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{{Infobox Country|
native_name = Republica Moldova<br />Republic of Moldova |
common_name = Moldova |
national_motto = (none) |
national_anthem = [[Limba noastră]] |
<!--The national anthem of Moldova source: http://moldrpcv.tripod.com/id26.html -->
image_flag = Flag of Moldova.svg |
image_coat = Coat of arms of Moldova.svg |
image_map = LocationMoldova.png |
capital = [[Chisinau]]
|
coordinates = {{Coord|47|0|N|28|55|E|type:city}}
|
largest_city = [[Chisinau]] |
official_languages = [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]] {{ref|language}}|
government_type = [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary Republic]] |
leader_title1 = [[President of Moldova|President]] |
leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Moldova|Prime Minister]] |
leader_name1 = [[Vladimir Voronin]] |
leader_name2 = [[Vasile Tarlev]] |
sovereignty_type = [[Collapse of the Soviet Union|Independence]] |
established_event1 = &nbsp;- Inglobation<br>&nbsp;- Independence |
established_date1 = [[August 27]], [[1991]]<br/>[[August 2]], [[1940]],<br/>[[August 27]], [[1991]] |
area_km2 = 33,843 |
area_rank = 135th |
area_magnitude = 1 E10 |
percent_water = 1.4 |
population_estimate = 2004 |
population_estimate_year = 2004 |
population_estimate_rank = 117th |
population_census = 3,388,071 |
population_census_year = 2004 |
population_density_km2 = 131 |
population_density_rank = 56th |
GDP_PPP_year = 2004 |
GDP_PPP = US$2.59462 [[billion]] |
GDP_PPP_rank = 132nd|
GDP_PPP_per_capita = US$766,28 |
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 141st |
HDI_year = 2003 |
HDI = 0.671 |
HDI_rank = 115th |
HDI_category = <font color="#FFCC00">medium</font> |
currency = [[Leu]] |
currency_code = MDL |
time_zone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] |
utc_offset = +2 |
time_zone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |
utc_offset_DST = +3 |
cctld = [[.md]] |
calling_code = 373 |
<!-- do not edit the official language section, see the discussion page first -->|
footnotes ={{note|language}} <small> (In introduction of the laws concerning the functioning of the languages (september 1989), still applying [http://presedinte.md/const.php?page=8700&lang=rom] the linguistic identity between the Romanian language and the Moldovan langauge is mentionated [http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/Minorities/2._FRAMEWORK_CONVENTION_(MONITORING)/2._Monitoring_mechanism/4._Opinions_of_the_Advisory_Committee/1._Country_specific_opinions/1._First_cycle/PDF_1st_OP_Moldova_Moldovan.pdf]; + [[Gagauz language|Gagauz]] and [[Russian language|Russian]] in the [[Gagauzia|Gagauz Autonomous Region]])</small>
<!-- do not edit the official language section, see the discussion page first -->|
}}
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. Historically the territory was a part of the [[Principality of Moldavia]];  in [[1812]] a part of Moldova was split by Russia, a situation which lasted until 1918 when it became part of [[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]]. Annexed by the [[Soviet Union]], during [[1940]]-[[1941]], [[1945]]-[[1991]] it was known as as the [[Moldavian SSR]]. Moldova declared its independence on [[27 August]] [[1991]].

== History ==
''Main article: [[History of Moldova]]''
	
Moldova's territory was inhabited in ancient times by [[Dacia]]ns. 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 Republic of Moldova (including most of present-day Moldova but also including districts to the north and south, known as Northern [[Bukovina]] and [[Budjak]]) formed the eastern part of the [[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, 1812|Treaty of Bucharest]] in [[1812]], it was annexed by [[Russia]] together with [[Budjak]] (Southern Bessarabia). At first, the Russians used the name "Gubernya of Moldova and Bessarabia", but later called it simply [[Bessarabia]]. The western part of Moldavia remained an autonomous principality and united with Walachia to form [[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]] in [[1859]].

[[Image:Stefan_cel_Mare.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Stefan cel Mare|Stephen the Great<br>Ruler of Moldova 1436&ndash;1504]]]]	

At the end of [[World War I]], Bessarabia proclaimed independence from [[Russia]] in [[1918]], and united with the Kingdom of Romania the same year. 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 [[Slavic peoples|Slavs]]) was joined to the remainder to form the "[[Moldavian SSR|Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic]]", identical in territory to present-day Moldova. Under [[Josef Stalin|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 [[Romanians|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]]&mdash;which is more heavily industrialized and is populated by a larger proportion of ethnic [[Russia]]ns and [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]]s&mdash; claimed independence in [[1991]], fearing Moldovan unification with [[Romania]]. [[Russia]]n and [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] forces intervened on the Transnistrian side, and remain there. The [[OSCE]] is involved in negotiations between the Transnistrian leaders and [[Chisinau]].

A March [[1994]] [[referendum]] saw an overwhelming majority of voters favoring continued independence. In the 2001 elections a pro-Russian Communist party won majority of seats in the Parliament and appointed a Communist president, [[Vladimir Voronin]]. After few years in power relationships between Moldova and [[Russia]] deteriorated over the Transnistrian conflict. In the following election, held in 2005, the Communist party made 180 degree turn and was re-elected on a pro-Western platform, with Voronin re-elected to a second term as a president. During the 2005 parliamentary elections the [[Russian Federation]] tried to influence the election process by intensively favourable coverage of pro-Russian candidates in the Russian mass media and by organizing meetings and agitation campaigns using the Russian CIS-EMO organization (so-called “Elections Monitoring Organization”), which is not recognized internationally as an independent election observer. This organization was proven to have poor records from the previous [[Kyrgyzstan]] election. As a response to the security threat, Moldovan authorities denied entry to the Republic of Moldova for the members of the CIS-EMO organization. Some who nonetheless made their way into the Republic were found distributing leaflets and actively participating in the election campaign, despite not having a valid Moldovan passport or any proof of Moldovan citizenship or any permission from the election authority. These members were consequently deported from the country. This action angered the Russian side. As a consequence, Russian-Moldovan ties greatly weakened, and the nation is split between building ties with the [[Western world|West]] or with [[Russia]].

In 1992, Moldova was involved in a short-term war against Russian armed forces and Ukrainian [[Kazaks|Kazak]] units. Units of [[Kazaks]] (Ukrainian mercenaries) fought, supported by and alongside the Russian 14th Army. The [[War of Transnistria|Transnistrian war]] began with an attack of Russian mercenaries on the Moldovan town of [[Dubosari]], situated on the eastern bank of the River [[Dniestr]], but not loyal to the separatist regime. Since 1992, [[Russia]] has maintained a military occupation of the eastern regions of the Republic of Moldova. The separatist [[Transnistria|Transnistrian]] regime established in the occupied territory is undemocratic, and no rotation in political power has taken place in this area since 1992. The ''de facto'' Transnistrian government has enforced [[Russification]], the denationalization of ethnic Ukrainians, and discrimination against Moldovans. In the summer of 2004, Transnistrian authorities forcibly closed six Moldovan schools from [[Tiraspol]], [[Tighina|Tighina/Bender]], and [[Ribnita]] that used the Romanian language in the Latin alphabet. 3,400 enrolled children were affected by this measure. Several teachers and parents who opposed the closures were arrested.

===Stefan cel Mare===
[[Stefan cel Mare]] ("Stephen the Great"), cousin of [[Vlad III Dracula]], was the most important Prince of [[Principality of Moldavia|Moldavia]]. He was born around 1436, at [[Borzesti]], [[Bacau County]], (now in Romania), and died at [[Suceava]], Romania [[2 July]] 1504. He ruled 47 years, from [[14 April]] 1457 until his death. He is considered a national hero in Republic of [[Moldova]] and [[Romania]], and is thus a symbolic link between them.

===Dimitrie Cantemir===
The Prince [[Dimitrie Cantemir]] is one of the most important figures of Western culture of the 18th century. Cantemir wrote the first geographical, ethnographical and economic description of the country, [[Descriptio Moldaviae]] ([[Berlin]] [[1714]]). He is considered a national hero in Republic of Moldova (on both sides of the Dniestr river) and Romania.

== Politics ==
[[Image:Moldova map.gif|thumb|right|200px|Political Map of Moldova]]
''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 (government)|cabinet]], both subject to parliamentary approval.

====2005 Parliamentary Elections:====
*[[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova]] (PCRM) (45.98% votes, 56 mandates)
*[[Electoral Bloc “Moldova Democrata”]] (BMD)                  (28.53% votes, 34 mandates)
*[[Christian-Democratic People's Party (Moldova)|Christian Democratic Peoples Party (CDPP)]]                 (9.07% votes, 11 mandates)

====2001 Parliamentary Elections:====
*[[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova|Communist Party (CP)]](50.07% votes, 71 mandates)
*Electoral Bloc "Braghis Alliance" (BEAB)                  (13.36% votes, 19 mandates)
*[[Christian-Democratic People's Party (Moldova)|Christian Democratic People's Party (CDPP)              ]]  (8.24% votes, 11 mandates)

== Administrative divisions ==
[[Image:moldadm.png|thumb|right|200px|Administrative division]]
''Main article: [[Administrative divisions of Moldova]]''

Moldova is divided into 32 [[districts]] (''[[raion]]'', pl. ''raioane''), 3 municipalities ([[Chisinau]], [[Balti]] and [[Tighina|Tighina]]), two semi-autonomous regions ([[Gagauzia]] and the breakaway region of [[Transnistria]], whose status is still disputed). The districts are:

<table summary="" width="500">
<tr>
<td valign="top" align="left" width="33%">
*[[Anenii Noi]]<br />
*[[Basarabeasca]]<br />
*[[Briceni]]<br />
*[[Cahul]]<br />
*[[Cantemir]]<br />
*[[Calarasi, Moldova|Calarasi]]<br />
*[[Causeni]]<br />
*[[Cimislia]]<br />
*[[Criuleni]]<br />
*[[Donduseni]]<br />
*[[Drochia]]<br />
</td>
<td valign="top" align="left" width="33%">
*[[Dubasari]]<br />
*[[Edinet]]<br />
*[[Falesti]]<br />
*[[Floresti]]<br />
*[[Glodeni]]<br />
*[[Hincesti]]<br />
*[[Ialoveni]]<br />
*[[Leova]]<br />
*[[Nisporeni]]<br />
*[[Ocnita]]<br />
*[[Orhei]]<br />
</td>
<td valign="top" align="left" width="33%">
*[[Rezina]]<br />
*[[Riscani]]<br />
*[[Singerei]]<br />
*[[Soroca]]<br />
*[[Straseni]]<br />
*[[Soldanesti]]<br />
*[[Stefan Voda]]<br />
*[[Taraclia]]<br />
*[[Telenesti]]<br />
*[[Ungheni]]<br />
</td>
</tr>
</table>

As no other nation recognizes 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]]''

[[Moldova]]'s rich soil and temperate continental climate have made the country one of the most productive agricultural regions and a major supplier of agricultural products in the region.

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 Balanesti]]).

Moldova has a [[temperate climate|temperate]] continental [[climate]], with warm summers, but mild winters.

The country's main cities are the capital [[Chisinau]], in the centre of the country, [[Tiraspol]] (in Transnistria), [[Balti]] and [[Bender]].

''See'' [[List of cities in Moldova]]

== Largest cities ==

{| border=1 align=left cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="border-collapse:collapse;border:1px solid gray;font-size:100%; text-align:right; margin-left:60px"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! # !! align=center |City !! Population !! County
|-
| 1. ||align=left | [[Chisinau|Chisinau / Chisinau]] ||802,082 || [[Chisinau|Chisinau]]
|-       
| 2. ||align=left | [[Tiraspol]] || 266,953 || [[Tiraspol]]
|-
| 3. ||align=left | [[Tighina]] || 130,888 || [[Tighina]]
|-
| 4. ||align=left | [[Soroca]] || 53,983 || [[Soroca]]
|-
| 5. ||align=left | [[Orhei]] || 45,983 || [[Orhei]]
|-
| 6. ||align=left | [[Ungheni]] || 44,983 || [[Ungheni]]
|-
| 7. ||align=left | [[Dubasari]] || 28,983 || [[Dubasari]]
|-
|}
<br clear=left>

== Economy ==
[[Image:Moldawischer-Leu-01.jpg|thumb|right|Moldovan money]]
''Main article: [[Economy of Moldova]]''

Moldova 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 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 liberalization effort, Moldova introduced a [[convertible currency]], freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land [[privatization]], 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 liberalization 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: 1,900 [[USD]] PPP ([[2005]]) or 590 [[USD]] nominal ([[2005]]).

== Demographics ==
[[Image:Major_ethnics_groups_in_Moldova_1989.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ethnic Composition - 1989]]
{{main|Demographics of Moldova}}
====Ethnic composition====
(according to the 2004 census)
* [[Moldovans]]: 76.1%
* [[Ukrainians]]: 8.4%
* [[Russians]]: 5.8%
* [[Gagauz]]: 4.4%
* [[Romanians]]: 2.1%
* [[Bulgarians]]: 1.9%
* Others: 1.3%
=====About 2004 census=====
:According to a May 19 2005 article in "Moldova Azi" news agency (see {{ref|census-experts}}), a group of international census experts described the Moldovan 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.

[[Image:Moldova icon.jpg|thumb|right|Moldavian Orthodox icon]]

====Religions====
(2000)
*[[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox Christian]] 98%
*[[Judiasm|Jewish]] 1.5%
*[[Baptist]] and other 0.5%

==Language==
The official language is [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]]; this is by all accounts a form of [[Daco-Romanian]], and is essentially the same as [[Romanian language|Romanian]]. There is no particular linguistic break at the [[Prut River]], which divides Moldova from Romania. In formal use, the languages are identical except for minor [[orthography|orthographical]] issues (the Moldovans write ''i'' in some contexts where Romanians would use ''a''; this same form used to be normal in Romania). There is, however, some regional variation, as might be found within any linguistic territory, and the common speech of [[Chisinau]] or [[Transnistria]] can be distinguished from the speech of [[Iaşi]], a Romanian city that is also part of the former [[Principality of Moldavia]].

Opinions vary on the status of Moldovan as a language. Most linguists consider [[standard language|standard]] Moldovan to be identical to standard [[Romanian language|Romanian]], an [[Eastern Romance languages|Eastern Romance language]], although one Moldovan linguist disputes this. There are, however, more differences between the colloquial spoken languages of Moldova and [[Romania]], most significantly due to the influence of [[Russian language|Russian]] in Moldova which was not present in Romania. The matter of whether or not Moldovan is a separate language is a contested political issue within and beyond the [[Republic of Moldova]].

A September 1989 law concerning languages, which still applies, [http://presedinte.md/const.php?page=8700&lang=rom] asserts the linguistic identity between the Romanian language and the Moldovan language.[http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/Minorities/2._FRAMEWORK_CONVENTION_(MONITORING)/2._Monitoring_mechanism/4._Opinions_of_the_Advisory_Committee/1._Country_specific_opinions/1._First_cycle/PDF_1st_OP_Moldova_Moldovan.pdf]

A significant minority speaks native [[Russian language|Russian]], and there are more [[Slavic languages|Slavicisms]] in common speech in Moldova than in common speech in Romania. Nonetheless, Moldovans are generally aware when they are using a word of Slavic origin not found in common Romanian, and are capable of choosing whether or not to use these words in a particular context.

Title I, Article 13 of the Moldovan Constitution, names it the "national language" (limba de stat) of the country. In the [[unrecognized state]] of [[Transnistria]], it is co-official with [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] and [[Russian language|Russian]]. The [[1989]] law on language of the [[Moldavian SSR]], which is still effective in Moldova according to the Constitution {{ref|Constitution}}, asserts the real existence of "linguistical Moldo-[[Romanian language|Romanian]] identity".

"Moldovan language" is '''in fact''' '''identical''' with [[Romanian language]], renamed as a "language" for political reasons by the government. Although similar theories have been fielded for other languages, this proposal is now believed to have been made to serve political purposes only, and nobody has provided any evidence so-far towards the idea that Moldovan and Romanian are not from common linguistic stock.

== Information Technologies and Telecommunications ==
In [[2004]], the investments volume on the [[telecommunications]] and information market in the Republic of Moldova increased by 30,1% in comparison with [[2003]], achieving 825, 3 million lei (65,5 million dollars by the exchange rate of the [[National Bank of Moldova|NMB]]). The representatives of the [[National Agency for Telecommunications and Information Regulation]] communicated that 451 million lei (35,9 million dollars) were invested in the field of fixed telephone communication.

The [[investments]] constituted 330 million [[lei]] (26,2 million dollars) in the field of [[mobile telephony]], 24,2 million [[lei]] (1,9 million dollars) in the field of [[Internet service|Internet services]], 19,1 million [[lei]] (1,5 million dollars) in the field of cable television services. The essential increase in the amount of 163 million [[lei]] (12,9 million dollars) has been achieved in the field of [[mobile telephony]].

In comparison with 2003, the investments in this sector doubled practically. An insignificant increase was registered at the other [[market segment|market segments]], but the [[investments]] volume remained the same in the field of [[fixed telephony|fixed telephone]] communication.

The specialists of the National Agency for Telecommunications and Information Regulation mentioned that dynamic of investments done in 2003-2004 years in the development of [[telecommunication]] and [[information]] of the Republic of Moldova shows that in 2005 their volume would exceed the level of the last year. In their opinion, this increase will be determined by the investments of the national operator of the stationary telephone communications of the [[Joint-Stock Company]] “Moldtelecom” for the implementation of the technology [[CDMA]] (Code Division Multiple Access), by the investments of the operators of [[mobile telephony]] “[[Orange Moldova|Orange]]” and “Moldcell” in the development of [[infrastructure]], also by means orientated to the extension and improvement of access services to Internet by new [[broadband|broadband technologies]].

==Relations with [[European Union]]==
[[Image:Flag of Europe.svg|30px]] The [[Partnership and Cooperation Agreement]] with [[EU]] is the legal basis for [[Republic of Moldova#Relations with European Union|EU relations with Moldova]]. With the joint adoption of the [[EU-Moldova Action Plan]] on [[February 22]], [[2005]], the EU and Moldova have further reinforced their bilateral relationship, providing a new tool to help implement the [[Partnership and Cooperation Agreement|PCA]] and bring Moldova closer to the [[EU]]. The [[TACIS]] Programme is the framework for [[technical assistance]] to support agreed objectives.

The [[Partnership and Cooperation Agreement|Partnership & Cooperation Agreement]] came into force in [[July]] [[1998]] for an initial period of ten years. It establishes the institutional framework for [[bilateral relations]], sets the principal common objectives, and calls for activities and dialogue in a number of policy areas. Moldova welcomed [[EU]] enlargement and signed on [[30 April]] [[2004]] the [[Treaty#Protocols|protocol]] extending the [[Partnership and Cooperation Agreement|PCA]] to the new [[EU member states]]. 

During her first bilateral visit to Moldova, [[European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy]], [[Benita Ferrero-Waldner]] opened the new Delegation of the [[European Commission]] to Moldova on [[6 October]], to be headed by [[Cesare De Montis]].

The opening of the Delegation of the [[European Commission]] is a signal of the deepening of relations between the EU and Moldova.

== Culture ==
[[Image:eminescu.jpg|thumb|[[Mihai Eminescu]],<br>[[national poet]]]]
''Main article: [[Culture of Moldova]]''

* [[List of Moldovans]]
* [[Music 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 ==
* [[Foreign relations of Moldova]]
* [[Transportation in Moldova]]
* [[Communications in Moldova]]
* [[Internal security in Moldova]]
* [[Military of Moldova]]
* [[Coat of Arms of Moldova|Coat of Arms of Moldova]]
* [[Crime in Moldova]]
* [[Principality of Moldavia]]
* [[Moldova (Romanian region)|Moldova]], an adjacent region of Romania.
* [[Anti-Romanian discrimination]]   
* [[Russification]]
* [[Coat of Arms of Moldova|Coat of Arms of Moldova]]   
* [[Communications in Moldova]]   
* [[Crime in Moldova]]

==Maps==
* [http://www.allmoldova.com/moldova.php Map of Moldova]
* [http://www.allmoldova.com/map.php?lang=en Map of Chisinau]
* [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwealth/ Maps of Moldova (political, ethnic, etc...)] plus those of other former Soviet Republics

== Gallery ==

<gallery>
image:Chisinau Center.jpg|[[Triumphal Arc]] - [[Center of Chisinau]], [[Chisinau]] 

image:Chi gates.jpg|Gates of Chisinau, [[Chisinau]]

Image:Moldavian orthodox church.jpg|Moldavian [[Orthodox church]]
</gallery>

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Moldova}}
*[http://e-gov.moldova.md/moldova(en).nsf Official governmental site]
*[http://www.parlament.md/en.html Official web site of the Parliament]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/moldova/intro/ The EU's relations with Moldova] on http://ec.europa.eu/
*[http://www.mfa.md/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
*[http://www.elections2005.md/ Election in Moldava]

===Profiles===
*[http://foia.state.gov/MMS/postrpt/pr_view_all.asp?CntryID=100 U.S. Department of State Post Reports - Moldova]
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/md.html CIA - The World Factbook - Moldova]
* [http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc.easteurope.moldovaoverview Peace Corps in Moldova]
* [http://www.ecmimoldova.org ECMI - Information about Minority Issues in Moldova]

===News portals=== {{wikinews|Moldova}}
* [http://www.azi.md/en.html Moldova Azi: News from Moldova] 
* [http://www.basa.md/ BASA-press News Agency]
* [http://www.interlic.md/index.php?lang=eng Interlic News Agency]
* [http://www.moldova.org/index/eng/ Moldova.org]

===Tourism===
* [http://www.turism.md/eng Official site of the Department of Tourism]

===Others===
* [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/10/c28fad55-44c3-4fcc-b3dc-73e93e4d8119.html Moldova: Young Women From Rural Areas Vulnerable To Human Trafficking]

== International rankings ==
* [[Bertelsmann]]: [http://www.bertelsmann-transformation-index.de/37.0.html?&L=1 Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2006], ranked 75th out of 119 countries
* [[Reporters without borders]]: [http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554 Annual worldwide press freedom index (2005)], ranked 74th out of 167 countries
* [[The Wall Street Journal]]: [http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/ 2005] [[Index of Economic Freedom]], ranked 77th out of 155 countries
* [[The Economist]]: [http://www.economist.com/theworldin/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3372495&d=2005 The World in 2005 - Worldwide quality-of-life index, 2005], ranked 99th out of 111 countries
* [[Transparency International]]: [http://ww1.transparency.org/cpi/2005/cpi2005_infocus.html Corruption Perceptions Index 2005], ranked 88th out of 158 countries
* [[United Nations Development Programme]]: [http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/ Human Development Index 2005], ranked 116th out of 177 countries
* [[World Economic Forum]]: [http://www.weforum.org/site/homepublic.nsf/Content/Growth+Competitiveness+Index+rankings+2005+and+2004+comparisons Global Competitiveness Report 2005-2006 - Growth Competitiveness Index Ranking], ranked 82nd out of 117 countries
* [[World Bank]]: [http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/Default.aspx?economyid=129 Doing Business 2006], ranked 83rd out of 155
* [[World Bank]]: [http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/Default.aspx?economyid=129 Ease of Starting a Business 2006], ranked 69th out of 155
* [[United Nations|United Nations Conference on Trade and Development]]: [http://www.unctad.org/sections/dite_dir/docs/wir05_fs_ro_en.pdf Foreign Direct Investment Performance Index 2004], ranked<s> 35th out of 140
</s>

==References==
* [http://www.statistica.md/recensamint/Rezultatele_prel_recens_ro.zip 2004 census results] (ZIP file, in Romanian) <!-- If someone has this in a better format, that would be great -->

===Notes===
{{note|census-experts}} [http://azi.md/news?ID=34282 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.

{{RaioaneMoldova}}
<div style="clear:both;" class="NavFrame">
<div class="NavHead" style="background-color:lightsteelblue;"> [[Countries of the world|Countries]] and territories of [[Europe]]</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="font-size:90%;">
[[Albania]] | [[Andorra]] | [[Armenia]]² | [[Austria]] | [[Azerbaijan]]<sup>1</sup> | [[Belarus]] | [[Belgium]] | [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Herzegovina]] | [[Bulgaria]] | [[Croatia]] | [[Cyprus]]² | [[Czech Republic|Czech&nbsp;Republic]] | [[Denmark]] | [[Estonia]] | [[Finland]] | [[France]] | [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]<sup>1</sup> | [[Germany]] | [[Greece]] | [[Hungary]] | [[Iceland]] | [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] | [[Italy]] | [[Kazakhstan]]<sup>1</sup> | [[Latvia]] | [[Liechtenstein]] | [[Lithuania]] | [[Luxembourg]] | [[Republic of Macedonia|R. Macedonia]] | [[Malta]] | [[Republic of Moldova|Moldova]] | [[Monaco]] | [[Netherlands]] | [[Norway]] | [[Poland]] | [[Portugal]] | [[Romania]] | [[Russia]]<sup>1</sup> | [[San Marino|San&nbsp;Marino]] | [[Serbia and Montenegro|Serbia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Montenegro]] | [[Slovakia]] | [[Slovenia]] | [[Spain]] | [[Sweden]] | [[Switzerland]] | [[Turkey]]<sup>1</sup> | [[Ukraine]] | [[United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] | [[Vatican City|Vatican&nbsp;City]]
<p>
'''[[List of dependent territories|Other territories]]:''' [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|Akrotiri&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dhekelia]]² | [[Faroe Islands|Faroe&nbsp;Islands]] | [[Gibraltar]] | [[Guernsey]] | [[Jan Mayen|Jan&nbsp;Mayen]] | [[Jersey]] | [[Isle of Man|Isle&nbsp;of&nbsp;Man]] | [[Svalbard]]
</p>
<p>
'''[[List of unrecognized countries|Unrecognised countries]]:''' [[Abkhazia]] | [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]² | [[South Ossetia]] | [[Transnistria]] | [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]]²
</p>
<p style="font-size:85%;">Geographical notes: (1) [[Transcontinental nation|Partly]] in Asia; (2) Entirely in [[Asia]] but having sociopolitical connections with Europe.</p></div></div>

[[af:Moldawie]]
[[ar:????????]]
[[an:Moldabia]]
[[ast:Moldavia]]
[[bg:Ìîëäîâà]]
[[zh-min-nan:Moldova]]
[[bs:Moldova]]
[[ca:Moldavia]]
[[cs:Moldavsko]]
[[cy:Moldofa]]
[[da:Moldavien]]
[[de:Moldawien]]
[[et:Moldova Vabariik]]
[[el:????????]]
[[als:Moldawien]]
[[es:Moldavia]]
[[eo:Moldavio]]
[[fa:???????]]
[[fr:Moldavie]]
[[fy:Moldaavje]]
[[ga:An Mholdoiv]]
[[gl:Moldova]]
[[ko:???]]
[[ht:Moldavi]]
[[io:Moldova]]
[[id:Moldavia]]
[[is:Moldova]]
[[it:Moldova]]
[[he:???????]]
[[ka:???????]]
[[la:Moldavia]]
[[lv:Moldova]]
[[lb:Moldawien]]
[[lt:Moldavija]]
[[li:Moldavie]]
[[hu:Moldova]]
[[mt:Moldovja]]
[[mo:Ðåïóáëèêà Ìîëäîâà]]
[[nl:Republiek Moldavie]]
[[nds:Moldawien]]
[[no:Moldova]]
[[nn:Moldova]]
[[oc:Moldavia]]
[[pl:Moldawia]]
[[pt:Moldova]]
[[ro:Republica Moldova]]
[[ru:Ìîëäàâèÿ]]
[[se:Moldavia]]
[[sa:????????]]
[[sq:Moldavia]]
[[sk:Moldavsko]]
[[sl:Moldavija]]
[[sr:Ìîëäàâè¼à]]
[[fi:Moldova]]
[[sv:Moldavien]]
[[th:?????????????]]
[[tl:Moldova]]
[[tr:Moldova]]
[[uk:Ìîëäîâà]]
[[fiu-vro:Moldova Vabariik']]
[[yi:??????????]]