Republic of Moldova - Republica Moldova

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Important dates
Capital	Kishinev
Form of government	republic
Currency	Moldovan lion
Surface	total: 33,843 km²
Population	4,455,421 (est. July 2006)
Language	Romanian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz (Turkish dialect)
Religion	Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 98%, Ido 1.5%, Baptists and others 0.5%

Republic of Moldova is a country in Eastern Europe, north of BALKANS, being neighboring Romania to the southwest along the Prut and Ukraine to the northeast.

To know

Political context

The capital of the Republic of Moldova is Kishinev. The majority language is Romanian (officially called here, Moldovan) using the Latin alphabet, but Russian is widely used in society. Moldova is a multiethnic republic and has suffered violent ethnic conflicts. In 1994, this conflict led to its creation TRANSNISTRIA, a non-sovereign region recognized only by Moscow that occupies the territory of eastern Moldova, between Nistru and the border with Ukraine and which has its own government and currency (Transnistrian ruble). In recent years, economic ties have re-emerged between Moldova and the non-sovereign region of Transnistria, but political negotiations are still failing. The majority religion in the Republic of Moldova is mostly Orthodox, belonging to the Metropolitan Church of Chisinau and Moldova (belonging to the Russian Church), and / or the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia (part of the Romanian Orthodox Church).

Moldova's economy is mostly agricultural, the main economic activities being agriculture, processing of agricultural products and viticulture. Once known as the "garden" of the Soviet Union's communist empire, Moldova has lost much of its Russian markets for its agricultural products and is exploring new possible markets, especially in the EU.

The climate

The climate is cold continental with cold winters with snow and a moderate spring and autumn. Summer is very hot.

Relief

Administrative map of the Republic of Moldova

Although the northern part is hilly, but the highest peaks do not exceed 430 m (the highest point being Bălănești Hill). The central and northern part of the country is located on the Codru Plateau, and the southern part - on the Bugeac Plain. The arable areas occupy 53% of the surface of the Republic of Moldova, those intended for cereal cultivation - 14%, pastures - 13%, forests - 9%. Other areas, including unproductive land, make up 11% of the state's entire territory. The soils are generally of medium quality, both chernozems and podzols can be found. Although the Republic of Moldova does not have access to the sea, the port on the Danube in Giurgiulesti ensures the service of maritime transport.

Extreme points: the lowest: Dniester River 2 metersthe tallest: Bălănești Hill 430 m

The history

The current territory of the Republic of Moldova was part of Romania from 1918 until 1941 when the Soviet Union forcibly annexed it at the beginning of the Second World War.

From antiquity until 1812 it seemed The country of Moldova who united with Tara Românească on January 24, 1859 forming Romania.

Independence - 27 August 1991 (vis-à-vis the Soviet Union)
National Day - Independence Day (Republic), August 27 (1991)
The Constitution - the new constitution was adopted on 28 July 1994, replacing that of the 1979 Soviet Union.

Although it has declared independence from the USSR since 1991, Russian military forces remain in Moldova, on the left bank of the Dniester, supported by the Slavic minority population, mostly Ukrainians or Russians, who have self-proclaimed the "Transnistrian" Republic.

The poorest country in Europe, Moldova was the first European (former Soviet) state to elect a communist president in 2001. In 2012, the Communists still held 40% of the seats in the Moldovan Parliament. There are fears about a possible return of the Communists to power, but the ruling pro-European democratic coalition remains relatively in control.

regions

Map of Moldova

Transnistria, region on the left bank of the Dniester River, self-declared "Dniester Moldovan Republic".
Gagauzia, an autonomous region within Moldova, with its capital at Comrat.

Cities

Kishinev - The capital - is as an administrative unit a municipality. A beautiful city, good to visit for a few days. It is one of the greenest cities in Europe, being located on 7 hills. Objectives to visit are: Grand National Assembly Square, History Museum, Military Museum, Alley of Romanian Writers, Statue of Stephen the Great and Saint (Moldovans almost adore him) and the buildings of the main state institutions located in the same area on Stefan Cel Boulevard Great and Holy.
Balti, a predominantly Russian-speaking city with Soviet "vestiges".
Comrat, is the capital of the Autonomous Region "Găugazia".
Soroca

Other destinations

Voda's ford, in summer there is a beach on the bank of the Dniester River.
Cricova, is also called the city of sunshine and is well known for its natural galleries of over 120 km used for storing wine.
Milestii Mici, where there is the largest wine collection in the world.
The cave monastic ensemble from Tipova
Tiraspol, if you want to see a particle still alive in the Soviet Union. In Transnistria there is only one chain of stores, the famous "Sheriff" stores.

Arrival / Departure

Romanian citizens, you have eu, US, states CIS, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Japan do not need visas to enter the Republic of Moldova and can stay up to 90 days in 6 months without registering. Citizens of other states must obtain an entry visa from the nearest Moldovan embassy or can obtain a visa when arriving by plane at Chisinau International Airport or at land border crossing points provided an invitation is given.

If you want to enter the Republic of Moldova from Ukraine, you must know that if you enter through the east of the Republic of Moldova, you will enter the territory of the secessionist and unrecognized region. "Transnistria”. There are a number of buses that run from Odessa (Ukraine) to Tiraspol - the capital of this region, while others bypass the Transnistrian territories. Transnistria is an unrecognized international "state" under Russian occupation between Moldova and Ukraine, which seceded from Moldova after the 1992 war. refrains from entering Transnistrian territory, given the "sympathies" of local authorities and especially soldiers at border crossings. Westerners also faced problems when entering / leaving or crossing Transnistria, being asked for bribes to be allowed to leave.

By plane

The main airport in Rep. Moldova is Chisinau International Airport.

The busiest airlines are between Chisinau and Bucharest, Budapest, Istanbul, Moscow, Munich, Timisoara and Vienna. Ticket prices are somewhat high, there is no low-cost line and the cheapest tickets can be bought to Bucharest, Istanbul, Kiev and Moscow. Moldova has 3 airlines. The cheapest flight from Bucharest to Chisinau is 158 euros by Air Moldova Tarom it costs 265 euros.

With train

It is probably the cheapest way to enter Moldova. Trains are night and depart from Romania (Iasi, Bucharest) and Ukraine (Odessa, Kiev). A train ticket from Bucharest to Chisinau costs about 110 lei compared to 158 euros for a plane ticket.

By car

When you drive to Moldova make sure you pay the toll (Vinieta) which costs 16 lei per day (1 euro / 4 lei). You also need car liability insurance for the car, the Romanian Green Paper does not include the Republic of Moldova.

By minibus or bus

There are regular flights between Chisinau and Bucharest, Kiev and most major cities in Romania and Ukraine. There are 5 or 6 races a day only from Bucharest. Due to the wait at customs, a trip lasts even 10 hours.

Bucharest, 6 daily 69 RON, 12 hoursBraşov, 5 daily 55 RON, 13 hoursSevastopol, daily 118 RON, 18 hoursOdessa, 20 daily 25 RON, 5 hoursMoscow, 4 daily 192 RON, 30 hoursKiev, 2 daily 69 lei, 12 hours [www.autogara.md]

By ship

Although the country does not have access to the sea, there is a ferry system between the port Giurgiuleşti in Moldova and Istanbul, Turkey, across the Danube and the Black Sea. They leave Giurgiulesti every month and arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday.

All around

The safest means of transport is the public bus system - they take to most localities in the country.

From Chisinau you can reach the whole country by bus. There are 3 bus stops in every town or village in Moldova. The fastest are the maxi-taxis (called rOAD) but they are not very spacious, having only around 15 seats.

In the center of Chisinau and on the main streets there are also trolleybuses managed by the local authority.

Discussions

The national language is Romanian but it is called "MOLDOVA”. Russian is widely used in society, the media, the press, restaurants and shops being considered a language ethnic. Ukrainian and Gagauz are recognized as minority languages, with official status in areas with majority concentrations of native speakers. English and less French are the most popular foreign languages taught in Moldovan schools.

To see

The second largest city in the Republic of Moldova, Balti it is worth visiting just like the capital. Visit especially the old parts of the cities and pedestrian areas.

Ungheni is also one of the most beautiful cities in Rep. Moldova with a lot of places to visit.

Rep. Moldova is famous for its wines. It is the main tourist attraction of the country.

Cricova - the second large wine collection from Rep. Moldova with over 120 kilometers long underground caves. Just 15 minutes from Chisinau is the favorite of tourists 373 22-277 378.

Purcarului - It is the oldest winery in the Republic of Moldova. Purcari wine was drunk by the Russian emperor Nicholas II, the English King George V, Queen Victoria and King Ferdinand of Romania. It is especially famous for the Red wine of Purcari 373 22 29 59 11.

Milestii Mici - With over 200 kilometers of underground caves, it is the largest wine collection in the world. It is easier to book a visit through a travel agency because a tour car is required.[1] 373 22 382 333

Capriana Monastery - It is one of the most prominent monasteries just 40 kilometers from Chisinau. There are regular races every hour in the morning.

Soroca - Known as the "Capital of Gypsies in Moldova". The hill to the west of the city is adorned with many typical gypsy houses. The town is near the Soroca fort built by Stephen the Great in 1499.

Bender / Tighina - another fortification is "Bender Fortress”, However, is used as a military training base and cannot be visited. The best view is from the bridge leading to Tiraspol.

Tiraspol - the second largest city, has many museums and a very beautiful park along the Dniester River. It is the capital of Transnistria, so a visit could become problematic for Romanian citizens.

Orheiul Vechi - is the most famous location in the Republic of Moldova, The Stone Monastery, located about 30 minutes from Chisinau.

Pushkin Museum - you can visit the house where Puschin lived when he was exiled from Russia between 1820-23.

Chisinau History Museum - must be visited if you pass through Chisinau.

Cathedral Park - Better known as Central Park, it is right in the center of Chisinau. It is located near the Cathedral of the Nativity, the largest church in the city. In the southeast of the city is the Triumphal Arch with clock built in 1841 which is in the middle of the Grand National Assembly Square. Across Stephen the Great and Holy Boulevard is the Government House. The largest flower market in the city is in the northern part of the part along Bănulescu Bodoni Street. At the intersection of Ștefan Cel Mare and Bănulescu Bodoni Boulevard is The statue of Stephen the Great.

Memorial Park - Not far from the center is the memorial of the victory of the Soviet army in World War II. If you are passionate about Soviet relics, it is a good place to visit to see how those who participated in the defeat of Nazism and who conquered Bessarabia are commemorated. Behind the memorial is a military cemetery and a civilian cemetery.

To do

Opera and Ballet Theater - catches a show of one of the best ballet companies in Eastern Europe. The company has had shows all over the world, from Tokyo to Johannesburg. The schedule of performances can be found on their website [www.nationalopera.md/index.php].

To buy

Mainly local wine and foreign cigarettes. The wine is of excellent quality, but for political reasons it is almost unknown in Europe. In Romania you can find only Cricova Wine or a few other assortments of specialized creams.

Souvenir Bazaar in Chisinau - is the main craft market of the city. You can find handmade objects, paintings and relics from the Soviet period. Most of them speak Russian, but you can also understand Romanian if you tell them that you don't know Russian. Price negotiation is possible. It is located on Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard adjacent to the Mihail Eminescu National Theater at Nr. 152 of the boulevard.

Unique - It is a shopping center in Chisinau. You can buy almost anything. The souvenir sector is small and many are not handmade but produced in Asia. It is located at the intersection of Ștefan Cel Mare and Ismail Blvd.

Stefan cel Mare Boulevard - is the main boulevard of Chisinau. It has lots of shops and restaurants.

Central square - is the main agricultural market in Chisinau, almost as big as Obor Square in Bucharest.

Mall Dova - is the largest mall in the Republic of Moldova and is located in Chisinau. Here you can find products from all over the world.

Bucuria store - is located on Bd. Ștefan cel Mare and you can find the best candies and pralines from Rep. Moldova. "Bucuria" candies and pralines are known all over the world.

Food

Chisinau is a great place to eat. There are a lot of places and restaurants all over Chisinau. The food is very tasty and cheap. For better service and diversity there are several small restaurants or cafes. Good restaurants have prices comparable to those in Bucharest or other European cities. There are also many food and grocery stores as well as supermarkets. For fresh vegetables and fruits you can go to the agri-food markets.

Andy’s Pizza, LaPlacinte, Blinoff, Foisor, Delice d’Ange, Tuccano Coffee and others are just a few of the places to dine. It's tasty here and the prices are affordable.

beverages

Moldova, like Romania, had a long tradition in wines. Russian wines are especially the most consumed. Most Moldovan peasants have their own wines and make their own wines. The own production of the peasants is somewhere at 3-4000 liters per year cumulated. When you get home take a bottle with you, you won't regret it.

Accommodation

Surprisingly, accommodation in Chisinau is very expensive, there are few offers of prices lower than 100 euros.

Hostels

Hostels are still in their infancy in Moldova. There are only 2 that have maintained a good reputation and have remained: Chisinau Hostel and Central Youth Hostel. Prices start at $ 10-20.

Apartments

Many Chisinau residents rent their apartments. The location and quality of accommodation may differ from one offer to another. Many apartments are not modern. It is advisable to use a specialized agency to find the best offer. Prices: $ 20-50

Hotels

In Chisinau you can find a lot of hotels, of different stars and conditions. From 1-2 star guesthouses to top 5 star hotels. Prices depend on conditions: $ 30-300

The health

It is advisable not to resort to the public health system except in situations of extreme urgency. There are a number of small private clinics that provide medical services on acceptable terms. Please note that you must have private health insurance or you will have to pay for medical treatment.

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