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Moldova: geography and population
The Republic of Moldova, the second smallest former Soviet republic, declared its independence on August 27, 1991, recognized by more than 170 countries worldwide, is member of UN, Council of Europe and WTO.
Geography
Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine (450 km of border with first one and 939 km with second one), with the exception of 0,7 km of the Danube River, all of Moldova's territory is landlocked. By size, territory of 33 845 sq. km., it takes the 32rd place in Europe and the 134th place in the world. The Republic of Moldova is also one of the smallest State in Europe by its population. As for its ethnical structure we can say that the Republic of Moldova is a multinational state where live: Romanians- 64%, Ukranians-14%, Russians-13%, and other nationalities (Gagauzi, Bulgarians, Jews, Greeks, Turks and Gypsies).
In spite of this, the Republic of Moldova is one of the most densely populated European countries. Its population grew from 3 million in 1961 to nearly 4.4 million in 1995. Population density increased, respectively, from 88 to 129 persons per square kilometer. The urban population is 47%, the rest are residing in rural areas. More than 60% of the urban population is concentrated in the capital city of Chisinau (with a population of 750.000) and in big centers Balti, Tiraspol and Tighina. Sixty-eight percent of the rural population resides in urban-type communities and more than 1.600 villages all over the country. The biggest Moldavian cities are Chisinau, Balti (the most populated North city, called also “North capital” with 160.000 inhabitants), Tiraspol (capital of Transdnestrian region, with 204.000 inhabitants), Tighina (137.000 habitants), Anenii Noi, Cahul, Ceadir-Lunga, Comrat, Dubasari, Leova, Orhei, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Ungheni, Drochia, Lapusna, Edinet.
Language
As per Constitution, the official language of Moldova is the Moldavian, used, as language of state, in all fields of political, economic, social and cultural life, apart from the fact that is used as interethnic communication language all over the territory of Republic. The Moldavian is the most diffused language in state institutions, public administration and organizations in general. Along with Moldavian, on the territory of Republic is also used the Russian language, as communication language. The Republic of Moldova, also recognizes and preserves the use of Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian, Hebrew, Yiddish, Gypsy and languages of other ethnic groups living on the territory, in order to satisfy their social-cultural needs. Generally, the young people know and speak many foreign languages: the most prevailing are English, French, German and Italian.
Religion
The official religion is Orthodox Christianity (95%). A small part of population is of Jewish religion (1,5%) and there are about a thousand of Baptist Christians; there are also a little Roman-Catholic community. In Moldova there are more than 850 churches, 30 Christian -orthodox monasteries, 2 Anglican churches and more than 60 churches of Seventh-Day Adventists. There is also one synagogue.
Currency
The national currency is Moldavian Leu (1 Leu=100 bani), bank cod MDL. In exchange 16 lei is about 1 euro, 12 lei is about 1 American dollar.
The capital
Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is situated on the bank of Byc River. Raised as urban settlement in 1436, nowadays it has a population of more than 780.000 inhabitants and is the political, industrial, financial, scientific and cultural center of the country. More than 54% of Moldavian industry is concentrated in Chisinau, particularly engineering, electric appliances and technical instruments plants, production of construction materials, chemical industry, textile industry, furniture plants, food industry and alcohol production, etc. There are also situated in Chisinau the administrative bodies of commercial banks, assurance companies, movable and real estate agencies. As scientific and cultural center, the capital is the head-quarter of publishers and national journals, national TV and broadcasting companies, Science Academy, scientific and research institutions, universities, theatres, museums, galleries, public libraries, etc.
The Transdnestrian territory
At the oriental extremity of Moldova, right at the border with Ukraine, is situated the Transdnestrian territory, self-declared since 1991 as autonomous Republic as result of separation from Moldova. During the Soviet regime, in Transdnestria was deployed numerous Russian troops. Nowadays weapons and ammunitions are still on this territory, representing one of the critical elements of its situation and mutual relations with bordering countries.
The Transdnestria, self-declared as autonomous Republic, was not recognized by any other country in the world, has neither diplomatic missions nor diplomatic relations with any country. The population living on this territory is about 900 thousands inhabitants, most of them in exodus or living in condition of extreme poverty. The European Union is defining the Transdnestrian problem as the most serious at the moment. The mutual relations between Transdnestria and Moldova are very tenuous, so that between both territories there are intermediary peacemaking troops, in order to refrain from repetition of armed conflicts, happened in the past.
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