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Moldova

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Moldova is a small landlocked country in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine.

It is most famous for its wines, which are of a very high standard despite being largely ignored in the West. The average rural household will press an average of 3,500 litres per year, mostly from grapes grown in their own fields. Aside from this enterprise there is little industry in Moldova, which means that the air and rivers are largely unpolluted, even within Chisinau, the capital and largest city. Less celebrated are the attractions between the vineyards: sunflower fields, enormous watermelons, bucolic pastoral lands and the amazingly friendly people. Soberer diversions include remote monasteries cut into limestone cliffs and a rural backdrop inhabited by welcoming villagers.

The majority of the country's buildings were destroyed during World War II, and subsequent Soviet-era rebuilding has provided a drab and functional air to the resulting structures. However, several historical gems did survive and are well worth a visit. Orheil Vehci is an ancient church complex carved into limestone cliffs, and the nearby village of Ivancea is a perfectly preserved medieval settlement populated by people of Ukrainian descent. Cahul, two hours from Chisinau, has restorative thermal spas, while Milestii Mici is home to an astonishing underground city of wine cellars stretching 120 km (80 miles) below the city.

Despite these charms very few people visit Moldova, making this a genuinely offbeat destination that appeals to adventurous travelers, wine lovers, and those interested in post-Soviet republics.

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General information

Capital:
Chişinău

Government:
Parliamentary Republic

Currency:
Moldovan leu (MDL)

Area:
33,846 sq km

Population:
3,567,500 (January 1 2009 est., does not include territories under Transnistrian control)

Language:
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as Romanian), Russian, Gagauz, Ukrainian

Ethnic Groups:
Moldovan and Romanian 71.5%, Ukrainian and Russian 20.5%, Gagauz 4.0%, Bulgarian 2.0%, others 2.0%

Demonym:
Moldovan, Moldavian

Religion:
Eastern Orthodox 98.0%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%

Time Zone:
UTC +2

Drives on the:
Right

Electricity:
230V/50Hz (European plug)

Internet TLD:
.md

Country Code:
373