Moldova
Moldova [1] is a small land-locked country in Eastern Europe, surrounded by Romania to the southwest, across the Prut river, and Ukraine to the northeast.
The capital of Moldova is Chişinău. The local language is Romanian, based on the Latin alphabet, but Russian is widely used. Moldova is a multiethnic republic that has suffered from violent ethnic conflict. In 1994, this conflict led to the creation of the self-proclaimed Transnistria Republic in eastern Moldova, which has its own government and currency but is not recognized by any other country. Economic links have been re-established between these two parts of Moldova despite failure in political negotiations. The major religion in Moldova is Orthodox Christian.
Moldova's population is occupied mainly in food production and processing. Once known as "the garden" of the Soviet Union, Moldova has now lost most of its traditional Russian markets for agricultural products and is exploring new international markets.
Regions
It is divided into 32 Rayons: 1. Anenii Noi 2. Basarabeasca 3. Briceni 4. Cahul 5. Cantemir 6. Călăraşi 7. Căuşeni 8. Cimişlia 9. Criuleni 10. Donduşeni 11. Drochia 12. Dubăsari 13. Edineţ 14. Faleşti 15. Floreşti 16. Glodeni 17. Hînceşti 18. Ialoveni 19. Leova 20. Nisporeni 21. Ocniţa 22. Orhei 23. Rezina 24. Rîşcani 25. Sîngerei 26. Soroca 27. Străşeni 28. Şoldăneşti 29. Ştefan Voda 30. Taraclia 31. Teleneşti 32. Ungheni
An autonomous territorial unit (unitate teritoriala autonoma):
- Gagausia (Gagauzia - Gagauz Yeri)
And a territorial unit (unitate teritoriala):
- Transnistria (Stinga Nistrului) - Break-away region east of the Dniester River, on the Ukrainian border, where Russian forces are supporting the Slavic minority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a unrecognized "Transnistria" republic.
Cities
- Chişinău - Capital - An administrative municipality (municipiul). A nice city to go and visit for some days, and to walk around in.
Other destinations
The second biggest city in Moldova, Balti, merits a visit as well. Nice pedestrian zone around the central square. Check out the old part of the city.
Culture and History
Climate
Moderate winters, warm summers.
Terrain
Landlocked. Rolling steppe, gradual slope south towards the Black Sea. Well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone. Natural hazards : Experiences landslides (57 cases in 1998) due to extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
History
Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was forcefully incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II.
Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic minority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic.
The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first european (former Soviet) state to elect a communist government and president in 2001.
Travel to Moldova, visa requirements
Citizens of US, EU, CIS countries, Canada, Switzerland, Japan do not need a visa to enter Moldova and can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a six month period without registration. Citizens of other countries must either obtain visa in the nearest Moldovan embassy or alternatively could obtain visa on arrival in Chisinau airport and on some land border crossings provided that officially endorsed invitation letter from Moldova is obtained beforehand.
If, for some odd reason, you are coming into Moldova via Ukraine, be careful about crossing Transnistria. Busses from Odessa go through Tiraspol, and you will absolutely, positively have problems at the Ukraine-Transnistria border. Chances are, you will be pulled off the bus and "asked" to pay an astonishing sum (in Euros) for a "transit visa" through Transnistria. Best advice: play dumb, smile, repeat "student" and hand them 10 euro. And hope that works. For Moldovans, a Transnistria transit visa is under a dollar. There is no Moldovan border check between Transnistria and Moldova, so you might have some explaining to do when you try and leave Moldova without an entrance stamp. Unless you speak perfect Russian, don't mind being in a diplomatic black hole, and have a penchant for Soviet nostalgia, I would avoid this crossing.
Flights to Moldova, airtickets
Busiest air connections exist to Bucharest, Budapest, Istanbul, Moscow, Timisoara and Vienna. Prices are relatively high. The cheapest tickets can be bought to Bucharest, Istanbul, Kiev and Moscow. Moldova has three air companies.
By train
The cheapest way to get into the country is to take the overnight train from Bucharest. It is about US$28, and takes overnight. Since flights into Bucharest cost approx. US$200 less than those into Moldova, this is the best option if you have the time. At the border crossing the cars are lifted individually onto smaller gauge wheels to fit Moldovan tracks.
By car
When coming by car one should be sure to use a frontier with a (non-stop) visa issuing office.
Buses to Moldova
There are regular buses connecting Chişinău with Bucharest, Kiev and most major Romanian and Ukrainian cities. There are 5 to six buses per day to and from Bucharest. Due to a longer stay at the border the trip takes around 10 hours. You will also be able to travel to most European cities by bus with Moldovan bus companies. When coming by bus one should be sure to use a frontier with a (non-stop) visa issuing office.
By boat
Get around
The most reliable and extensive domestic transport is bus - you will get to most parts of the country.
Talk
Moldovans speak Romanian (sometimes refered to as Moldovan), outside of the semi-autonomous region of Gagausia (where Gagauz, a variant of Turkish is spoken) and the breakaway Russian-speaking region of Transnistria. Many people in the bigger cities also speak Russian, and in Chisinau it is even used when first talking to someone that you do not know. There are many people in Chisinau who speak English, but certainly don't count on it! Several publications and Web sites are Russian-only.
Shopping, Moldova souvenirs
Local wine and foreign cigarettes
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Moldova nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Moldova has a long local wines tradition. Especially the reds are popular throughout the country. Most Moldovan villagers grow their own grapes and press their own wine, and many agree the standard rural household will press 3-4,000 litres a year! When returning home, take a bottle with you!
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Best hotel in town is the Leogrand (formerly Dedeman Grand) in the city center, next to Sun City. Budget options include renting a private apartment (talk to the travel agency called Adresa, within a short walk from the main train station).
Learn
Work
Stay safe
The break-away region Transnistria has proclaimed itself a republic but lacks diplomatic recognition. Consequently, travellers lack consular support in case of emergency. Stay away until further notice. Corrupt policemen will make you trouble if you show up at the border without 'visa' for this mafia-run place. When travelling from Odessa to Chişinău, avoid Transnistria.
If you do visit Transnistria, as a foreign citizen you should register with the Militia upon arrival. It can become difficult trying to leave if you have not done this. Give your name to the representative of your country in Chisenau and tell them what date you travel to and from Transnistria.
If you persist and do travel to Transnistria you will travel right into the age and time of the old Soviet Union. However it is wise to get a RELIABLE guide to show you around. Once you are 'in' you'll find the population most friendly and helpful. Especially in remote areas where no stranger has been since ages, they will open up a museum for you even if it is their day off. And you can expect a lengthly meal to be offered to you just in your honor. Don't drink too much alcohol at such occasions. They will offer you more than you can handle.
Stay healthy
The heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater. If you are concerned, water for drinking, cooking and oral hygiene should be taken from a known safe source, as ordinary water treatment, including boiling, does not remove such chemical contamination.
Respect
Contact
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