Moldova

Capital of Moldova: Chisinau
Population of Moldova: 4,314,377
Total area of Moldova: 33,851 km2

Moldova is a tiny county located in South and Eastern Europe. It is a landlocked country with a flag that is of vertical stripes consisting of a blue third, a yellow third and a red third. The yellow middle of the flag has an emblem consisting of an eagle carrying a sprig of leaves and a scepter. A bull is in the middle of the eagle.

Moldova population

There are 2.5 million Moldovans living in Moldova, which accounts for 76 percent of the population. Minorities include Ukrainians, Russians, Gagauz and Romanians. People can’t agree on whether the Moldavians are a unique ethnic group or whether they belong to the Romanian ethnic group. The state language of Moldova is Moldovan, based on the Latin alphabet. Prior to that, the state language was Romanian. Some experts say that Moldovan and Romanian are essentially the same language with different pronunciations. Russian is also spoken in Moldova. French and English are commonly taught in schools. The major religion is Orthodox Christianity, which makes up 93 percent of the population. There is a Moldovan Orthodox Church that many belong to.  

History of Moldova

Moldova was inhabited since the Stone Age and extended up to Romania. They were an agricultural and hunting people, making pottery for a living. It was inhabited by the Dacian tribe in ancient times and was under Roman and Byzantine rule until the 7th century. It was invaded many times by tribes and peoples who liked its trade route location. It was established as a principality in 1359. It was repeatedly invaded by the Tartars of the Crimean region. The Turkish also invaded them. It was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1812. It formed its own government in 1917. In 1919, it became part of the USSR. It was seized by the Axis in WWII but was reestablished as the Moldavian SSR in 1944. Members of the country were persecuted by the USSR after WWII. Moldova was part of the USSR until it gained its independence in 1991.

Moldova Tourism

Though the wine and the people are the most compelling reasons to visit Moldova, visitors will also appreciate the mysterious Orheiul Vechi Monastery Complex which was carved into a massive limestone. The Cave Monastery was dug by 13^th century Orthodox monks and inhabited until the 18th century. It is now being slowly restored by some monks since 1996. Obviously the main attraction, the country’s world renowned wine industry also reflects its culture. Wine tours through vineyards and wine cellars will reveal that Moldovians’ approach to viticulture and winemaking is excellent considering the superb wine varieties they produce. Along the way, visitors get the chance to see pastoral lands as well as fields with gorgeous sunflowers and huge watermelons. Other attractions include thermal spas and mud treatments in Cahul, beaches and boats at the man-made Chisinau Lake, indigenous flora and fauna in forests like the Stanca-Jeloboc forest, and some historical monuments and museums.

Moldovans are known for their hospitality which is obvious judging by the way they receive guests and prepare delicious food. They speak multiple languages including Romanian and Russian. Village life is just as simple and spiritual as it was centuries ago; Moldovans’ identity and culture remains intact because of the absence of mass tourism. Food in  Moldova is multiethnic; it may have a touch of Moldovan, Ukrainian, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, or Russian cuisine. Moldovans love their wine so much that they have a glass of it every meal, except breakfast. Village families grow their own grapes and produce wine at home. During the winemaking season, visitors are usually called to have a taste and comment on the wine.