Romania and Moldova Travel Guide

Capital: Chisinau

Population: 4.3 million

Area: 33,843 sq km

Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Border countries: Romania, Ukraine

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Climate: moderate winters, warm summers

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dniester River 2 m, highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Life expectancy: total population: 70.8 years, male: 67.1 years, female: 74.71 years (2009 est.)

Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)

Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

GDP per capita: $2,500 (2008 est.)

Unemployment: 1.5%; note – roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line: 29.5% (2005 est.)

Industries: sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles