Chisinau is the capital and the
administrative, political, economic, scientific, cultural and
tourist center of the Republic of Moldova.
Its name derives from a word
meaning "spring". Chisinau is divided into 5 sectors: Centre,
Buiucani, Botanica, Riscani and Ciocana. The Republic of Moldova is
divided into 33 administrative districts.
LOCATION
Moldova is a small state located in central Europe between such
states as Ukraine and Romania. The location of Moldova was very
favorable from the ancient times, since it is located on the
crossroads between major routes from East to West, from Europe to
Asia. Situated between Central, Southeast and Eastern Europe and
between the Danube on the South, Prut and Nistru rivers, the
Republic of Moldova covers the territory of 33700 sq. km.
MOLDOVA TRAVEL VIDEO
(RUSSIAN)
MOLDAVIAN FOLK-ETHNO MUSIC
ZDOB SI ZDUB BAND
Nistru river in the summer
Old Orhei -
"Moldavian Canyons"
Its central region is the Basarabian Plateau with afforested and
mountainous highlands up to 460 meters in elevation. This area
retains its ancient name "Codru" meaning "Old forest". These
beautiful forests continue to hold great environmental importance.
Nistru river
in the South
MOLDOVA FORTRESSES
Moldova has a rich historical and cultural heritage. There is a
variety of churches and monasteries with unique architecture,
open-air museums, fortresses and historical monuments. The most
known fortresses are of Medieval Age - Soroca Fortress, Tighina
Fortress.
Soroca fortress
has a special place in the historical and cultural heritage of the
Moldavian people. It is the only monument of medieval architecture
in the region between Nistru and Prut rivers, preserved in its
original state.
The first
trustworthy information about the fortress narrates, that it was
erected during the second reign of the sovereign Petru Rares, that
was in the 40's of the XVI-th century. The fortress is unique not
only in its fortification advantage, but in its architectural
features. There are no analogous fortresses in the Eastern Europe.
Between 1543-1546 the fortress was rebuilt in stone, having 37,5 m
in diameter, including 5 bastions, situated at equal distances.
Soroca fortress is a giant tower having 25 m in height.
If you have
already visited the town of Soroca, you'd never be able to get rid
of a fixed association, that Soroca is a fortress. Although Soroca
is well known for its numerous historical, ethnographical, landscape
and other sights of interest to guests.
Tighina fortress is situated
near Tighina city, on the right bank of Nistru river. This fortress
is considered to be built by famous Ottoman architect Sinan-aga,
after the Turkish campaign in 1538. It has a remarkable history,
being for many times the place of refuge for some European kings
after their major defeats. So, in the period 1709-1711, Swedish king
Charles XII had his refuge in this fortress after the Poltava
battle.
Soroca ancient fortress
TIME
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before
last Sunday in October).
CLIMATE
Moderate continental. Warm summers (+23 C to +33 C) and moderate
winter (-5 C to +5 С).
Climate conditions are determined by the movement of atmospheric air
from west to east. Moldova has a temperate continental climate,
similar to Western Europe, with relatively short and warm winters
and long hot summers. The annual average precipitation level is
moderate, with 488 mm in the south and 617 mm in the north of the
country.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Major mineral deposits and natural resources consist of cement and
gypsum components, limestone, sand and raw materials for bricks and
tiles. Natural oil and brown coal deposits have been discovered in
the South, and their industrial importance is being thoroughly
assessed in present. However the Republic's greatest natural
resource is its fertile black soil (the world's most fertile soil),
which covers nearly 75% of the territory, 86% of which is being used
in agriculture.
Moldova is very attractive due to its
natural resorts, which have a remarkable value in tourism activity:
"Codru", "Plaiul Fagului", "Padurea Domneasca", "Iagorlic", "Prutul
de Jos", and due to numerous natural monuments, which disclose the
untouched nature.
RIVERS AND LAKES
The territory of the Republic of Moldova is crossed by more than
3200 rivers, 90% of them have a length less than 10 km, and only 9
rivers have more than 100 km. The most important rivers are - Nistru
with 1345 km and Prut - 967 km, both starting from Carpathian
Mountains in Ukraine, being the border rivers for Moldova. Prut
defines the Western state border, and Nistru parallels the Eastern
border, several miles inward. On 01.06.2008, the passenger and cargo
port Giurgiulesti was opened on the south extreme of the country (on
Danube river). In Moldova there
are 57 natural lakes with a total surface of 62,2 km2.
Nistru river
ECONOMIC
OVERVIEW
Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and the world's best farmland,
but has no developed major mineral deposits. As the result, the
economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits,
vegetables, wine and tobacco. As part of an ambitious reform effort,
Moldova introduced convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped
issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, hacked steady
land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest
rates.
GOVERNMENT
The Republic of Moldova is an independent, unitary and sovereign
state. The form of Government - parliamentary republic. Moldova is a
state governed by the rule of law.
Moldovan (official, same as the Romanian language), Russian
(official), Gagauz (a Turkish dialect). The majority of youth speaks
English, some people speak German, French and Spanish.
There are a lot of exchange offices. The average exchange rate is 1
$ = 12 Moldavian Lei, 1 € = 16 Moldavian Lei.
Travelers' checks and credit cards are accepted, preferential Visa
and Master Card.
BANKS
Business hours from 9.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 18.00. Holidays -
Saturday and Sunday. In big commercial centers banks branches are
working without holidays.
SHOPS
Business hours from 08.00 to 19.00, holiday - Sunday. In Chisinau
there are many big commercial centers working without holidays till
20.00. There are some 24-hours shops.
COMMUNICATIONS
Country code for Moldova - 373, Chisinau - 22. To call abroad - 00.
Mobile telephone - GSM 900 networks in use. Roaming agreements in
operation. Coverage extends over the central area of the country.
Network operators include Orange and Moldcell.
Internet - more than 10 providers, many internet-cafes.
CUISINE
Moldova has highly nutritive food consisting of a wide range of
fruits and vegetables and different types of herbs and spices.
Vegetables are boiled, baked, or stewed, but rarely fried. Many
dishes are made from pickled and canned vegetables and fruits such
as green and red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, plums, apples, and
watermelons. Many of the main course dishes, both meat and fish are
cooked on a gridiron over charcoal.
Polenta or "Mamalyga"
is widely eaten in Moldova and it is the national (traditional)
dish. Mamalyga is eaten with salted fish, sheep's cheese, with milk
or sour cream.
Typical is "Zama"
- chicken soup with noodles.
Very popular are "Sarmale"
- rise with meat in cabbage or grape leaves.
Another national pastries are "Placinte"
(palatinate or pies) with curd cheese, pumpkin, potatoes, and with
apples.
An excellent desert is nuts in plumps with cream.
Moldovan traditional beverage is wine. Practically all people in
country area made wine (sometimes 2-3 tons). Also are very popular
local juices of very high quality (especially apple juices).
VISA
Most travelers to Moldova (except CIS citizens and Romanians)
require a visa. Also everyone except US, Canadian, Israeli and EU-member
citizens require an invitation or proof of pre-booked accommodation
from a company or organization. Visitors can get a visa at the
Moldovan embassies or consulates or directly at the airport in
Chisinau and at such border crossing points with Romania as: Leuseni,
Cahul or Sculeni, but not at the border with Ukraine. With this
country Moldova doesn't have necessary agreements and if travelers
have to cross the border from Ukrainian side then they need to get a
visa from Kiev or Minsk Moldovan representation. Visitors that need
also an invitation have to make the arrangements that the invitation
to be present at the crossing border point. Visitors that intend to
come by train need to get ahead their visas.
Visa costs are the following:
1· For one visit (one month) - 60 USD
2. Transit visas:
· Simple transit visas - 30 USD
· Double transit visas - 60 USD
CUSTOMS
Import of any currency in Moldova is free, but for sum more than
$5000 is necessary to declare. Export of currency is limited to
$5000.
Export up to 2 liters of dry wine or 1 liter of alcohol.
Customer declaration filled at the entrance in Moldova is strongly
recommended to keep until departure.
HEALTH CARE
A
number of large medical institutions operate in Chisinau, including
the Republican Clinical Hospital. Elderly travelers and those with
existing health problems may be at risk owing to inadequate medical
facilities. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK for
urgent medical treatment. Otherwise, all services and prescriptions
are charged for and doctors and hospitals often expect immediate
cash payment; medical insurance is strongly recommended.
TRANSPORTATION
One can get to Moldova by airplane, bus, train, and car.
International flights to Moldova use Chisinau airport. The direct
flights into Moldova are from Amsterdam, Athens, Bucharest,
Budapest, Istanbul, Moscow, Prague, Paris, Rome Tel-Aviv and Vienna.
An option is to fly to Bucharest and then take a bus or train to
Chisinau. Buses can also be taken from Suceava in Romania to
Chisinau. Trains from Bucharest are the most economical.
The only major airport in Moldova is located in the city of
Chisinau, which was reconstructed and modernized. Airlines fly
regularly to Chisinau - Air Moldova, Moldavian Airlines, Austrian
Airlines, Tarom, Turkish Airlines. There are no internal flights in
Moldova.
The roads in Moldova are in satisfactory condition. The road
infrastructure is fairly well developed and some main roads
correspond to the European Standards. On national and international
roads the maximum speed limit is 90 km/h. In built-up areas the
maximum speed limit is 60 km/h. Buses are available to Romania,
Russia and Ukraine. The bus routes connect about 90% of the cities,
towns and villages of Moldova.
By train you can get also to other big cities such as Bucharest,
Sofia, Moscow, Odessa. Train fares are inexpensive. Railway assures
major cargo transport and there are connections with the most
important seaports from the region - Constanta (Romania) and Odessa
(Ukraine).
Other form of transportation popular for short tours is by the boat
on rivers and lakes.
Public transportation in Chisinau consists of buses (2 lei fare),
trolley buses (2 Lei) and route microbuses (3 lei). Most of them run
from 6 am to 11pm. Taxis are available all day long and could be
ordered by phone. It is wise to ask for the fare in advance. Taxi
companies are mainly with non-English speaking drivers, but all you
need is to tell them the address (the price should not exceed 25-30
lei through the city). The rate is
2-3
lei per 1km.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- Jan 1 - New
Year’s Day
- Jan 7-8 -
Moldovan Christmas
- Mar 8 -
International Women’s Day
- May 1 -
Labour Day
- May 9 -
Victory and Commemoration Day
- Aug 27 -
Independence Day
-
Aug 31 - Limba Noastra (National Language Day)
-
Oct 6-9 – Moldavian Wine Festival (non official, but few people go
to work at these days)
-
Oct 14-15 – Chisinau City Holiday
-
Dec 24-25 – Western Christmas
Easter is celebrated in accordance with the Orthodox Church calendar
and varies from year to year. Monday after
Easter is also a holiday.
CHISINAU -
CAPITAL CITY ON SEVEN HILLS
My own city, you're a flower of stone,
That's washed upon by soft and sunny rain,
Like winds, by ages you are blown,
Like song of youth, you come to me again.
Chisinau - the
capital of Moldova is one of the oldest and most important
settlements of the country. It is divided into the Old city and the
New one. The Old city represents the historical and cultural part of
the town with such famous buildings as: The City Hall (built in
1817), the God's Birth Cathedral and Belfry (1836), the Saint
Pantelemon Church (1891), The God's Mother Birth Church (1739), Holy
Gates (1841), the Organ Hall (1911), and the National Library
(1832). The New city is the modern part of Chisinau. The main
buildings and sites of the New city are: the National Opera, The
Palace of the Republic, Botanical Garden, Mold-Expo (International
Exhibitions Centre), Alley of the Classics, the Square of the Great
National Assembly, Historical and ethnographic museums, hotels and
entertainment centers. The city is divided into 5 districts
(sectors).
Chisinau - the city of the white
stone
City Cathedral in Spring
Central Chisinau
Heart of the city - Central
square
Celebrating the Independence Day
(August, 27-th) at central square
Mayor's Office
Moldova's
ancient and modern warriors.
