Geography The Republic of Moldova is an Eastern European country bordering Romania and the Ukraine. Located approximately equidistant from the Equator and the North Pole, it is 350 km long and 150 km wide, covering an area of 33,371 km2.
ClimateMoldova enjoys a temperate continental climate, the four seasons being well defined: mild winters; unstable and short springs; long and hot summers; and long and sunny autumns. The average air temperature varies from North to the South from +7.5C to +10C. Temperatures above freezing are registered 160-200 days per year. Precipitation ranges between 370 and 560 mm/year and more than 10% falls as snow, which can melt several times during winter.
Main Cities and PopulationThe Republic of Moldova has a population of 4.2 million, the urban population representing 45 %. The major cities of Moldova include the capital city, Chisinau (over 700,000 people); Tiraspol (200,000); Balti (160,000); and Tighina (140,000).
LanguagesThe state language of Moldova is, according to the constitution, Moldavian (Romanian), based on the Latin alphabet. Along with Moldavian, Russian is used as a main language of communication. In order to meet the national-cultural needs of ethnic groups inhabiting the territory of Moldova, the use of other languages is guaranteed. The most frequently spoken foreign languages are English, French, German and Italian.
ReligionThe majority of the population 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.
Transport
- Air About 100 regular or charter flights per week are provided by the local air companies (Air Moldova, Air Moldova International, Moldova Airlines) and additionally 9 foreign airlines (Tarom, Transaero, Tyrolean Airways, Turkish Airlines, etc.) connect Chisinau with 21 cities in 14 countries.
- Railway The railway network is linked to the CIS countries railway system, through which connections with the main cities of the country are made.
- Auto: International roads: Ć 58, Ć 581, Ć 583, Ć 577. Traffic drives on the right. In order to drive in the Republic of Moldova one needs a driving licence, the registration document of the automobile, the annual technical maintenance inspection certificate, and the car insurance documents. For technical assistance one can call the Automobile Club of Moldova or any Auto Services.
Speed limits: not higher than 60 km/h in built up areas; on national highways - up to 90 km/h. Street signs comply with international standards.
Car rental: In Chisinau one can rent a car with or without a driver for individual trips and excursions.
CurrencyThe national currency is the Moldovan Leu. Banknotes: 1 leu; 5 lei; 10 lei; 20 lei; 50 lei; 100 lei; 200 lei; 500 lei. Coins: 1 bani; 5 bani; 10 bani; 25 bani; 50 bani. (1 Leu = 100 bani). All purchases in Moldova are made in the national currency.
VaccineVaccinations are not required. The owners of cats and dogs should possess certificates that confirm the vaccination of their pets.
Organising your visitTo plan a trip to Moldova you can approach one of the
Travel Agencies in Moldova or in your own country, as well as transportation companies.
Recommended travel agencies:
AccomodationVisitors to Chisinau will be accommodated at hotels; along international and national highways you can stop at a motel, and while on holiday in the picturesque countryside, a range of camping areas and resorts are at your disposal.
- Hotels The 1 to 5 star hotel classification system is applied in Moldova.
- Agro pensions Some travel agencies offer accommodation and catering services in rural houses or apartments that are located around big towns or in the rural touristic areas.
- Camping There are private and state resorts, summer camps and camping areas in all tourist areas of Moldova which are endowed with the minimum of facilities and are maintained by highly qualified personnel.
Local time: Summer (March - September) GMT +1. Rest of the year GMT +2.
Postal Services: Post offices are open Monday to Friday, 8.00 - 17.00, as well as on Saturday mornings in every town in Moldova. Public phones with coins or magnetic cards are available in each city. The majority of towns have both fixed and mobile telephone networks.
Special telephone numbers:813 - operator-assisted calls within Moldova, 819 - operator-assisted international calls, 900, 905, 906, 907, 908 - taxi services, 902 - police, 903 - ambulance, 911 - rescue service, 909 - directory inquiry service. All these calls are free of charge. 999 - directory inquiry service (paid). When calling Moldova from abroad the international country code for Moldova is 373 and the city code for Chisinau is 22. For other localities: 373 + the solicited city code and the phone number.
Credit and debit cards:The main International credit and debit cards issued and accepted by banks, hotels, travel and air companies and the network of shops in the Republic of Moldova are MASTER CARD and VISA. There is a network of ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) in Chisinau, which provide cash.
Electricity:220V, 50 Hz, European standard plugs.
Medical service:state and private medical care is available all over Moldova in hospitals and policlinics. There is also a network of pharmacies throughout the country.
Foreign magazines and newspapers:are usually available in main hotels and the network of "Mold Press" news stalls.
Official Holidays:January 1 (New Year), January 7 and 8 (Christmas), March 8 (International Womenńs Day), according to the Orthodox church calendar - Sunday and Monday (Easter), first Monday after Easter (Memorial Easter), May 1 (International Labour Day), May 9 (Victory Day), August 27 (Independence Day), August 31 (Limba Noastra (Our Language Day)), October 13 (National Wine Day).
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