Moldova

Area: 33,800 sq km (13,050 sq miles).

Population: 3,606,800 (official estimate 2004).

Population Density: 106.7 per sq km.

Capital: Chisinau (Kishinev). Population: 662,200 (official estimate 2004).

GEOGRAPHY: Moldova is a small landlocked state in southeastern Europe – one of the most highly populated republics of the former USSR. To the north, east and south Moldova, is bound by Ukraine; to the west by Romania. The River Prut constitutes the border with Romania. The country has rich pastures and wooded slopes, ideal for wine-growing.

Government: Republic since 1991. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State: President Vladimir Voronin since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev since 2001.

Language: The Constitution of 1994 described the official language as ‘Moldovan’ although it is considered to be virtually identical to Romanian. In 1940, after Soviet annexation, the Cyrillic script was introduced and was referred to as Moldavian up until 1989 when the Latin alphabet was reintroduced. Russian is still the most widely spoken language. The ethnic and linguistic make-up of Moldova is as follows: Moldovans 64.5 per cent, Ukrainians 13.8 per cent, Russians 13.0 per cent, Gagauz 3.5 per cent, Bulgarians 1.5 per cent, others 3.7 per cent.

Religion: Mostly Eastern Orthodox Christian and other Christian denominations. A small amount of the population are Jewish.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Dress should be casual but conservative. For official engagements, men should wear a jacket and tie. The country is famous for its tradition of folk arts and there are many lively musical groups (Tarafs), which play a variety of rare folk instruments including the tsambal (not unlike a dulcimer), cimpoi (bagpipe), fluier and nai.