities can be identified: Tiraspol, Balti, Bendery (Bendery Fortress), Orhei, famous for its medieval city of Old Orhei (Orheiul Vechi), as well as the Vadul-lui resort located on the banks of the Dniester -Vode..

The main tourist attractions of Moldova also include wine and tasting tours to the largest wine cellars in Europe, Cricova and Small Milesti, and visits to the ancient monasteries of Moldova.

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

It should be noted that the left bank of the Dniester and the city of Bendery are beyond 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.

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 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 also 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. Military-economic settlements were created here 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, and Tiraspol, as well as printers and workers from 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 Tsarii (“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 trading 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, and 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 recognition of the status of the official language of the republic for the Moldovan language. 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.

You love holiday at sea?

You love trips ?

Would you like to do this more often ?

Do you know that at the same timeCan you still earn money?

Your additional income 10,000 - 50,000 rubles per month working at the same time as a regional representative In your city , you can start working without experience...

...or just help your friends and acquaintances select profitable last minute deals online and save up for your vacation...

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 in comparison with 1989 decreased by 2.9%, and 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 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 grill (over hot coals on a grate previously greased with bacon). The most typical for Moldavian 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 satisfy recreational needs and to organize economic sectors 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 the 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. rank (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 you 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 (early 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.

The content of the article

MOLDAVIA, The Republic of Moldova is a state in southeastern Europe. Its area is 33.7 thousand square meters. km, borders on the west with Romania, on the north, east and south – with Ukraine. The capital is Chisinau. Until 1940, most of the territory of the present Republic of Moldova was part of the historical region of Bessarabia, conquered in the 16th century. Turks, and in 1812 became part of Russia. In 1918, after the October Revolution in Russia, this territory was included in Romania. In 1940, Romania ceded Bessarabia to the USSR. Bessarabia, after some border changes, was transformed into the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR), and the latter in May 1990 into the Republic of Moldova. On August 27, 1991, Moldova declared its independence.

NATURE

Moldova is a flat and hilly country. Its average elevation above sea level is 147 m. The highest point is the town of Balanesti, which has an elevation of 429.5 m. The relief is very changeable, which is due to sharp fluctuations in heights in small areas. This is due to the fact that Moldova is located on various geological structures: the southwestern edge of the Russian Platform, sedimentary marine rocks, the deep Pre-Dobrudzha trough, the slope of the Dobrudzha crystalline massif. There are five lowland and four elevated regions. The “Codri” – the Central Moldavian Upland, or low mountain area – is distinguished by its originality. A remarkable element of the relief is gyrtops: depressions in the form of amphitheaters, formed in loose rocks under the influence of long-term erosion and landslide processes.

There are few large rivers, but many small and medium-sized ones. Only 8 rivers – Dniester, Prut, Reut, Ikel, Byk, Botna, Yalpug and Kogilnik – have a length of more than 100 km. Except for the Dniester and Prut, all rivers are fed by local runoff. The largest - the Dniester (in ancient times - Tiras) - originates in the Carpathians at an altitude of 759 m above sea level. In 1954, a hydroelectric power station was built on the Dnieper near the city of Dubossary and a large reservoir with a depth of 14–18 m in places was formed above the dam - the “Dubossary Sea”, which is the largest body of water in the republic. In the lower reaches of the Dniester there is a large freshwater Kuchurgan estuary connecting with it. The Prut, also starting in the Carpathians, on the territory of Moldova has a wide, worked out valley with terraces and a developed floodplain. The water in the river is fresh, and according to ancient folk beliefs, it is healing. Unlike the Dniester, the Prut is navigable only in a small area. In the wide floodplain of the Prut south of the city of Cahul there are many lakes. The internal rivers of Moldova are low-water. The Bull River, on the banks of which Chisinau is located, is blocked by a dam. The resulting reservoir, the Chisinau Sea, has an area of ​​about 1000 hectares.

The soils are very fertile; various chernozems predominate, which are common in all steppe and forest-steppe regions of the republic. The best varieties of winter wheat, corn, sugar beets, tobacco, apple and pear orchards grow well on the black soils of Northern Moldova. The hills in the center of the republic are covered with brown forest soils; below them there are gray podzolized forest soils. These soils, both brown and gray, are suitable for fruit trees and grapevines. Another group of soils - floodplains - is used for intensive gardening and vegetable growing.

Natural conditions are very diverse. Back in 1848, geographer K.I. Arsenyev wrote that Bessarabia is “a wonderful mixture of dry steppes with the most fertile arable lands, rich meadows and gardens.” Moldova is located in two natural zones: forest-steppe and steppe. However, natural vegetation was preserved only in isolated spots; virgin steppes were plowed back at the end of the 19th century. In Codri there are hornbeam-oak forests, and there is also beech. Kodry is also home to the Lozovo-Kapriyanovsky protected forest area, one of the largest in the republic. In the floodplains, areas of tall oak trees have been preserved; the oldest oak grove is in the Prut floodplain. In the Prut forests there are also thickets of wild grapes.

POPULATION

According to 2009 data, 4,320 thousand people lived in Moldova. The birth rate was 11.12 per 1 thousand inhabitants, the mortality rate was 10.78. The annual population growth is approximately 0.18%. The average life expectancy is slightly more than 70.8; for men – 67.1, for women – 74.71.

The majority of the population (78.2%) are Moldovans. Ukrainians 8.4%, Russians -5.8%, Gagauz - 4.4%, Bulgarians - 2%, Jews and Gypsies - 1.3%.

The predominant religion is Orthodoxy. There are also communities of Baptists, Seventh-day Adventist Christians, Roman Catholics, and Jews.

Religion.

The predominant religion is Orthodox Christianity. Slavic minorities and Gagauz are also Orthodox Christians.

Cities.

The largest city and capital of Moldova is Chisinau (734.2 thousand inhabitants in 1995), located in the center of the country. More than 50% of its population are Moldovans, 25% are Russians, 13% are Ukrainians. This is the largest industrial center of Moldova.

The second largest city of Tiraspol (203.7 thousand inhabitants in 1995) is located on the left bank of the Dniester River. Moldovans make up 18% of the population here, while Russians make up 41% and Ukrainians make up 32%. It is an important administrative, transport and industrial center. Among other large cities, Balti (156.7 thousand inhabitants) and Bendery (Tighina, 136.6 thousand) stand out. In both cities, Moldovans constitute a minority of the population.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

The current Constitution of the Republic of Moldova was adopted by the Parliament on July 29, 1994, July 19, 1996, and amendments were made to it on July 5, 2000. According to the Constitution, the Republic of Moldova is a democratic legal state in which the dignity of man, his rights and freedoms, the free development of the human personality, justice and political pluralism are proclaimed as the highest values. The Constitution stipulates that in the event of inconsistencies between covenants and treaties on fundamental human rights, to which the Republic of Moldova is a party, and domestic laws, international norms take precedence.

According to Article 11 of the Constitution, the deployment of armed forces of other states on the territory of Moldova is not allowed. Proclaims its permanent neutrality.

The state language is Moldovan based on the Latin script. At the same time, the right to preserve the Russian language and other languages ​​used in the country is recognized.

State structure.

Moldova is a parliamentary republic whose Constitution is based on the principle of separation of powers. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament consisting of 101 deputies elected by free and secret ballot on the basis of proportional representation from a national constituency. The Election Code establishes the following barriers (election qualifications):

1) for a party, socio-political organization – 6%,

2) for an electoral bloc formed from two parties and (or) socio-political organizations – 9%,

3) for an electoral bloc formed from three parties and (or) socio-political organizations - 12%.

The term of office of parliament is 4 years. Parliament adopts laws and interprets them, calls referendums, approves the main directions of the state's domestic and foreign policy, exercises parliamentary control over the executive branch, approves the state budget and monitors its implementation, and ratifies international treaties. Parliament sessions are convened twice a year.

Parliament adopts constitutional (i.e., on the revision of the constitution), organic and ordinary laws. Organic laws are adopted by a majority vote of elected deputies. They regulate, in particular, the electoral system, the organization and activities of parliament and government, courts, the organization of local government, the regime of local autonomy, the organization and activities of political parties, the general regime of labor relations, trade unions and social protection, the regime of emergency and martial law and some other areas. Ordinary laws are adopted by a majority vote of the deputies present. The most important issues in the life of society and the state are put to referendum.

The legislative initiative belongs to members of parliament, the president and the government.

The head of state is the president, elected by parliament by secret ballot; The candidate who receives three-fifths of the votes of the deputies is considered elected. The president can be a citizen who has the right to vote, has reached the age of 40, has lived in the territory of the republic for at least 10 years and speaks the state language. The term of office of the president is 4 years; the same person cannot hold this position for more than two consecutive terms. In case of committing acts that violate the provisions of the constitution, the president can be removed from office by parliament by a two-thirds vote of the elected deputies.

The President participates in negotiations, concludes international treaties on behalf of the republic, accredits and recalls diplomatic representatives at the proposal of the government, accepts credentials and letters of recall from diplomatic representatives of other states, is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and promulgates laws. Other powers of the president include: awarding state awards, conferring military ranks, resolving issues of citizenship, appointing to government positions, and issuing pardons. When exercising his powers, the president issues decrees that are binding throughout the state.

The implementation of the state's domestic and foreign policy is ensured by the government, which consists of the prime minister, first deputy and deputies, ministers and other members. The program of activities and composition of the government are discussed at a parliamentary meeting. Parliament expresses a vote of confidence in the government by a majority vote of elected deputies. Based on a vote of confidence, the president appoints the government. If it is impossible to form a government, the president, after consultation with parliamentary factions, has the right to dissolve parliament.

Justice

carried out by the Supreme Court of Justice, chambers of appeal and courts. Judges are appointed by the President on the proposal of the Superior Council of Magistracy. The position of a judge is incompatible with any other paid activity, with the exception of teaching and scientific activities.

The chairman, deputy chairmen and judges of the Supreme Court of Justice are appointed by parliament on the proposal of the Supreme Council of Magistracy. They must have at least 10 years of experience as a judge. The competence of the Supreme Court of Justice, among others, includes judicial proceedings in the event that parliament initiates charges against the president.

The Superior Council of Magistracy consists of 11 magistrates, whose term of office is 5 years. It includes by right the Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Chairman of the Appeals Chamber, the Chairman of the Economic Court, the Prosecutor General, as well as 6 elected members. The Supreme Council of Magistracy is responsible for the appointment, transfer, promotion of judges and the application of disciplinary measures against them.

The constitution also sets out the basic requirements for judicial proceedings. In all courts, court hearings are held openly. Trial in camera is permitted only in cases established by law, in compliance with all rules of judicial procedure. Legal proceedings are conducted in the Moldovan language, but persons who do not speak or speak the Moldovan language have the right to familiarize themselves with all documents and materials of the case and to speak in court through an interpreter. In accordance with the law, legal proceedings may be conducted in a language acceptable to the majority of persons participating in the legal process. Court decisions can be appealed by interested parties and competent government bodies in accordance with the law.

The system of prosecutorial bodies includes the General Prosecutor's Office, territorial and specialized prosecutor's offices. The Prosecutor General and his subordinate prosecutors, in accordance with the law, supervise the accurate and uniform execution of laws by public authorities, legal entities and individuals and their associations, protect the rule of law, the rights and freedoms of citizens, and promote the administration of justice. The Prosecutor General is appointed by Parliament, subordinates are appointed by the Prosecutor General and are subordinate to him. The term of office of prosecutors is 5 years.

The only body of constitutional justice in the republic is the Constitutional Court, which is independent of any other public authority and is subject only to the Constitution. Constitutional Court:

– exercises upon request control of the constitutionality of laws, regulations and resolutions of parliament, presidential decrees, decrees and orders of the government,

– gives an interpretation of the Constitution,

– speaks out on proposals to revise the Constitution,

– confirms the results of republican referendums,

– confirms the results of parliamentary and presidential elections,

– states the circumstances justifying the dissolution of parliament, the temporary removal of the president from office or the temporary performance of the duties of the president,

– resolves exceptional cases of unconstitutionality of legal acts presented by the Supreme Court of Justice,

– makes decisions on issues the subject of which is the constitutionality of the party.

Laws and other normative acts or their parts lose force from the moment the Constitutional Court makes a corresponding decision, and the decisions of the Constitutional Court themselves are final and are not subject to appeal.

The Constitutional Court is composed of six judges appointed for six-year terms, with two judges appointed by Parliament, two by the President and two by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy. Judges of the Constitutional Court are irremovable during their term of office.

Administrative-territorial structure.

A new law on the administrative-territorial structure was adopted on December 27, 2001. In accordance with it, the country is divided into 32 districts, 5 municipalities (Chisinau, Balti, Tiraspol, Bendery, Comrat), the autonomous territorial entity of Gagauzia and the administrative-territorial units of the Left Bank of the Dniester, which special forms and conditions of autonomy may be provided and under which the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) currently exists.

Gagauzia is an autonomous territorial entity with a special status as a form of self-determination of the Gagauz people, which independently, within its competence, resolves issues of a political, economic and cultural nature. The law on the special legal status of Gagauzia was adopted by the Parliament of Moldova on December 23, 1994.

At the beginning of 2002, there were 1,678 settlements in Moldova, of which 66 were urban settlements. An uncertain situation arose with the municipality of Bendery, which, with the exception of the suburban village of Varnitsa, recognizes the jurisdiction of the PMR, but the new law did not include the city in the territories where it can Transnistrian autonomy will be created. There are other areas of disputed jurisdiction.

Political parties.

After the 2001 elections, the leading political party in Moldova became the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova. The Communist Party, banned in 1991, registered in April 1994 under a new name, and in December 1994 its First Congress was held, which adopted the party program. Vladimir Nikolaevich Voronin was elected first secretary of the Central Committee at the organizational plenum held after the congress. In March 1995, the PCRM was accepted into the UPC - CPSU.

In 1998, the party took part in parliamentary elections for the first time after the ban in 1991, winning 40 parliamentary seats out of 101. A year later, the communists received over 2,000 seats in local authorities. At the initiative of the PCRM, in the summer of 2000, the parliament introduced changes to the Constitution of the country, which allowed the transition to a parliamentary form of government. In the early parliamentary elections, the party won 71 seats, thus obtaining a qualified majority, giving the right to amend the Constitution if necessary.

Christian Democratic People's Party was created on May 20, 1989, is the ideological successor of the Popular Front of Moldova (1989–1992) and the Christian Democratic Front of Moldova (1992–1998). Member of the Christian Democratic International. In the 1998 parliamentary elections, in a bloc with the Revival and Reconciliation Party, it received 19.2% of the votes (26 seats); in 2001, acting independently, it received 8.3% of the votes (11 seats). He is the main opponent of the Communist Party.

Other major parties are the Agrarian Democratic Party of Moldova (created in 1991), the Socialist Party, the Democratic Party, the Social-Political Movement “Forta Noua”, the Social Liberal Party, the Social-Political Movement “Equality”, the Centrist Union of Moldova and some others.

Social Liberal Party– a center-right political party based on the doctrine of social liberalism. He advocates the construction of a democratic state with a competitive market economy and integration into the European Union. The party was created on May 9, 2001 (Europe Day), and Dr. Oleg Serebrian, vice-rector of the Independent University of Moldova, was elected its first president.

On July 19, 2003, the Social Democratic Alliance, the Liberal Party, the Alliance of Independents and the People's Democratic Party merged into a new political organization - Moldova Noastra(“Our Moldova”), co-chaired and coordinated by Dmitry Braghis. The unifying doctrine of the organization was social liberalism.

Dynamics of political life.

Since 1990, Moldova has faced acute social and political problems. The country's diverse ethnic composition and the political crisis of the late Soviet period created an extremely difficult situation. Radical parties made demands for the unification of the country with Romania, which, however, did not meet with the support of the majority of the population. In 1991, large-scale fighting broke out between government troops and forces advocating autonomy for Transnistria. This republic, unrecognized by Chisinau, was formed in September 1990, during the existence of the USSR, its residents opposed secession from the Soviet Union along with Moldova. The Moldovan authorities tried to occupy the territory of the rebellious republic by armed means from the end of 1991 to mid-1992, but this attempt failed and the autonomy survived.

At the end of 1992 - beginning of 1993, a regrouping of political organizations took place, which was accompanied by a decrease in the influence of the nationalists of the Popular Front, and a coalition of agrarian deputies and former communists (members of the faction of independent deputies) took a dominant position in parliament.

In February 1994 parliamentary elections took place. The ADP received 43.2% of the votes and received an absolute majority in parliament (56 out of 104 seats). The socialist bloc, which included parties allied with the agrarians, achieved the support of 22% of the vote and took 28 seats. Moldovan national (pro-Romanian) parties suffered a serious defeat. More moderate supporters of these parties were in a better position. The bloc of peasants and intellectuals received 9.2% of the votes (11 seats), and the HDNF received 7.5% of the votes (9 seats). At the beginning of 1994, parliament adopted a new constitution, which came into force on July 29, 1994. Having come to power, the agrarians took steps to resolve interethnic conflicts. The desire for autonomy on the part of the Gagauz people was satisfied in mid-1994. Significant progress was also achieved in relations with supporters of autonomy for Transnistria.

In the 1998 parliamentary elections, the PKM achieved great success, taking advantage of growing dissatisfaction with the progress of economic reforms carried out by the ADP government.

In the early parliamentary elections in February 2001, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova won, gaining 49.9% of the votes. In second place was the electoral bloc "Braghis Alliance" (Socialist Party of Moldova, Party of Social Democracy "Furnica", Centrist Union of Moldova, Movement of Professionals "Speranta - Nadezhda", Social and Political Movement "New Force") - 13.4% of the votes and 19 places. In third place is the Christian Democratic People's Party with 8.3% of the vote (11 seats). The remaining parties and electoral blocs did not overcome the required electoral threshold.

Police and military forces.

The police are subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the armed forces are subordinate to the Ministry of Defense. There is an armed police corps of approximately 4 thousand people. Initially, a two-year military service project for men over 18 years of age was introduced for a short time, and later a transition to a small army on a contract basis was envisaged. However, when fighting broke out between supporters of national independence and Transnistria in early 1991, the mobilization of men aged 18 to 40 was announced in Moldova. In 1998, the period of compulsory military service was reduced to 18 months. According to 1997 estimates, the combat-ready armed forces numbered more than 11 thousand people. The number of reservists who can be drafted into the armed forces is approx. 300 thousand. In 1998, more than 1145 thousand people were considered fit for military service. After the visit of the NATO Secretary General to Chisinau in January 1999, a decision was made to reduce the size of the army from 10 thousand to 6.5 thousand.

Foreign policy.

The 1994 Constitution confirmed Moldova's status as a neutral country. Moldova's foreign policy activities were complicated due to its geographical location, peculiarities of historical development and ongoing internal interethnic conflicts. The main diplomatic efforts were aimed at resolving the conflict in Transnistria and stabilizing relations with regional authorities.

A ceasefire agreement reached in July 1992 ended the war, but did not lead to a final resolution of the conflict. In August 1994, the governments of Russia and Moldova signed an agreement on the gradual withdrawal of 14th Army warehouses from Moldavian territory. Moldova pledged to find a political solution to the conflict with Transnistria. This decision was subsequently confirmed by a memorandum dated May 8, 1997. In April 1999, deadlines for the withdrawal of troops were set.

Romania was the first state to recognize the Republic of Moldova. Close cooperation with Romania was encouraged by the leaders of the Popular Front. However, after some time, especially after the 1994 elections, relations between the countries deteriorated. The prospect of unification, unacceptable for the Russian and Gagauz minorities, served as the main reason for the aggravation of interethnic conflict. Nationalist elements in Romania regarded concessions to autonomy supporters as evidence of a pro-Russian orientation. Accordingly, opposition to Romanian interference in Moldova's affairs increased, and discontent among Romanian nationalists with regard to the refusal to unify and Moldova's desire to develop relations with Russia led to a wave of hostile rhetoric in the Romanian parliament.

ECONOMY

In the pre-Soviet period, Moldova was a strictly agricultural country; in the 1940s, its economy was based mainly on agriculture and the production of consumer goods. During the Soviet period, industrialization began, primarily in Chisinau and Transnistria. Along with the food industry, the textile industry, mechanical engineering and electronics appeared. In the early 1990s, industry already provided almost 2/5 of national income. The economy of Moldova, which had virtually no mineral resources, was largely dependent on imports. For example, power plants operated exclusively on imported energy resources (oil, petroleum products and coal).

After the country's secession from the USSR and despite the implementation of market reforms, Moldova's economic development was hampered by ongoing instability both within and outside the country. Regional conflicts prevented Moldova from establishing reliable trade ties with other former Soviet republics.

According to the World Bank, in 1995 the gross national product (GNP) was approximately $3.9 billion, or $920 per capita. In the first half of the 1990s, the country's GDP declined annually and in 2002 was estimated at 11.51 billion US dollars. In 1996, the government initiated the introduction of a three-year program aimed at accelerating the transition to a market economy. Moldova managed to obtain loans from the IMF, which made it possible to implement this program.

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.

Industry.

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.

Transport.

The main means of communication in Moldova are railways and roads. Railway lines connect the main economic centers - Chisinau, Bendery, Tiraspol and Balti. They also go to Iasi and Galati in Romania, to Odessa, Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. In 1992, the total length of railways in Moldova was 1328 km. The lower reaches of the Prut and Dniester rivers are navigable, but water transport is not of great importance. In 1996, the length of highways in Moldova reached 12.3 thousand km, of which 10.4 thousand were paved. Asphalt roads connect the main cities and are the main means of communication within the country. However, most roads are in poor condition, and a shortage of gasoline complicates the work of road transport.

International trade.

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.

Economic reforms.

After gaining independence, Moldova made great strides in reforming its planned economy. In January 1992, parliament voted to leave the ruble zone in order to establish full control over the economy. In November 1993, the Moldovan leu was introduced as the national currency. Private property was legalized, and a number of joint-stock companies and joint ventures appeared. In January 1991, a privatization law was adopted. Privatization was based primarily on a voucher system: each citizen was given vouchers based on length of service that could be used to purchase shares in privatized enterprises. It was supposed to transform collective farms into joint-stock companies.

The fate of economic reforms became unclear after the victory of the PKM in the parliamentary elections of 1998. The communists, opposed to market reforms, received a sufficient number of votes in parliament to control certain initiatives of the president.

SOCIETY

Significant changes occurred in Moldovan society after the Second World War. Before the war, it was predominantly an agricultural country; after 1945, the processes of urbanization, industrialization, and the elimination of illiteracy began. By 1999, 47% of the country's inhabitants were city dwellers, and 53% lived in rural areas.

Moldovan society is ethnically diverse. There are significant differences in the living conditions of the main ethnic groups. Although Moldovans make up a significant proportion of the urban population, they form the vast majority only in rural areas. No more than a quarter of Moldovans live in the 10 largest cities. On the other hand, Russians are predominantly urban dwellers, and of these, more than 72% live in the 10 largest cities. Ukrainians live in ancient villages and cities (47% of Ukrainians are dispersed across cities). The Gagauz and Bulgarians are concentrated in the south, mainly in rural areas, where they originally settled in the 19th century. Many Gagauz people live in the southern cities of Comrat and Ceadir-Lunga.

CULTURE

Many Moldovans know the Romanian literary language, and in everyday life they widely use the Moldovan dialect. In the written language of Moldovans from 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 the country left the USSR, complete romanization was carried out.

Public education.

Compared to the beginning of the 20th century, when the literacy rate was exceptionally low, Moldova has made great strides in public education. Illiteracy was completely eliminated. The education system was based on 10 years of compulsory education, with its continuation in vocational schools, technical schools or higher educational institutions. In 1991, there were 13 higher educational institutions in Moldova with a student population of more than 53 thousand people. Chisinau is home to the Moldovan State University, an independent free university, agricultural, polytechnic, pedagogical and medical universities, an international economic university and an academy of economic knowledge. Universities also operate in Tiraspol, Cahul and Balti. Until 1990, in secondary schools there was parallel education in the Moldovan and Russian languages. In higher educational institutions, teaching was conducted mainly in Russian. Currently, the Government of Moldova sets the task of predominantly transferring teaching into the Romanian language at all levels of education, which requires the training of appropriate teaching staff.

Literature.

The roots of Moldavian literature are in Moldavian folklore. Ancient songs (Voynitsky - heroic and Haidutsky songs-poems) tell about the victories of heroes over the forces of nature, repelling Turkish and Tatar invasions. Such songs are performed in recitative and are accompanied by playing national instruments: kobza, chimpoye (bagpipes), violin. An outstanding monument of Moldovan folklore is the shepherd's ballad Mioritsa.

In the 15th–18th centuries. Chronicle writing is developing, which from the 17th century. began to be conducted in the Moldovan language. Chroniclers Grigory Urenke (90s of the 16th century - 1647), Miron Costin (1633-1691), I. Neculce (1672-1746) denounced the tyrannical rule of the Ottoman conquerors, resurrected the heroic pages of the liberation struggle of the Moldovans against the Turks. Work by M. Kostin About the Moldovan tribe, from which country their ancestors came, written in a highly polemical form, marks the beginning of Moldavian historiography.

In the 18th century fiction is born: lyric poetry (Ion Cantacuzino), allegorical novel (Dmitry Cantemir), poetic chronicle. Dmitry Cantemir (1673–1723) is an outstanding statesman and encyclopedist of European scale. He is the author of philosophical, regional studies and historical works, the most important of which are Description of Moldova, History of the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, Hieroglyphic history.

In the 19th century Moldovan writers began to collect folklore stories and use them in their works. The first publisher of folk songs was Vasile Alecsandri, who made a significant contribution to the development of the Moldavian literary language. Classics of Moldavian literature are also M. Eminescu, C. Stamati, A. Donich, I. Creanghe and others. In 1820–1823, A. S. Pushkin was in exile in Bessarabia, who also showed significant interest in Moldavian songbooks. He reworked the Moldavian folk song “arde-me, frizhe-me” (cut me, burn me) and included it in his poem Gypsies.

At the beginning of the 20th century. The most notable phenomenon of Moldovan literature was the work of the poet Alexei Mateevich. In the second half of the 20th century. The works of A. Lupan, Em. Bukov, I. Drutse became widely known

Mass media.

There are several radio and television stations operating in Moldova. The main government daily newspapers are Moldova Suverane (Sovereign Moldova) and Nezavisimaya Moldova. The Union of Writers of Moldova publishes the weekly “Literature shi Arta” - the main printed organ covering cultural events in the country and abroad.

Music.

The source of Moldovan music is folk songs. A special place among them belongs to doinas - drawn-out songs of a lyrical-epic nature.

Until the early 30s of the 19th century. The leading role in music belonged to folk musicians - lautars. Among them, the work of Barbu Lautaru, who became a legendary figure, stood out. Thanks to the tours of European musicians (Schumann, Liszt, etc.), European music also penetrated into the region. On the other hand, Moldavian folklore attracted Russian composers - Verstovsky, Glinka, Eisrich, who used its motifs in their works. The society of music lovers “Harmony” was created in 1900, and in 1900 the Chisinau Music College was created.

In 1930, the Moldavian choir “Doina” began its activities in Tiraspol, and in 1935, the symphony orchestra.

The first Moldovan opera – Grozovan was written by D.G. Gershfeld and staged on the stage of the State Opera and Ballet Theater.

Moldavian folk dances have become widely known thanks to their masterful performance by the artists of the dance ensemble “Zhok”.

Customs and holidays.

The main religious holidays in Moldova are the same as those of other Orthodox nations - Easter and Christmas. On August 27, the national holiday Independence Day is celebrated, and on August 31, the national holiday “Day of Our Language” (in connection with the adoption of the Law on Romanian as the state language in 1989).

STORY

Formation of the state.

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 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 hospodars.

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 also supplemented by family ties: the son of Grand Duke Ivan III was married to Helen, daughter of Stephen III.

Under Turkish rule.

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 Vasile 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.

As part of Russia.

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 those adopted in 1813 Rules of temporary government of the Bessarabia region Bessarabia was governed by a governor (boyar Scarlat Sturdza) and a 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 Institutions for the administration of the Bessarabia region, An all-Russian administrative management system 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. Military-economic settlements were created here 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 on Moldovan 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 Regulations on peasants emerging from serfdom dated February 19, 1861. For the Kherson province, it was planned to free the peasants and provide them with land in the amount of 3 to 7 dessiatines for a ransom.

In Bessarabia Provisions affected 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.

Revolution 1905–1907 in Russia it also 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, and Tiraspol, as well as printers and workers from 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 Tsarii (“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 I 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.

Moldavian SSR.

On August 2, 1940, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a 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 trading 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, and 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 recognition of the status of the official language of the republic for the Moldovan language. 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 passed 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.

The Republic of Moldova.

On May 23, 1991, the Moldavian SSR was renamed the Republic of Moldova, and on August 27, based on the decision of the Great National Assembly held in Chisinau, the parliament of the republic adopted the Declaration of its independence.

From late 1991 to mid-1992, pro-government armed groups unsuccessfully tried to take control of the territory of pro-autonomy Transnistria, which almost escalated into a civil war. By the end of the summer of 1992, the death toll there exceeded several hundred people. Much of the city of Bendery, which became the main center of the conflict, was destroyed by pro-government forces, and thousands of refugees fled the area. After the truce was established, negotiations began on the future of the country.

The conflict in Transnistria has increased the polarization of Moldovan society and led to a decline in the popularity of the Popular Front. Growing hostility towards Popular Front deputies, whose number was constantly decreasing due to defections to opposition parties, led to the parliament voting to dissolve itself and hold new elections on February 27, 1994.

These elections were marked by a sharp change in political course - the abandonment of the policy of unification with Romania, pursued in the early stages of independent development. Pro-Romanian nationalist parties largely lost their political influence, and were replaced by parties that defended national independence. The Agrarian Democratic Party (ADP) gained the greatest popularity, for which 43.2% of the electorate voted; it won 56 of 104 seats in parliament. The Socialist bloc, an ally of the agrarians, won 28 seats. Pro-Romanian parties received only 17% of the votes.

The final election results immediately affected the political life of Moldova. The government of the agrarians, having a majority of seats in parliament, reached a political consensus and immediately began to reorient foreign and domestic policies. The authorities signed an agreement with Gagauzia, thereby resolving a critical situation dictated by the Gagauz desire for autonomy. On December 23, 1994, the parliament of the Republic of Moldova adopted the law on the territorial autonomy of Gagauzia (Gagauz Yeri). Since 1992, the southern Taraclia region, populated mainly by Bulgarians, has been seeking greater autonomy. Steps were taken to normalize relations with the Transnistrian authorities. On July 29, 1994, a new constitution was put into effect. This document reflected the “Moldovan” orientation of the new political majority. References to the Romanian language and the Romanian people, which characterized the main provisions of the early draft constitutions, were removed and replaced by references to the Moldovan language and the Moldovan people, while national independence was retained as the main principle of Moldovan statehood.

Disappointment with these additions to the constitution led to a protest by student groups in March-April 1995. To curb the manifestations of discontent, President Snegur introduced a six-month moratorium on the discussion of the language issue and created a special commission to consider it. At the same time, parliament twice - in 1994 and 1995 - rejected the proposal to recognize Romanian as the state language.

In June 1995, President Snegur resigned from the leadership of the ADP, disagreeing with its demand to approve Romanian as the state language. Snegur’s conflicts with the leadership of the ADP did not stop. When he tried to dismiss Defense Minister Pavel Creanga in 1996, parliament declared this decision unconstitutional.

In the November 1996 presidential elections, none of the candidates received the required 50% of the vote. Repeated elections took place in December, in the first round Snegur received 39% of the votes, and ADP candidate Petr Lucinschi - 28%. However, Lucinsky won the second round with 54% of the vote and took office as president in January 1997.

In the first year of his presidency, Lucinsky persistently supported economic reforms. The main opponent of market reforms was the PKM. In the parliamentary elections in March 1998, the communists won 30% of the votes (40 seats) in parliament. Since no party received a decisive majority of seats, a coalition government was formed with the participation of the Movement for a Democratic and Prosperous Moldova, the Democratic Convention of Moldova and the Party of Democratic Forces. The new parliament recognized Romanian as the state language of Moldova.

The Constitution of 1994 confirmed the neutrality of the Republic of Moldova in international relations. The status of Transnistria was not specifically specified, but it was stated that the settlements on the left bank of the Dniester could be provided with special forms and conditions of autonomy. Detailed negotiations regarding the status of Transnistria were conducted in 1995. In mid-1996, the governments of Moldova and Transnistria came to an agreement on the autonomous status of Transnistria. The progress of the negotiations was hampered by ongoing disputes over the conditions for the withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from Transnistria. The eastern part of the former Moldavian SSR, the so-called Transnistrian Moldavian Republic (PMR), with its capital in Tiraspol, is de facto not part of the Republic of Moldova. The legislative and executive branches of power in the PMR ignore the laws of Moldova. The PMR has all the attributes of statehood (flag, capital, president, parliament, customs, police, finance).

In contrast to the PMR, the leaders of Gagauzia at the end of 1994 reached an agreement with the government of Moldova on the terms of autonomy. Gagauzia was guaranteed local self-government, and the Gagauz language became one of the three official languages ​​- along with Moldavian and Russian. The People's Assembly of Gagauzia (Halk Toplosu) received limited legislative powers. The highest official of Gagauzia is its head (bashkan), who is elected for a term of four years on the basis of universal, equal, direct suffrage with secret and free voting on an alternative basis. At a regional referendum held in March 1995, the official borders of Gagauzia were determined. By the end of 1998, the republic faced the worst crisis since its independence. In the economy, it was due to a sharp drop in trade turnover with Russia after the default on August 17, 1998, a further decline in industrial production and a reduction in GDP (in 1998 compared to 1997 by 10% and 7%, respectively), the devaluation of the leu by 50%, and rising food prices by 20–40%. The budget adopted on December 12, 1998 (revenues - 2.25 billion lei, or $300 million, expenditures - 2.45 billion lei, or $330 million) was adopted with the expectation of IMF loans, which were received in 1999 with delays. In January 1999, prices for utilities and some goods rose by 70%.

MOLDAVIA 21st century

The Moldovan leadership sees a way out of the crisis in tightening financial discipline and reorienting trade relations to the CIS countries, the Middle East and China. In domestic politics, President Lucinschi, at a consultative referendum on May 23, 1999, during local elections, raised the issue of introducing presidential rule, thereby changing some provisions of the 1994 Constitution. This proposal did not receive majority support. In the early parliamentary elections on February 25, 2001, the Communist Party won. On April 4, 2001, their leader Vladimir Voronin was elected president. After the 2005 parliamentary elections, the new parliament re-elected incumbent President Voronin for a new term. These elections were monitored by more than 700 observers from the OSCE, PACE and the EU, as well as 2,500 local observers. Russian observers were expelled from the country on the eve of the elections. On April 5, 2009, parliamentary elections took place. Based on the results of counting the ballots, the Moldovan Central Election Commission announced the victory of the ruling Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), which received 49.91% of the votes. Thus, the communists received 62–63 seats in parliament (out of 101).

Three more opposition parties also entered parliament: the Liberal Party (12.91%), the Liberal Democratic Party (12.23%) and the Moldova Noastra Alliance (AMN) (9.88%). Opposition parties declared the elections fraudulent and said they would organize mass protests. On April 7, a protest rally took place in Chisinau against the results of the parliamentary elections. The protesters also demanded the unification of Moldova with Romania. According to various estimates, 10–20 thousand people took part in the protest. The protest turned into riots. Protesters destroyed the parliament and presidential administration buildings. By evening the unrest stopped. Dozens of people were injured in the riots. The police detained about 200 people.

On April 7, a meeting took place between opposition leaders and representatives of the country's leadership. However, it did not bring results. The opposition demanded, at a minimum, a recount of votes, and at a maximum, the resignation of President Vladimir Voronin and the holding of new elections. V. Voronin blamed the opposition leaders, as well as some forces in Romania, for the incident. In this regard, the Romanian ambassador was declared persona non grata, and Moldova introduced a visa regime with Romania. However, opposition parties did not take responsibility for the riots and stated that they had nothing to do with the pogroms.

On April 8, a protest demonstration took place again, this time several thousand people gathered near the government building. They demanded access to television, as well as the release of detained opposition supporters. Their demands were not met, although they threatened to seize government buildings. The police said they would use force in case of further unrest. By evening, the protesters dispersed.

On April 11, at a meeting of the Central Election Commission, the final results of the parliamentary elections on April 5 were approved. The Communist Party received 60 seats in parliament, the liberals and liberal democrats received 15 each, and “Our Moldova” received 11.

On April 12, V. Voronin appealed to the Constitutional Court of Moldova with a request for a complete and transparent recount of the results of the parliamentary elections. The court ordered a recount of the votes and set a recount for April 15. The results were published on April 21. They did not reveal significant discrepancies with the original data. The distribution of mandates in parliament remained the same.

On May 12, parliament approved Voronin as speaker. However, the parliament was unable to elect a new head of state within the allotted time after two attempts, and on June 15, Voronin dissolved the parliament.

New elections took place on July 29. Although the Communists took first place, they did not receive enough mandates to approve their presidential candidate. The remaining opposition parties that entered parliament united into a coalition. But this alliance also did not have enough votes to approve its candidacy for head of state. On September 2, Voronin announced his resignation as president. On September 10, Voronin appointed Justice Minister Vitaly Pirlog as acting prime minister, since on September 9 the head of government, L. Greceanii, announced her resignation. On September 11, Voronin officially resigned. At a meeting on September 11, deputies decided by a majority vote that the new speaker of parliament, leader of the Liberal Party Mihai Ghimpu, would act as acting president until the election of a new head of state.

On September 17, the Moldovan parliament accepted the resignation of the current cabinet of ministers. On the same day, Ghimpu appointed the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vlad Filat, to the post of prime minister.

On June 24, 2010, Ghimpu signed a decree according to which June 28, 1940 was recognized in Moldova as the “day of Soviet occupation.” This decree split Moldovan society. On July 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of Moldova declared this decree unconstitutional and canceled it.

The Moldovan parliament twice (November 10 and December 7, 2009) failed to elect the head of state. The only candidate for the presidency both times was Mirian Lupu from the ruling Alliance for European Integration coalition. According to the constitution, the president in Moldova is elected by parliament, so after June 16, 2010 he had to be dissolved. However, the caretaker did not want to dissolve parliament. The country's leadership decided to hold a referendum in order to amend the current constitution.

On September 5, 2010, a referendum was held, which asked whether changes should be made to the constitution of the republic to allow for popular presidential elections. But the referendum was declared invalid, since a low voter turnout was recorded (29.7% of voters when at least 33% was required).

On September 21, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the republic ruled that it was necessary to re-elect the parliament. In this situation, under pressure from the Constitutional Court of Moldova, Ghimpu was forced to announce re-elections. On September 28, he announced the dissolution of parliament and set a date for new early elections.

On November 28, 2010, the opposition communist party won the parliamentary elections. The OSCE recognized the vote as meeting international standards. As a result, the communists received 42 seats in parliament. Liberal Democrats - 32 seats, Democrats - 15 and Liberals - 12. The Communists tried unsuccessfully to create a coalition with the Democrats. Although the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) did not receive the necessary number of votes to elect a president, the leaders of the three parties (Liberal Democrats, Democrats and Liberals) announced the creation of a coalition on December 30, 2010. Negotiations to create a coalition lasted more than a month.

According to the agreement, the top posts should be distributed as follows: Prime Minister - Liberal Democrat Vladimir Filat, President - Democrat Mirian Lupu, Speaker - Liberal Mihai Ghimpu. Lupu will temporarily serve as chairman of parliament until he is elected head of state.

On January 14, 2011, parliamentarians by a majority vote from the Alliance approved the composition of the new government headed by Vladimir Filat.

To control the activities of the government and coordinate the positions of the Alliance in the new coalition, the Alliance Council was created, and a presidium was created in the government and the position of the secretary general of the government and his deputies was introduced, who should coordinate the work of the cabinet.

On March 16, 2012, the parliament of the republic elected the president of the country. This was Nicolae Timofti, who received 62 votes (the minimum number of votes required for election is 61). He was nominated by the Alliance for European Integration coalition.

At the beginning of March 2013, the government headed by V. Filat was dismissed. 54 deputies, communists, members of the Democratic Party and several independent deputies voted for the vote of no confidence.

Literature:

Soviet Union. Geographical description. Moldova. M., 1970
History of the Moldavian SSR from ancient times to the present day. Chisinau, 1982
Soviet Moldova: Encyclopedia. Chisinau, 1982
Pages of the history of Soviet Moldova. Chisinau, 1990
On the issue of Gagauz autonomy. Chisinau, 1990
Nedelchuk V. The Republic of Moldova. Chisinau, 1992
Republic of Moldova in 1989–1991 View from the outside. Chisinau, 1992
The Bessarabian question and the formation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Collection of official documents. Tiraspol, 1993
Ostapenko L.V., Subbotina I.A. Russians in Moldova: problems employment and migration. M., 1996
Bessarabia at the crossroads of European diplomacy. Documents and materials. M., 1996
Unrecognized Republic.Essays. Documentation. Chronicle, vol. 1–2. M., 1997



Have you decided to organize a holiday in Moldova? Looking for the best hotels in Moldova, last minute tours, resorts and last minute tours? Are you interested in the weather in Moldova, prices, cost of travel, do you need a visa to the Republic of Moldova and would a detailed map be useful? Would you like to see what the Republic of Moldova looks like in photos and videos? What excursions and attractions are in Moldova? What are the stars and reviews of hotels in Moldova?

The Republic of Moldova- a state in southeastern Europe. It borders with Ukraine in the north, east and south and Romania in the west. Part of the territory of Moldova is controlled by the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic. 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.

The surface of Moldova is a hilly plain dissected by river valleys. The average height above sea level is 147 m, and Mount Balanesti reaches its maximum height at 429.5 m.

Airports of the Republic of Moldova

Beltsy Airport

Chisinau International Airport

Hotels in the Republic of Moldova 1 - 5 stars

Moldova weather

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.

Language of Moldova

Official language: Moldovan

The majority of the population knows Russian well; English is used in the tourism sector.

Currency of Moldova

International name: MDL

In circulation - banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 lei, as well as coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 bani.

Cash currency, including US dollars, euros and rubles, can be easily exchanged for lei at any of the many exchange offices and banks.
ATMs are available at almost every major bank, and in a number of new shopping centers. Payment by credit cards is accepted in luxury hotels, some of the largest shopping centers in Chisinau and a number of restaurants.

The Transnistrian Republic has adopted its own currency - the Transnistrian ruble, equal to 100 kopecks. This is not a convertible currency that does not circulate outside Transnistria. The use of credit cards and travel checks on the territory of Transnistria is almost impossible.

Visa

Facilitated entry regime

For Mr. Russia, entry into Moldova is visa-free. It is enough to present your passport at the border.

Customs restrictions

The import of foreign currency into the country is not limited (it is better to declare the money). The export of banknotes, coins and checks in foreign currency is permitted within the amount specified in the customs declaration. It is mandatory to declare all banknotes, coins and checks in foreign and local currency. 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. Amounts above this limit 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 - 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.

When importing firearms, bladed weapons, explosives, gas cartridges, permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova is required. When importing animals - a veterinary certificate. When importing medicines in quantities greater than necessary for one person for one course of treatment, as well as narcotic and psychotropic substances for medical purposes, permission from the Ministry of Health is required. The import of food products without a certificate of conformity, poisonous, radioactive, explosive substances and items, printed and visual materials that contain propaganda of ideas of war and violence is prohibited.

Mains voltage

Kitchen

Dishes of Moldavian cuisine are popular far beyond the republic’s borders. This is not accidental, since the widespread use and original arrangement of a variety of vegetables and fruits, all kinds of spices and seasonings give many dishes a unique taste and spiciness. Experts say that Moldovan cuisine, which has extensive historical experience, is one of the extremely tasty and healthy cuisines thanks to the rich assortment of vegetables and fruits, as well as the art of combining various products.

Code of the country: +373

Geographic first level domain name:.md