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Moldova is a small landlocked country located in the extreme southwest region of the former Soviet Union. It is bordered by Ukraine to the north, east, and south, and by Romania to the west. Moldova is the second smallest state of the former Soviet Union covering an area of 33,700 square kilometers, and is the most densely populated, with more than 129 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Moldova has declared its independence in August 1991. Since 1992, Moldova is a member of the United Nations and International Monetary Fund.

The majority of the population is Romanian speaking, although ethnic Ukranians, Russians, Gagauzi Turks, Bulgarians, and others account for slightly over one third of the population. Moldova is a country of orthodox religion, however, there are also Catholic and Muslim Churches, as well Judaism.

Moldova?ƒ?????€š?¬???€ž??s economy is concentrated in the production and processing of agricultural goods. It has a comparative advantage in agriculture. Approximately 75 percent of its territory is covered by the rich black chernozem soil, and the country has a temperate climate.

Travelers to Moldova have for centuries been impressed by the beautiful landscapes, which stretch over enormous territories between the Nistru and Prut rivers. The varied relief of the country allows one to enjoy the river canyons and imposing forest-covered hills. They say that Moldova resembles the legendary Mesopotamia with its garden towns and its agricultural lands

The people of Moldova are famous for their endless hospitality. Go inside and you will find yourself in a world of kindness and decorum, of songs and rich collections of handicrafts made by many generations which will enchant both your heart and eyes.


LANGUAGES

According to the constitution of the Republic of Moldova, the state language in Moldova is Moldavian, functioning on the Latin alphabet basis. As a state language, it is used in all political, economic, social and cultural domains, and is the inter-ethnic language of communication in Moldova. The state language acts as the working language in the activity of all state bodies, state administration and public authorities. The translation into Russian is assured.

Russian along with Moldavian is used as a communication language among different nations.
In order to meet the national-cultural needs of ethnic groups inhabiting the territory of Moldova, the functioning of other languages, such as Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian, Jewish, Gypsy, etc. is guaranteed.

The most frequent spoken foreign languages are English, French, German and Italian.


RELIGION

The Republic of Moldova mainly comprises representatives of two worldwide religions: Christianity and Judaism. The first represented by about 1800 communities, the latter by 7 communities. The majority adheres to the Russian Orthodox Church, which incorporates almost 95% of orthodox Christians out of the entire population of the country. They dispose of 1034 churches, 36 monasteries and 7 hermitages with approximately 5000 priests, deacons, curates, etc.

The head of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (Moldova?ƒ?????€š?¬???€ž??s Metropolitan) is His Grace Vladimir, the Metropolitan of Chisinau and all Moldova. The church is subdivided into 4 dioceses: Chisinau, Edinet and Briceni, Cahul and Lapusna, Dubasari and Tiraspol. An office of locum tenens operates in the city of Balti.

The religious personnel is mainly trained within the Chisinau Theological Academy, Theological Seminary (?ƒ?????€š?¬?…?€œNoul Neamt Monastery?ƒ?????€š?¬?, in Chitcani), the Spiritual Lyceum for girls (Suruceni Monastery), the Spiritual Lyceum for boys (?ƒ?????€š?¬?…?€œNasterea Domnului?ƒ?????€š?¬? Monastery, in Zabriceni).

The Constitution of the Republic of Moldova guarantees the religious freedom of its citizens (art. 31). Each citizen has the right to share any religion, individually or in group, to spread this faith, to exercise their cult either in a private or public, as long as it does not contradict the Constitution and the law in force.

CURRENCY

The national currency, the Moldovan Leu, was introduced on the 29th of November 1993.

The National Bank of Moldova was established in 1991.

The current banknote series was introduced by NBM between 1993 and 1995.

Banknotes: ONE LEU; FIVE LEI; TEN LEI; TWENTY LEI; FIFTY LEI; ONE HUDRED LEI; TWO HUNDRED LEI, FIVE HUNDRED LEI.

Coins: 1 bani; 5 bani; 10 bani; 25 bani; 50 bani. (1 Leu = 100 bani)


FOOD and DRINK

Moldova is rich in fertile soil and in hardworking and caring people. Nature is very generous in Moldova, offering plentiful grapes, fruits, vegetables, meat and milk products and cereals, all of which have found their uses in our national food. The fertile soil and the traditional agricultural methods make possible the cultivation of a diverse range of ecologically pure raw materials.

Moldovan cuisine has had a great influence on the traditional food of the other nationalities that live on this territory. At the same time some elements have been incorporated from Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian and Russian cuisine, as well as elements taken some centuries ago from Greek and Turkish food.

The ingredients used in the traditional meals are: a variety of vegetables like tomatoes, green peppers, aubergines, white cabbage, beans, onions, garlic, etc. The vegetables are used for salads and sauces; they are baked, pickled, salted, and canned thus becoming a real food art. The maize and maize flour give a specific color to the traditional meals, like soups, biscuits, flakes, alcohol free drinks, etc. The most common is ?ƒ?????€š?¬?…?€œmamaliga?ƒ?????€š?¬? ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ a maize porridge or polenta with a fine and delicious taste. "Mamaliga" is served together with diced meat, cheese, fried meat, cream, etc.

Meat cooked for the first and the second course has a special place in the Moldovan food. The most common are chicken soup, goulash, roast meat, grilled minced meat rolls, etc. A lot of meat courses are grilled over charcoal. But before the grilling procedure the meat is properly picked.
There is not a holiday without cabbage rolls, meat jelly, noodles, etc. The traditional table is not complete without biscuits, pies, cake dipped in syrup and fruit.

In different parts of Moldova there are local cuisines. In the East the Ukrainians prefer borsch, in the south the Bulgarians can offer a delicious chicken sauce ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ mangea, and the Gagauzians may serve you sorpa ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ a spicy ram soup, and the Russians will offer you their traditional pelmeni ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ a kind of roll stuffed with meat.

The Moldovan cuisine is served with a variety of traditional drinks: stewed fruits, juices, as well as alcoholic drinks like: wine, brandy, "tuica" ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ plum brandy, etc.

Wine growing in Moldova is a century-old tradition. The famous Moldovan wines are well known and appreciated at home and far beyond the country borders. The wines can be dry, sweet and strong, they have a varied bouquet of flavours and colours. For wine producing European vines are used such as: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Muscat, etc., as well as Moldovan varieties: Feteasca, Black Rara, Moldova, etc.

Strong drinks such as plum brandy, are produced using traditional methods.

Wine tastings are offered in most Moldovan cellars..


TRADITIONS

Moldova is a European Country, which has a rich ethnic history. The majority of the population are Moldovans (Romanians), but the following national minorities live on this territory too: Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Gagauzians, Russians, Germans, Greeks, and others. In Moldova many traditions are centuries old. It is hard to believe that the multi-ethnic character of the country still exists within the popular traditions. What's more it has enriched them with new qualities, giving them a new colour and transforming them into an original bunch of customs, rituals, and folklore present in Moldovan villages. In spite of the differences of nationalities, the people here have the most important quality ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ Hospitality. In Moldova every guest is received with a special warmth.

The householder will always serve his guest with great Moldovan wine and with the best dishes of food. Usually, the guests are invited into the "Casa Mare" (Big Room) ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ a traditional room in each house where people feast together. There are a lot of holidays in Moldova and everyone can join in them.

The Winter Holidays, for instance, feature greetings cards, best wishes, plays performed by both children and adults from one door to another, thus announcing with joy the coming of the New Year. Everybody is looking forward to Santa Claus to come on a sleigh filled with presents. Especially children prepare themselves for this event: they put on different costumes and masks and perform in front of the Christmas tree. In fact, at that period the holidays, following the traditional agricultural calendar coincide with the Christian festival of Christmas.

Another very important traditional holiday is "Martisor" ?ƒ?????€š?¬???†œ the symbol of spring. In March everybody in Moldova hangs on their collar two knitted white and red ropes, which symbolize nature?ƒ?????€š?¬???€ž??s revival.
In Spring the most important holiday for our people is the Easter religions holiday. For this celebration people prepare in good time, they cook special food: Easter Cake and painted eggs and the best wine. In the course of time the painted eggs have become a handicraft art.

A lot of traditional events in our country represent an amalgam of elements characteristic to the agricultural, religious and civil calendars, a mixture that was transformed in a permanent source of goodwill, warmth and hospitality in Moldova. During the holidays guests in Moldova can participate in a range of cultural events: concerts "Martisor", "Ciresar", "Maria Biesu Welcomes", etc., performances, parades, mass manifestations on Independence Day, on "Limba Noastra" Day, on towns or villages?ƒ?????€š?¬???€ž?? Day, etc. On Harvest Days traditional fairs are organized in towns and villages. Especially during these holidays, tourists can get closer to the national folk and handcraft art.

We cannot speak about Moldova without mentioning the traditions of a family nature: weddings, celebrations, etc., which become real shows performed by guests and hosts.

In Moldovan villages "sezatorile" are very traditional social meetings, especially in the winter, where people sing, dance, and make handicrafts.

It?ƒ?????€š?¬???€ž??s truly said that each guest in the "Casa Mare" of Moldova is a real friend.

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS

January 1 - New Year;
January 7 and 8 - Christmas;
March 8 - International Women?ƒ?????€š?¬???€ž??s Day;
Easter (Sunday and Monday) according to orthodox church calendar;
Memorial Day - Sunday after Easter;
May 1 - International Labour Day;
May 9 - Victory Day (WW II);
August 27 - Independence Day;
August 31 - Limba Noastra (Our Language Day).
October 13 and 14 - National Day of Wine and Wine Festival