Brief information
Small Moldova is often simply not noticed on the map of Europe. For some reason, it is believed that Moldova is a kind of “Romania in miniature”. To some extent, this is, of course, true. But, nevertheless, Moldova is an independent unique state that any traveler will like. Moldova has medieval monasteries, churches, fortresses, and other interesting sights. In addition, this country has several balneological resorts and, of course, a lot of wine.
Geography of Moldova
Moldova is located in Eastern Europe. In the west it borders with Romania, and in the north, south and east – with Ukraine. The total area of Moldova is 33,846 sq. km., and the total length of the border is 1,389 km.
About 13% of the territory of Moldova is occupied by forests, the highest point of the country is Mount Balanesti, whose height reaches 430 meters.
Capital
According to itypejob.com, the capital of Moldova is the city of Chisinau, whose population now totals more than 730 thousand people. The settlement of people on the territory of modern Chisinau appeared in the first half of the 15th century.
Official language
In Moldova, the official language is Moldovan, belonging to the Romance language family.
Religion
The overwhelming majority of the Moldovan population (over 93%) professes Orthodox Christianity. However, there is also a small number of Protestants in the country (more than 1.9%).
State structure of Moldova
According to computerminus.com, Moldova is a parliamentary republic, the head of which is the President, who is elected by the deputies of the local Parliament. The Moldovan Parliament consists of 101 deputies.
Deputies of the Moldovan Parliament are elected by direct universal suffrage for 4 years.
Climate and weather
The climate in Moldova is temperate continental with mild and dry winters and warm summers. The average air temperature in January is from -4C, and in summer +20C. As for precipitation, in the north of Moldova it falls on average 600 mm per year, and in the south – 400 mm.
Rivers and lakes
There are several large rivers in Moldova. These are, first of all, the Dniester, Prut, and Reut. In addition, Moldova has 600 meters of Danube coastline.
As for the lakes in Moldova, there are almost 60 of them in this country. The largest of them are Beleu, Drachele, Manta, and Rotunda.
History of Moldova
The first people on the territory of modern Moldova appeared about 6,500 years ago. During the Eneolithic period, Tripoli and Gumelnytsky cultures lived in Moldova. Then Cimmerians, Thracians, and even Scythians lived on the territory of modern Moldova.
At the beginning of the 6th century, the Slavs appeared in Moldova, and in the 10th century, the Cumans. Then a significant part of Moldova became part of the Mongol-Tatar Golden Horde.
Only in 1359 the Moldavian principality was formed, which was dependent on Poland. In 1456, the Principality of Moldavia became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire.
In the 18th century, Moldova fell into the sphere of interests of the Russian Empire. As a result of long wars with the Ottoman Empire, after the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace, the Moldavian principality actually became part of the Russian Empire.
In accordance with the Bucharest Peace Treaty of 1812, Moldavia officially became part of Russia, while having greater autonomy. In 1871, Moldavia was transformed into the Bessarabian Governorate within Russia.
In January 1918, Bessarabia declared its independence from Russia. As a result of the turbulent events of the first half of the 20th century, part of Moldova (Bessarabia) was annexed to Romania, and the rest of the country formed the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, within the USSR.
In 1940, under pressure from the USSR, Romania was forced to agree to the annexation of Bessarabia to the Moldavian SSR.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Moldavian SSR received significant funds from the USSR budget for the development of industry, science, and housing construction. At that time, the standard of living in Moldova was one of the highest in the entire USSR.
In August 1991, Moldova declared its independence. After that, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic was created in Tiraspol, which is now referred to as the so-called. “unrecognized” republics.
Culture
Moldova is located at the intersection of Slavic and Latin (Catholic) cultures. Thanks to this, Moldovan culture is very original and unique.
The most popular holidays in Moldova are New Year, Christmas, Independence Day, National Language Day, Martisor (welcome of spring), Easter, Trinity, and National Wine Day.
The holiday “Martisor” is celebrated in Moldova every year on March 1. On this day, Moldovans give each other chains decorated with flowers – Martisors. This means that Spring conquers Winter.
Cuisine of Moldova
Moldovan cuisine is very similar to Romanian cuisine. At the same time, Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish culinary traditions also had a noticeable influence on Moldovan cuisine. The main products of Moldovan cuisine are meat (beef, pork), potatoes, cabbage.
For tourists in Moldova, we definitely recommend trying Zama soup, lamb chorba, corn borscht, Moldavian schnitzel, hominy (corn porridge), olivanka (a dish of corn, sheep cheese, pork and flour), placinda with a variety of fillings (pastries), sarali with cottage cheese (reminiscent of pies), and much more.
Moldova is famous for its wines. In general, in Moldova there is a kind of cult of wine. Every year on the second Sunday of October, Moldova celebrates the Day of Wine. In addition, Moldovans make several good brands of cognac.
Sights of Moldova
The centuries-old history of Moldova is reflected in a large number of various sights. The top ten Moldovan attractions, in our opinion, include the following:
- Novo-Nyametsky Monastery
- Triumphal Arch in Chisinau
- Wine cellars in Milestii Mici
- Fortress Soroca
- Monument to Stephen the Great in Chisinau
- Monastery of Capriana
- Memorial complex “Sherpen Bridgehead”
- Hincu monastery
- Tipova Monastery
- Causeni Church.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Moldova are Rybnitsa, Balti, and, of course, Chisinau.
There are many thermal and mineral springs in Moldova. Balneological resorts have been built near some of them. So, the mineral springs of the Moldavian city of Cahul were known in the days of the USSR.
Souvenirs/Shopping
We advise tourists to bring handicrafts, ceramics, carpets, Moldavian musical instruments (nai – a multi-barreled flute and cymbals), as well as Moldavian wine and cognac as souvenirs from Moldova.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00
Shops:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-17:00
Offices:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00
Visa
Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to enter Moldova (if the duration of the trip does not exceed 90 days), it is enough for them to present their Ukrainian passport at customs.
Currency of Moldova
The Moldovan leu (its international designation: MDL) is the official currency of Moldova. One Moldovan leu = 100 bani. Shops, hotels and restaurants in Chisinau accept all major credit cards.
Customs restrictions
You can import foreign currency into Moldova without restrictions, we recommend declaring money. It is forbidden to import firearms into Moldova without a permit, and animals can be imported only with a veterinary certificate.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Address of the Embassy of Moldova in Ukraine:
Index – 01901, Kiev, st. Yagotinskaya, 2 T:
(044) 521-22-80
mail: [email protected]
Address of the Embassy of Ukraine in Moldova:
Index – 2008, Chisinau, st. Vasile Lupu, 17
T: (8 10 373 22) 58-21-51
Email. mail: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
901 – Fire brigade
902 – Police
903 – Ambulance
Time
Moldova is in the same time zone as Ukraine. This means that if in Chisinau, for example, in the summer it is 09:00 am, then in Kyiv it is also 09:00 am.
Tips
Tipping in Moldova is usually 5-10% of the bill.
The medicine
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Moldova.
Security
Petty crimes (for example, pickpocketing) are committed quite often in Moldova, especially in crowded places. There were cases when criminals, posing as police officers, extorted bribes from foreigners.
