Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the Balkans. The country spans a total of 33,483 km2 (12,928 sq mi) and has a population of approximately 2.42 million as of January 2024. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The unrecognised breakaway state of Transnistria lies across the Dniester river on the country's eastern border with Ukraine. Moldova is a unitary parliamentary representative democratic republic with its capital in Chișinău, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre.
Chișinău is the capital and largest city of Moldova. The city is Moldova's main industrial and commercial centre, and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc, a tributary of the Dniester. According to the results of the 2014 census, the city proper had a population of 532,513, while the population of the Municipality of Chișinău was 700,000. Chișinău is the most economically prosperous locality in Moldova and its largest transportation hub. Nearly a third of Moldova's population lives in the metro area.
Comrat is a city and municipality in Moldova and the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia. It is located in the south of the country, on the Ialpug River. In 2014, Comrat's population was 20,113, of which the vast majority are Gagauzians.
Moldova has a well-established wine industry. With a production of around 2 million hectolitres of wine, it is the 11th largest European wine-producing country. Moldova has a vineyard area of 148,500 hectares of which 107,800 hectares are used for commercial production. The remaining 40,700 hectares are vineyards planted in villages around the houses used to make home-made wine. Many families have their own recipes and strands of grapes that have been passed down through the generations. There are 3 historical wine regions: Valul lui Traian, Stefan Voda and Codru (center), destined for the production of wines with protected geographic indication.
The unification of Moldova and Romania is a popular concept and hypothetical unification in the two countries that began during the Revolutions of 1989. The Romanian Revolution in 1989 and the independence of Moldova in 1991 further contributed to the development of a movement for the unification of the two Romanian-speaking countries. The question of reunification is recurrent in the public sphere of the two countries, often as a speculation, both as a goal and a danger. Though historically Romanian support for unification was high, a March 2022 survey following the Russian invasion of Ukraine indicated that only 11% of Romania's population supports an immediate union, while over 42% think it is not the right moment.
Ialoveni is a district in the central part of Moldova, with the administrative center at Ialoveni. As of 2014, its population was 93,154.
Modern Moldova-Romania relations emerged after the Republic of Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Pan-Romanianism has been a consistent part of Moldovan politics, and was adopted in the Popular Front of Moldova's platform in 1992. The official language of Moldova is Romanian. The peoples of the two countries share common traditions and folklore, including a common name for the monetary unit – the leu. At present, relations between the two states are exceptionally friendly, especially on account of the pro-Romanian administration of Maia Sandu in Moldova.
Purcari is a brand of wine distributed in Central and Eastern Europe. The winery is located in Purcari Wine Region, within the Ștefan Vodă District of Moldova. Through the years, Purcari Winery has won over 250 medals at international contests like Decanter World Wine Awards, International Wine & Spirits Competition, International Wine Challenge and many other competitions.
Horodca is a village in Ialoveni District, Moldova.
Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. Inc., located in Yantai, Shandong, is China's oldest and largest winery. It was founded in 1892 by Cheong Fatt Tze.
Bulboaca is a commune and village in the Anenii Noi District of the Republic of Moldova. There is located the Mimi Castle.
Tourism in the Republic of Moldova focuses on the country's natural landscapes and its history. Wine tours are offered to tourists across the country. Vineyards/cellars include Cricova, Purcari, Ciumai, Romanești, Cojușna, Mileștii Mici. In 2015, Moldova received 2.85 million visitors.
Alexandr Stoianoglo is a Moldovan former prosecutor and politician.
Anatol Petrencu is a politician, historian and academic from the Republic of Moldova. In 1990-1992 he was the dean of the Faculty of History of the State University of Moldova, and between 1998 and 2006 he was president of the Association of Historians of Moldova. Between 2006 and 2010 he was the president of the European Action Movement party. Since October 2010 he has been the director of the Institute of Social History "ProMemoria". Vice President of the Liberal Party.
Octavian Țîcu is a Moldovan politician, historian, and former professional boxer serving as a Member of Parliament in Moldova since 2019. He was Ministry of Youth and Sport in 2013.
Valeriu Munteanu is a Moldovan politician, who served as Minister of Environment from 2015 to 2017, member of Parliament of Moldova from 2009 to 2015 and mayor of Floreni from 2007 to 2009. He also held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Liberal Party from 2010 to 2018. He has been Chairman of Save Bessarabia Union (USB) 2019—2021. Currently, he is a vice-president of Alliance for the Union of Romanians.
Bethel Heights Vineyard is an Oregon winery in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1977 by twin brothers Ted and Terry Casteel, their wives Pat Dudley and Marilyn Webb, and Pat's sister Barbara Dudley, the vineyard was one of the earliest plantings in the Eola-Amity Hills region. A winery soon followed, with the first estate wines produced in 1984. Bethel Heights specializes in Pinot noir, offering several individual block and vineyard designated bottlings, but also produces wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, and Gewürztraminer.
Mișcarea Politică Unirea is a right-wing political party of the Republic of Moldova. It was founded on 15 January 2020, after the initiative of five parties to join forces to fight for the unification of Moldova and Romania. The party participated in the 2020 Moldovan presidential election with its candidate, Dorin Chirtoacă, finishing last after receiving 1.2% of the votes.
The mansion of Manuc Bey is a modern palace and is located in the city of Hânceşti in the central western part of Moldova. It was the residence of Manuc Bei. It consists of a larger building complex: Manucs Palace, the Steward's House, the hunting lodge of Countess Çadır, a watch tower and other buildings.
