Moldova

Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: none former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia

republicIndependence 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Moldova as the 2001 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalChisinau
Position47 00 N, 29 00 E
Area33,843 sq km land: 33,371 sq km water: 472 sq km
LocationEastern Europe, northeast of Romania
2001

Every edition of Moldova

Populationas each edition published it
4.43 million July 2001 est. · 4.46m in 1992
Population growth% a year
0.05% 2001 est. · 0.4% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 32 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
64.6 years 2001 est. · 67.92 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.67 children per woman 2001 est. · 2.6 in 1992
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
42.74 deaths per 1,000 live births 2001 est. · 35 in 1992
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$2,500 2000 est. · $3,650 in 1994
GDP real growth% a year
-1.5% 2000 est. · -26% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of 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 Nistru (Dnister) River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe and plagued by a moribund economy, in 2001 Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a communist as its president.

Geography

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

18 fields
Coastline
0km
(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Irrigated land
3,110sq km
(1993 est.)

Location

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Map references

Commonwealth of Independent States

Area

total: 33,843 sq km land: 33,371 sq km water: 472 sq km

Land boundaries

total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

Climate

moderate winters, warm summers

Terrain

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Nistru (Dnister) River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Natural resources

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land

Land use

arable land: 53% permanent crops: 14% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 13% other: 7% (1993 est.)

Natural hazards

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Environment - current issues

  • heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater;
  • extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

People

18 fields
Population
4,431,570
(July 2001 est.)growth rate: 0.05% (2001 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2001 est.)

Birth
13.35Death
12.6Net migration
-0.3

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.44% (male 506,303; female 488,311) 15-64 years: 67.62% (male 1,437,492; female 1,559,090) 65 years and over: 9.94% (male 163,473; female 276,901) (2001 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

42.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64.6 years male: 60.15 years female: 69.26 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.67 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

Nationality

noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan

Ethnic groups

Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Religions

Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991)

Languages

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

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 99% female: 94% (1989 est.)

Government

Republic

20 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

50.1%
PCM 50.1%Braghis Alliance 13.4%PPCD 8.2%other parties 28.3%

Parliament or Parlamentul, 101 seatsone dot, one seat

PCM 71Braghis Alliance 19PPCD 11

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: none former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia

Capital

Chisinau

Administrative divisions

  • 10 juletule (singular - juletul), 1 municipality*, and 1 autonomous territorial unit**;
  • Balti, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Dubasari, Edinet, Gagauzia**, Lapusna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni

Independence

27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Constitution

new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
  • President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), three Deputy Prime Ministers: Valerian CRISTEA, Andrei CUCU, and Dmitri TODOROGLO (all since 19 April 2001) cabinet: selected by prime minister, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term;
  • election last held 4 April 2001;
  • presidential elections were scheduled for December 2000, but in July 2000, Parliament canceled direct popular elections;
  • Parliament's failure to chose a new president in December 2000 led to early parliamentary elections (moved up a year to February 2001);
  • according to the Moldovan constitution, the president, on consulting with Parliament, will designate a candidate for the office of prime minister;
  • within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate will request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet;
  • prime minister designated on 15 April 2001, cabinet received vote of confidence on 19 April 2001 election results: Vladimir VORONIN elected president;
  • parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 71, Dumitru BRAGHIS 15, Valerian CHRISTEA 3;
  • Vasile TARLEV elected Prime Minister;
  • parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101

Legislative branch

  • unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs, as well as independent candidates, elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PCM 50.1%, Braghis Alliance 13.4%, PPCD 8.2%, other parties 28.3%;
  • seats by party - PCM 71, Braghis Alliance 19, PPCD 11

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)

Political parties and leaders

  • Braghis Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS];
  • Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA];
  • Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]

International organization participation

ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ceslav CIOBANU chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130

FAX

[1] (202) 667-1204

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
  • Ambassador Rudolf Vilem PERINA embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevicie, #103, Chisinau 2009 mailing address: use embassy street address;
  • pouch address - American Embassy Chisinau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7080 telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72

FAX

[373] (2) 23-30-44

Flag description

  • same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;
  • emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons;
  • on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow

Economy

Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits.

32 fields
Real growth rate
-1.5%
(2000 est.)industrial production growth: 3% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate
1.9%
(includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (November 2000)

Electricity

Electricity production
4.155 billion (1999)Electricity consumption
5.78 billion (1999)Electricity imports
1.916 billion (1999)

Economy - overview

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 oil, 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 reform 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.

Yet these efforts could not offset the impact of political and economic difficulties, both internal and regional. In 1998, the economic troubles of Russia, by far Moldova's leading trade partner, were a major cause of the 8.6% drop in GDP. In 1999, GDP fell again, by 4.4%, the fifth drop in the past seven years;

exports were down, and energy supplies continued to be erratic. GDP declined slightly in 2000, with a serious drought hurting agriculture. Growth should turn positive in 2001.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $11.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 31% industry: 35% services: 34% (1998)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1992)

Labor force

1.7 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 40%, industry 14%, other 46% (1998)

Budget

revenues: $536 million expenditures: $594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Industries

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

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 93.62% hydro: 6.38% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk

Exports

$500 million (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities

foodstuffs 57%, wine, tobacco; textiles and footwear, machinery (1999)

Exports - partners

Russia 41%, Romania 9%, Germany 8%, Ukraine 7%, Italy, Belarus (1999)

Imports

$761 million (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities

mineral products and fuel 38%, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (1999)

Imports - partners

Russia 21%, Romania 16%, Ukraine 14%, Germany 12%, Italy 6%, Belarus (1999)

Debt - external

$900 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient

$100.8 million (1995); note - $547 million from the IMF and World Bank (1992-99)

Currency

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Exchange rates

lei per US dollar - 12.3728 (January 2001), 12.4342 (2000), 10.5158 (1999), 5.3707 (1998), 4.6236 (1997), 4.6045 (1996); note - lei is the plural form of leu

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

10 fields
Mobile cellular
2,200
(1997)
Fixed lines
627,000
(1997) · country code .md

Telephone system

general assessment:
  • inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau, some effort to modernize is under way domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service;
  • mobile cellular telephone service being introduced international: service through Romania and Russia via landline;
  • satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios

3.22 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

1.26 million (1997)

Internet users

15,000 (2000)

Transportation

8 fields

Railways

total: 1,328 km broad gauge: 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)

Highways

total: 20,000 km paved: 13,900 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather) unpaved: 6,100 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)

Waterways

424 km (1994)

Pipelines

natural gas 310 km (1992)

Airports

30 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 14 (2000 est.)

Military

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)

7 fields

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 1,164,018 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 921,210 (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

separatist Transnistria region, comprising the area between the Nistru (Dniester) River and Ukraine, has its own de facto government, dominated by Moldovan Slavs

Illicit drugs

  • limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption;
  • transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US

Central Intelligence Agency. “Moldova.” The World Factbook 2001. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/moldova/2001.

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