Moldova
Official Country Name
Moldova
Moldova Overview
Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001.
Moldova Economy
Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas to Moldova in disputes over pricing. The economy achieved six percent or more GDP growth every year from 2000-2005, though this was based largely on consumption fueled by remittances received from Moldovans working abroad. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006 and greatly exacerbated Moldova's economic troubles. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls; nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region continues to be a drag on the Moldovan economy.
Moldova Location
Moldova is located in Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Region
Moldova is located in Europe
Moldova Population
Moldova has population of 4,466,706 (July 2006 est.)
Moldova Climate
Moldova has moderate winters, warm summers
Moldova Terrain
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Moldova Natural Resources
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Ethnic Groups in Moldova
Moldova has the following ethnic groups - Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Moldova Religions
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Moldova Languages
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Moldova Capital
Moldova capital is Chisinau (Kishinev)
Moldova Currency
Moldova currency is Moldovan leu
Map of Moldova
