Moldova, Moldávia

Anteriormente governado pela Romênia, Moldova tornou-se parte da União Soviética no final da Segunda Guerra Mundial. Embora independente da URSS desde 1991, as forças russas permaneceram em território moldovo a leste do rio Dniester para apoio da maioria da população eslava, principalmente ucranianos e russos. É a nação mais pobre da Europa.

População

Population: 4.4 million (July 2004).

Population growth rate: 0.18 % (2004).

Life expectancy at birth: 65 years.

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%.

Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989).

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

Nationality: Moldovan(s).

Geografia

Country name: Republic of Moldova (local: Republica Moldova).

Capital: Chisinau.

Government type: Republic.

Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union). New constitution adopted on 28 July 1994; replaced the old Soviet constitution of 1979.

Administrative divisions: 9 counties (judetele, singular - judetul), 1 municipality (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitate teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitate teritoriala). Counties: Balti, Cahul, Chisinau, Edinet, Lapusna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni. Municipality: Chisinau. Autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia. Territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului.

Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea.

Total area: 33,843 km².

Highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m.

Climate: moderate winters, warm summers.

Economia

Moldova remains the poorest country 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 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 prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth, of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, and 6.3% in 2003. Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors.

GDP (purchasing power parity): US$ 7.8 billion (2003).

GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): US$ 1,800 (2003).

GDP growth rate: 6.3 % (2003).

Unemployment rate: 8 % (2002).

Currency: Moldovan leu (MDL).

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