ChisinauGUVERNUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA

History

The Republic of Moldova is a small country, favorably situated in the Southeast part of Europe, neighboring Romania to the West and Ukraine to the East. This piece of land boasts a rich history, abundant in dramatic and agitated events.
From the XIV century it was a part of the Moldova Principality, situated between Oriental Carpathians and the Nistru river, in the north bounded by Hotin, and in the South - by the Low Danube and the Black Sea.
Following the Peace concluded in Bucharest, in 1812, a part of this territory was asigned to Czarist Russia, which called it Basarabia - an older name, earlier attributed to the southern part. The aim was to identify this territory as a separate geographic entity from the Moldova Principality.

The Independence of the Democratic Republic of Moldova was proclaimed in January 1918. And later, on March 27 1918 it was decided to re-unite it with Romania. The next annexure process took place in 1940, following the Molotov - Ribbentrop summit. According to this Basarabia became part of the USSR and was proclaimed as the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldavia. It comprised only nine Basarabian counties and six districts from the left bank of the Nistru River. The present territory of Moldova is smaller compared to the area attributed to Russian authorities in 1812, since the North Hotin, Acherman and the southern Ismail were given up in 1940 by the Soviet authorities to Ukraine.

Due to the restructuring process that started in the Central and Eastern Europe, in June 1990 Moldova proclaimed its sovereignty, and on August 27, 1991 - its State Independence. In March 2, 1992, the Republic of Moldova became a member of the United Nations.
Istorie
Republica Moldova este o tara mica din Sud-Estul Europei, invecinata la Rasarit cu Ucraina, iar la Asfintit cu Romania. Trecutul ei cunoaste o istorie bogata, plina de zbucium si de evenimente dramatice.
Incepind cu secolul al XIV-lea, ea este o parte integranta a voievodatului Moldova, situat intre Carpatii Orientali si riul Nistru, marginit la Nord cu Hotinul, iar la Sud, cu Dunarea de Jos si Marea Neagra.
In urma Pacii de la Bucuresti din 1812, o parte a acestui teritoriu - spatiul dintre Prut si Nistru - a revenit Rusiei Tariste, care l-a denumit Basarabia, folosind astfel o denumire mai veche atribuita partii de Sud si urmarind sa acrediteze ideea ca el ar constitui o entitate geografica deosebita de principatul Moldovei.
In ianuarie 1918 a fost proclamata Independenta Republicii Democratice Moldova. Iar la 27 martie 1918 s-a hotarit Unirea cu Romania. Urmatorul proces de anexare a avut loc in 1940 in urma semnarii Pactului Molotov - Ribbentrop. Basarabia a fost alipita la URSS si a fost proclamata RSS Moldoveneasca, in componenta careia au intrat doar 9 judete basarabene si 6 raioane din stinga Nistrului. Teritoriul actual al Republicii Moldova este mai mic decit cel trecut sub autoritatile ruse in 1812, deoarece Hotinul de la Nord, Achermanul si Ismailul de la Sud au fost cedate in 1940 de catre autoritatile sovietice, Ucrainei
Datorita procesului de restructurare inceput in tarile Europei Centrale si de Est, la 23 iunie 1990 Moldova isi proclama suveranitatea, iar la 27 august 1991- Independenta de Stat. La 2 martie 1992 Republica Moldova devine membru al Natiunilor Unite.

Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, north-east of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 45o28' - 48o28' N, 26o40' - 30o06' E
Area:
total: 33,843 sq. km
land: 33,371 sq. km
water: 472 sq. km (main rivers: Danube, Nistru, Prut, Raut; main lakes: Beleu, Bic, Dracele)
Population: 4,264,300 inh. (126,2 inh./1 sq. Km)
Land boundaries:
total: 1,389 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline: 200 m at the south extreme point (Giurgiulesti) with the delta of the Danube river
Extreme points:
lowest point: Nistru River -2 m
highest point: Dealul Balanesti +430 m
north point: Naslavcea
south point: Giurgiulesti
west point: Criva
east point: Palanca
Main cities: Chisinau, Balti, Tighina (Bender), Tiraspol
Climate: moderate winters (in January -4 -7 oC), warm summers (in July +25 +28 oC)
Terrain: Hilly steppes in the north & center (Codru), plain in the south (Bugeac Plain)
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land
Land use
arable land: 53%
permanent crops: 14%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 9%
others: 11%
Soils: chernozemic (black soil), podzolic (forester soil)
Flora: 2300 species of wild plants (oak, beech, maple, linden)
Fauna: 68 species of mammals (fox, roe buck, deer, wild boar), 270 species of birds and more than 10 thousand species of invertebrates

Geografie

Amplasarea: Europa de Est, N-E de Romania

Coordonate geografice: 45o28' - 48o28' N (350 km), 26o40' - 30o06' E (150 km)

Suprafata:
total: 33843 km2
uscat: 33371 km2
ape: 472 km2 (riuri principale: Dunarea, Nistru, Prut, Raut; lacuri principale: Beleu, Bic, Dracele)

Numar populatie: 4264300 loc. (126,2 loc./1 km2)

Hotare terestre:
total: 1389 km
cu state vecine: Romania 450 km, Ucraina 939 km

Iesire la mare: 200 m la extrema de Sud (Giurgiulesti) prin delta riului Dunare

Puncte extreme:
cel mai jos punct: Raul Nistru -2 m
cel mai inalt punct: Dealul Balanesti +430 m
extrema de Nord: Naslavcea
extrema de Sud: Giurgiulesti
extrema de Vest: Criva
extrema de Est: Palanca

Orase principale: Chisinau, Balti, Tighina (Bender), Tiraspol

Clima: iarna moderata (ianuarie -4 -7 oC), vara calda (iulie +25 +28 oC)

Relief: in Nord si Centru - podis (Podisul Codru), in Sud - cimpie (Campia Bugeacului)

Resurse naturale: lihnite, fosforite, gips, teren arabil

Utilizarea terenurilor:
teren arabil: 53%
pentru culturi cerealiere: 14%
pentru pasuni: 13%
paduri si teren forestier: 9%
alte: 11%

Soluri: cernoziomice, podzolice

Flora: 2300 specii de plante salbatice (stejar, fag, jugastru, tei)

Fauna: 68 specii de mamifere (vulpe, caprior, cerb, mistret), 270 specii de pasari si 10 mii specii de nevertebrate
Populatie
Republica Moldova are o populatie de 4,2643 milioane si este una din cele mai dens populate tari din Europa. Densitatea populatiei este de 126,2 persoane la un kilometru patrat.

In Republica Moldova convietuiesc reprezentanti ai mai multor popoare si grupuri etnice. Structura populatiei pe nationalitati se prezinta astfel: moldoveni - 64,5%, ucraineni - 13,8%, rusi - 13%, alte etnii (gagauzi, bulgari, evrei, belarusi, nemti, etc.).

O mare parte a populatiei locuieste in mediu rural, populatia urbana reprezintind 45%.

Cele mai mari orase ale Moldovei sunt capitala sa Chisinau (peste 700 mii locuitori); Tiraspol (apr. 200 mii); Balti (160 mii); Tighina (140 mii).
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 - 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) - 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" - the symbol of spring. In March everybody in Moldova hangs on their collar two knitted white and red ropes, which symbolize nature'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' 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's truly said that each guest in the "Casa Mare" of Moldova is a real friend.
Traditii
Moldova este o tara europeana cu o bogata istorie, o tara populata, preponderent, de moldoveni (romani), cat si de multe minoritati nationale: ucraineni, bulgari, gagauzi, rusi, evrei, tigani, nemti, cehi etc. In acelasi timp, aici s-au pastrat multe traditii multiseculare. Neobisnuit poate parea faptul ca mozaicul polietnic al acestui teritoriu nu s-a sters din traditiile populare, ba din contra le-a imbogatit cu noi calitati, dandu-le un nou colorit si formand un original conglomerat de obiceiuri, ritualuri, folclor etc. omniprezente in satele Moldovei.
Oricit insa de pestrita nu ar fi populatia de aici, cea mai importanta calitate a ei este ospitalitatea. In Moldova fiecare oaspete este primit cu o deosebita caldura. Gospodarul casei intotdeauna va gasi pentru el un pahar de vin bun moldovenesc, iar gospodina - cele mai alese bucate. Oaspetii sunt, de obicei, invitati in "Casa Mare", o odaie traditionala in fiecare casa de la noi, unde se petrec toate sarbatorile. Sarbatori in Moldova sunt multe si variate. La ele poate participa oricine. Sarbatorile de iarna, de exemplu, sunt insotite de colinzi, haituri, scenete teatralizate ale copiilor si maturilor de la casa la casa, vestind cu bucurie sosirea unui An Nou. Toti asteapta cu nerabdare venirea lui Mos Craciun cu sania sa plina de daruri. De obicei, copiii se pregatesc minutios pentru aceasta intilnire: isi pregatesc diferite costume, masti, monteaza scenete teatralizate ... De fapt, in aceasta perioada sarbatorile calendarului agricol traditional se suprapun cu cele crestine, legate de Nasterea lui Hristos - Craciunul.
O sarbatoare traditionala moldoveneasca este "Martisorul" - simbolul primaverii. In luna martie toata lumea de la noi isi pune la piept doua fire impletite - rosii si albe, care semnifica renasterea naturii. La fel, primavara este serbat Pastele - o sarbatoare religioasa populara in Moldova. Oamenii se pregatesc din timp pentru a impodobi masa cu cele mai bogate bucate si vinuri, oua incondeiate traditionale si cozonaci. In timp ouale de Pasti incondeiate au devenit drept opere artizanale departe peste hotarele Moldovei.

Multe evenimente traditionale, la noi, reprezinta un amalgam de elemente caracteristice calendarului agricol, pastoresc, religios si civil, amestec, care in Moldova s-a transformat intr-un permanent izvor de bunavointa, caldura si ospitalitate.
Oaspetii Moldovei in timpul sarbatorilor pot participa la un sir de evenimente culturale: concerte ("Martisor", "Ciresar", "Va invita Maria Biesu" etc.), teatre ("Bitei" etc.), parade si manifestari de masa de Ziua Independentei, "Limba Noastra", hramurile oraselor si satelor etc. Zilele roadei sunt marcate in orasele si satele noastre prin iarmaroace traditionale. In timpul acestor evenimente turistii straini pot cunoaste indeaproape folclorul , costumele traditionale, piesele de artizanat, etc.

Vom aminti de traditiile cu caracter familiar: cumatriile, nuntile, petrecerile etc., care in satele noastre s-au transformat in adevarate spectacole cu multi oaspeti si multe daruri. Traditionale in Moldova sunt sezatorile in zilele de iarna cu cintece de lautari si dansuri.

Pe buna dreptate se zice ca orice oaspete in Moldova este si prieten

ChisinauGUVERNUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA