Moldova Map

The Republic of Moldova is an Eastern European nation, bordered by Romania and Ukraine. Moldova is entirely landlocked, surrounded on three sides by Ukraine, and Romania along its western border. Moldova has an area of 33,846 square kilometers (13,067 square miles). The capital and largest city of Moldova is Chisinau. Other important cities in Moldova include Tiraspol, Balti, Bender, and Ribnita.

The region has been inhabited for since the stone age, and fell under the rule of Dacian tribes, as well as the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and was invaded by many groups at various points throughout its history, including the Goths, the Huns, and the Mongols. In 1395, the Principality of Moldavia was formed in the region that includes modern Moldova and parts of neighboring Romania and Ukraine. Parts of Moldavia became part of the Russian Empire, eventually joining the Kingdom of Romania, though this went unrecognized. The Soviet Union invaded in 1941, and the state became the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR). Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991.

Moldova has a population of about 3.6 million. Over 70 percent of the population of Moldova are Moldavian by ethnicity, with an additional 2 percent of the population identifying as Romanian, a closely related ethnic group. There are significant minority ethnic groups of Ukrainians, Russians, Gagauz, and Bulgarians. The official language of Moldova is Moldovan, with Russian, Ukrainian, and Gagauz as recognized regional languages. Over 90 percent of the population of Moldova identifies as Orthodox Christian, with a small minority of Protestants and other religions.

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Last Updated On : March 13, 2013