Country Guide • Moldova
Moldova is a former republic of the USSR and is located on the south western part of the East European Plain. It is bound by Ukraine to the north, east and south, and Romania to the west. The River Prut constitutes the border with Romania. Moldova is one of the most highly populated republics of the former USSR. The country has rich pastures and wooded slopes, ideal for wine-growing.
| Official Name | Republic of Moldova |
|---|---|
| Area | 33,700km² (13,000mile²) |
| Population | 4,439,000 |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population per mile² | 340 |
| Capital City | Chisinau |
| Religions | Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5% |
| Language | Moldovan (official language, virtually the same as Romanian), Russian and Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) |
| Government | Republic |
| Member of EU | No |
| Currency | Leu |
| GDP | $11 billion |
| GDP per Head | $2,500 |
| Natural Resources | Arable land, lignite, phosphorites, gypsum and limestone |
| Land Use | Arable Land 54% |
| Agriculture | Various vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco, beef and milk |
| Industry | Agriculture, Cement, Ceramics, Clothing Manufacture, Electrical Equipment, Food Processing, Instruments, Machine Assembly, Milling, Textiles and Wine Production |
| Tourism | Moldova is a picturesque country - all rolling green hills, whitewashed villages, placid lakes and sunflower fields - with an old-world charm that's hard to manufacture. It also has some of the best vineyards in Europe |
| Natural Hazards | Occasional Droughts |
| Health Risks | A certificate confirming HIV-negative status must be obtained if staying for longer than three months |
| Climate | Moldova has a continental climate with moist summers and cool dry winters. Rainfall is heaviest between May and June while annual average rainfall varies from 24 inches in the northern regions to 16 inches in the south where droughts are also common. Average temperature ranges in Chisinau are from -5°C in January to 24°C in July |
| Time | GMT/UTC+2 hours ( + 3 hours from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October) |
| National Days | May 9 Victory and Commemoration Day, August 27 Independence Day |
| Visas | All travellers need a visa for Moldova. Everyone except US, Canadian, Israeli and EU-member citizens require an invitation or proof of prebooked accommodation from a company or organisation. There is no Moldovan Embassy in the UK but you can obtain a visa at the Moldovan Embassy in Brussels or at other Moldovan Embassies. A single entry visa costs 40 US Dollars valid for up to 30 days stay in Moldova. You can obtain a single entry visa at Chisinau airport and at major road crossings with Romania for 60 US Dollars. Visitors arriving by train need to obtain a visa before travelling. You should check your visa after it has been issued and before travelling to ensure that it is valid for the time of the proposed visit, as there have been occasional errors resulting in fines and delays to travel plans |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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