2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

autonomous territorial unit

Gagauzia

municipalities

Balti, Bender, Chisinau

raions

Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

territorial unit

Stinga Nistrului

Age structure

0-14 years: 20% (male 455,673/female 438,934) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 1,498,078/female 1,613,489) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 170,456/female 290,076) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

12 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

total

6

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

6 914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m

3 (2006)

Area

land

33,371 sq km

total

33,843 sq km

water

472 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Maryland

Background

Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was 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 majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Geography Moldova

Birth rate

15.7 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$1.335 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$1.318 billion

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 28 50 E

name

Chisinau (Kishinev)

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

moderate winters, warm summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Moldova

conventional short form

Moldova

former

Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Republica Moldova

local short form

Moldova

Currency (code)

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Currency code

MDL

Current account balance

$-561 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

12.64 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$2.142 billion (30 June 2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael D. KIRBY

embassy

103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[373] (22) 40-8300

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Nicolae CHIRTOACA

telephone

[1] (202) 667-1130

Disputes - international

Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region which remains under OSCE supervision

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.2 (2001)

Economic aid - recipient

$100 million (2000)

Economy - overview

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It 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 almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas to Moldova in disputes over pricing. The economy achieved six percent or more GDP growth every year from 2000-2005, though this was based largely on consumption fueled by remittances received from Moldovans working abroad. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006 and greatly exacerbated Moldova's economic troubles. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls; nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region continues to be a drag on the Moldovan economy.

Electricity - consumption

6.731 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

130 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

3.6 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

3.506 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

90.6%

hydro

9.4%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Dealul Balanesti 430 m

lowest point

Dniester River 2 m

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, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

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

Exchange rates

lei per US dollar - 13.1571 (2006), 12.6 (2005), 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003), 13.571 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament

chief of state

President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)

election results

Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101

elections

president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held in 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001

head of government

Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida GRECIANII (since 10 October 2005)

Exports

$1.02 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - partners

Russia 32.9%, Italy 12.7%, Romania 10.6%, Ukraine 9.5%, Belarus 6.7%, Germany 4.5% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 667-1204

[373] (22) 23-3044

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Moldova

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

21.5%

industry

22%

services

56.5% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.6% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.588 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$8.971 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone People Moldova

Government type

republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 300 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

5,500 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

30.7% (1997)

lowest 10%

2.2%

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; widespread crime and underground economic activity This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$2.65 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (2000)

Imports - partners

Ukraine 20.9%, Russia 11.7%, Romania 11.2%, Germany 8.3%, Italy 6.6%, Turkey 4.1% (2005)

Independence

27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

17% (2003 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

35.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

41.44 deaths/1,000 live births

total

38.38 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

12.8% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.md

Internet hosts

58,886 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (1999)

Internet users

406,000 (2005) Transportation Moldova

Investment (gross fixed)

24.8% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

3,000 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

1.339 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

40%

industry

14%

services

46% (1998)

Land boundaries

border countries

Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

total

1,389 km

Land use

arable land

54.52%

other

36.67% (2005)

permanent crops

8.81%

Languages

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

Legal system

based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic Moldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party - PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11

elections

last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held in 2009)

Life expectancy at birth

female

69.88 years (2006 est.)

male

61.61 years

total population

65.65 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.7% (2003 est.) Government Moldova

male

99.6%

total population

99.1%

Location

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

1,117,070 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,066,459

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

911,568 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

693,913

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

42,354 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

43,729

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

34.3 years (2006 est.)

male

30.3 years

total

32.3 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 7

foreign-owned

3 (Ukraine 3) (2006) Military Moldova

total

7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 13,831 GRT/15,003 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$8.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Moldova

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; national service obligation - 12 months (2004)

National Army

Ground Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2006)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Nationality

adjective

Moldovan

noun

Moldovan(s)

Natural gas - consumption

2.17 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.17 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Natural resources

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Net migration rate

-0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Pipelines

gas 606 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Democratic Party or PD [Dumitru DIACOV]; National Liberal Party or NLP [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Party for Social Democracy or PSD [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Oleg SEREBRIAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

4,466,706 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

80% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

0.28% (2006 est.)

Public debt

84.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 29 (2004)

Radios

3.22 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

1,124 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge

14 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)

total

1,138 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$680 million (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

10,976 km

total

12,733 km

unpaved

1,757 km (2004)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; two private operators of GSM mobile cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; license for one CDMA mobile telephone network currently being tendered.

general assessment

inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way

international

country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

Telephones - main lines in use

929,400 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.09 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

40 (2004)

Televisions

1.26 million (1997)

Terrain

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Total fertility rate

1.85 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

8%; note - roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad (2002 est.)

Waterways

424 km (on Dniester River) (2005)