- For other uses see Moldova (disambiguation)
The Republic of Moldova (conventional long form, conventional short form: Moldova, local official long form: Republica Moldova) is a landlocked country in eastern Europe, located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the east. Its border with Romania follows the Prut and lower Danube rivers. Historically part of Romania it was united with Romania in 1918, then it was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1945 after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as the Moldavian SSR. It declared its independence from the USSR on 27 August 1991.
History
Main article: History of Moldova
Moldova's territory was inhabited in ancient times by Dacians. Situated on a strategic route between Asia and Europe, Moldova has suffered from several invasions, including those of the Kievan Rus' and the Mongols.
During the Middle Ages the territory of Republica Moldova (including most of present-day Moldova but also including districts to the north and south, known as Northern Bukovina and Bugeac) formed the eastern part of the Romanian principality of Moldavia (which, like the present-day republic, was known in Romanian as "Moldova"). The principality became tributary to the Ottoman Empire during 16th century. Following the Treaty of Bucharest in 1812, it was annexed by Russia together with Ottoman Bessarabia or Bugeac. At first, the Russians used the name "Gubernya of Moldova and Bessarabya", but later called it simply Bessarabia. The western part of Moldavia remained an autonomous principality and united with Wallachia to form Romania in 1859.
At the end of World War I, Bessarabia proclaimed independence from Russia in 1918, and united with the Kingdom of Romania the same year, as did Transylvania. The united territory (the most extensive Romanian state in history) is sometimes referred to as Greater Romania, and remained intact until World War II. The Soviet Union invaded Bessarabia in June 1940 in an agreement with Germany expressed in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and though forced out again in 1941, Soviet troops re-occupied and annexed the area in August 1944. Soviet rule brought a harsh de-nationalization policy. The southern and northern parts (which had some Slavic and Turkic minorities) were transferred to Ukraine. At the same time, Transnistria (where, at that time, ethnic Romanians outnumbered Slavs) was joined to the remainder to form the "Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic", identical in territory to present-day Moldova. Under Stalin, ethnic Russians were brought into the new country, especially into urbanized areas, while large numbers of ethnic Romanians were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. The overall result was the destruction of Romanian elites and middle-classes, and their replacement with Soviet (mostly Slavic) elements.
Along with the other peripheral Soviet republics, Moldova started to move towards independence from 1991 onwards; in August 1991, Moldova declared its independence and in December of that year became a member of the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States along with most of the former Soviet republics. At the end of that year, an ex-communist reformer, Mircea Snegur, won an election for the presidency. Four months later, the country achieved formal recognition as an independent state at the United Nations.
The part of Moldova east of the Dniestr River, Transnistria—which is more heavily industrialized and is populated by a larger proportion of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians—claimed independence in 1991, fearing Moldovan unification with Romania. Russian and Ukrainian forces intervened on the Transnistrian side, and remain there to keep the peace. The OSCE is involved in negotiations between the Transnistrian leaders and Chişinău.
A March 1994 referendum saw an overwhelming majority of voters favouring continued independence. In the 2001 elections, the Communist party won a majority of seats in the Parliament and appointed a Communist president, Vladimir Voronin. Once again in the election held in 2005, the Communist party was re-elected and appointed Voronin for a second term. Despite great strain and attemped influence on the election, the Russians sent to "keep watch" over the election were not allowed in the country.
In effect, the Russian-Moldovan ties have greatly weakened, and the nation is split between building ties with Romania or Russia.
In 1992, Moldova was involved in a short-term war with Russia and Ukrainian armed power. People called kozaks (in fact, Ukrainian mercenaries) fought, supported by and alongside the Russian army. The war started with an attack of Russian mercenaries on the Moldavian town of Dubosari, situated on the eastern bank of Dniestr, but unloyal to the separatist regime. Since 1992, Russia has maintained a military occupation of the eastern regions of Republic of Moldova. The puppet pro-Russian Transnistrian Moldavian Republic separatist regime established in the occupied territory is undemocratic, and since 1992 no rotations in the political power have taken place in this area. The Transnistrian regime has enforced Russification, the denationalization of ethnic Ukrainians and the discrimination against Moldavians (the attacks of Transdnestrian police against the Moldavian schools from Tiraspol, Tighina (Bender), and Rîbniţa in 2004).
National symbols
Flag
The Moldovan flag is similar to the flag of Romania, with the same color, but with the addition of a coat of arms, expressing the link between the same nation.
Currency
The currency of Moldova, the leu (plural: lei) has the same name as the currency of Romania. The name means "lion".
Ştefan cel Mare
Ştefan cel Mare ("Stephen the Great and Holy"), Dracula's cousin, was the most important Prince of Moldavia. He was born around 1436, at Borzeşti, Bacău County, and died at Suceava in 2 July 1504. He ruled 47 years, from 14 April 1457 to 2 July 1504. He is considered a national hero in both Romania and Republic of Moldova, being a symbol link between them.
Russian occupation and oppresion against romanian part of Moldova
Declaration of unification of Romania & Bessarabia
Between 1711 and 1812, Russia occupied the region five times during wars between Ottoman Empire, Russia, and Austria. Between 1820 and 1846, the Gagauz tribes migrated to Russia via the Danube, after living many oppressive years under Ottoman rule, and settled in southern Bessarabia. Turkic-speaking tribes of the Nogai Horde also inhabited the Budjak Region of southern Bessarabia from the 16th to 18th centuries, but were totally driven out prior to 1812.
By the Treaty of Bucharest of May 28, 1812 Russia annexed the Eastern half of the Principality of Moldavia. That region was then called Bessarabia. Prior to this year, the name was used only for approximately its southern one quarter, which as stated before was already under direct Ottoman control ever since 1484. At the end of the Crimean War, in 1856, by the Treaty of Paris, two districts of southern Bessarabia were returned to Moldova, Russia lost access to the Danube river. Many localities, including Chişinău (Kishinev in Russian), now fell in the border area.
After the Russian Revolution, a Romanian nationalist movement started to develop in Bessarabia. In the chaos brought by the Russian revolution of October 1917, a National Council (Sfatul Ţării) was established in Bessarabia, with 120 members elected from Bessarabia and 10 elected from Transnistria (the left shore of the river Dnister, inhabited by ethnic Moldavians/Romanians).
On April 9, 1918 (old style March 27, 1918) the Bessarabian legislature (Sfatul Ţării) voted in favor of unification with Romania with 86 votes in favor, 3 against and 36 abstentions. The union was confirmed by Romania's Western allies in the Treaty of Paris (1920).
On June 26, 1940, as a consequence of the terms of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the USSR issued a ultimative note that required Romania to cede Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, and evacuate in four days (unless, war would ensue). The two provinces had an area of 20,000 square miles (51,000 km²) and they were inhabited by about 3.75 million people, mostly Romanians. Two days later |Romania administration started to retreat from the provinces. Soviet troops entered Bessarabia and incorporated it into the USSR, which divided it between the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Ukrainian SSR.
Relations with Romania and the European Union
Moldova's relationship with Romania, which is set to become a European Union (EU) member in 2007, has also been strained, with Moldova publicly making various accusations against Romania. The prospect of union with Romania is constantly an issue, though certainly not an imminent prospect as of 2005. When Romania joins the EU, and Moldova will later unify with Romania, it could automatically become part of the EU, just as East Germany entered the EU when it reunified with West Germany in 1990. In september 2005, President of Moldova Voronin met the romanian President Basescu and he declared textually "We go with Romania until the end" meaning the fact that the same nation will have a common future.
The government has stated that Moldova has European aspirations but there has been little progress. On May 1, 2004 many EU enthusiasts waving the EU flags found their flags confiscated by police and some were arrested under the clause of "anti-nationalism." At present, Moldova remains the one of the poorest country in Europe, with rampant corruption and a sadly booming trade in people.
On October 6, 2005 the EU opened it's permanent mission in Chişinău, the capital city of Moldova.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Moldova
The unicameral Moldovan parliament, or Parlament, has 101 seats, and its members are elected by popular vote every 4 years. The parliament then elects a president, who functions as the head of state. The president appoints a prime minister as head of government who in turn assembles a cabinet, both subject to parliamentary approval.
The largest party in the parliament is currently the Communist Party of Moldova (Partidul Comuniştilor din Republica Moldova, or PCRM), which also supplies the current president.
Administrative divisions
Main article: Administrative divisions of Moldova
Moldova is divided into 32 districts (raion, pl. raioane), 3 municipalities (Chişinău, Bălţi and Bender), two semi-autonomous regions (Găgăuzia and the breakaway region of Transnistria, whose status is still disputed). The districts are:
1. Anenii Noi 2. Basarabeasca 3. Briceni 4. Cahul 5. Cantemir 6. Călăraşi 7. Căuşeni 8. Cimişlia 9. Criuleni 10. Donduşeni 11. Drochia 12. Dubăsari 13. Edineţ 14. Făleşti 15. Floreşti 16. Glodeni 17. Hînceşti 18. Ialoveni 19. Leova 20. Nisporeni 21. Ocniţa 22. Orhei 23. Rezina 24. Rîşcani 25. Sîngerei 26. Soroca 27. Străşeni 28. Şoldăneşti 29. Ştefan Voda 30. Taraclia 31. Teleneşti 32. Ungheni
Before being divided into counties (during the Soviet times and up until the late 1990s), Moldova had been composed of 40 districts. These territorial and administrative changes over such short periods of time are simply a reflection of the current main policy of the ruling party or coalition (therefore, the ruling Communist Party, which favors the old-style Soviet districts, reinstated them two years after they got to power in 2001).
As no other nation recognises Transnistria, it is de jure a part of Moldova, although in reality it is not controlled by the Moldovan government.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Moldova
The western border of Moldova is formed by the Prut river, which joins the Danube before flowing into the Black Sea. In the north-east, the Dniester is the main river, flowing through the country from north to south.
The country is landlocked, even though it is very close to the Black Sea. While the northern part of the country is hilly, elevations never exceed 430 m (the highest point being the Dealul Bălăneşti).
Moldova has a temperate continental climate, with warm summers, but mild winters.
The country's main cities are the capital Chişinău, in the centre of the country, Tiraspol (in Transnistria), Bălţi and Bender.
See List of cities in Moldova
Economy
Main article: Economy of Moldova
Moldova enjoys a favourable 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 all of its supplies of petroleum, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
As part of an ambitious economic liberalisation effort, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatisation, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth. Recent trends indicate that the communist government intends to reverse some of these policies, and recollectivise land while placing more restrictions on private business.
The economy returned to positive growth, of 2.1% in 2000 and 6.1% in 2001. Growth remained strong in 2002, in part because of the reforms and because of starting from a small base. Further liberalisation is in doubt because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors.
Moldova remains the poorest country in Europe in terms of GDP per capita as purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2005 est.).
National budget of Moldova:
| # |
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
| 1. |
National Budget |
2 Bn€ |
2.3 Bn€ |
2.7 Bn€ (est.) |
3 Bn€ (est.) |
3.5 Bn€(est.) |
| 2. |
Percentage of GDP% |
34% |
35 % |
34%(est.) |
33%(est.) |
36 %(est.) |
Tourism in Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is a beautiful small country, situated in the Southeast part of Europe, neighboring Romania to the West and Ukraine to the East. This piece of land boasts a rich history, abundant in dramatic and agitated events.
Demographics
- Main article: Demographics of Moldova
Population density in Moldova
Ethnic Composition - 1989
Ethnic composition
(according to the 2004 census)
According to a May 19, 2005 story in Moldova Azi [1], a group of international census experts described the Moldavian census as "generally conducted in a professional manner", while remarking that that "a few topics… were potentially more problematic". Among the problematic topics:
- The census includes at least some Moldovans who had been living abroad over one year at the time of the census.
- The precision of numbers about nationality/ethnicity and language was questioned. Some enumerators apparently encouraged respondents to declare that they were "Moldovan" rather than "Romanian", and even within a single family there may have been confusion about these terms.
- With respect to these matters, especially the latter, the expert group recommended that the Moldovan National Bureau of Statistics carry out an evaluation study, offered their assistance in doing so, and indicated their intention of further studying the matter themselves.
Religions
(2000)
Sport in Moldova
Many Moldovan athletes compete in Romania or in the EU.
Education and Science
New Intranet/Internet technologies are actively developed in the scientific and educational spheres. Basic networking and information technologies are elaborated now in the Academy of Sciences and leading universities of Moldova. Networking infrastructure for science and education in Moldova development passed several stages. Initially many scientific and educational organizations in Moldova developed their internal networking segments separately, as independent sub-networks, but soon the real needs of scientific-educational society have required uniting these efforts.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Moldova
Tourism in Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is a beautiful small country, situated in the Southeast part of Europe, neighboring Romania to the West and Ukraine to the East. This piece of land boasts a rich history, abundant in dramatic and agitated events.
Miscellaneous topics
See also
Notes
- ^ Experts Offering to Consult the National Statistics Bureau in Evaluation of the Census Data, Moldova Azi, May 19, 2005, story attributed to AP Flux. Retrieved October 11, 2005.
References
External links
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