Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe, which meets many difficulties through the way of its development.
Today, this country put into practice numerous reforms that may take it closer to the EU membership.
One of the strengths of Moldova is its fertility.
It is possible in the future the intensive development of agriculture to be the key to success for it.
When is the Best Time to Visit Moldova?
Noul Neamts monastery by Clay Gilliland
The best time for tourism in Moldova is the summer season from May to September when the weather is most pleasant.
For this part of the year you need a thin summer clothes.
Well, if you travel in May or September you can get and a light overcoat for the cooler nights or afternoons.
Weather
Transnistrian Parliament House by Clay Gilliland
Moldova has a temperate continental climate.
Summers are quite warm and even hot, while winters are often quite severe.
Sometimes from Russia can invade very cold air masses that reduce temperatures to below -20 °C!
The absolute record ever measured in the capital Chisinau was in January – (-28.4 °C).
The peak of the temperatures is in July – the record high is above 39°C!
Apart from the temperature records, the climate of Moldova is a classic temperate and does not differ significantly from the other countries in the Black Sea region.
Summer is very warm.
From early May to late September days are warmer than 21°C and often reach to around 30°C.
In October and November, temperatures fall quickly.
From December to February daily temperatures are usually in the range between 0 and 3°C and in March and April starts quickly warming.
Like other countries in the region such as Romania or Bulgaria, the transition between winter and summer here goes pretty sharply.
The reason lies in flat terrain and the absence of weather barrier.
Things to Do in Moldova
Mare Central Park, Chisinau by Rob
Moldova has no sea or mountains.
This hampers the development of the tourism industry.
The country has however another very attractive advantage over the most countries in Europe.
Here can be successfully developed shopping tourism.
The reason is the extremely low prices in local shopping centers.
The same goes for restaurants and cafes.
Prices are unimaginably lower in comparison with the countries in the European Union.
In practice, this makes Moldova perfect place if you want to fill the bags with advantageous purchases and if you want to go all day around bars or restaurants without to spend too much.
The most attractive place for this purpose is the capital Chisinau.
Nature
Moldova is a flat country.
Most of the territory has little altitude and is occupied mainly by lowlands, plains and hills.
The highest point in the country is Balaneshti Hill, which is only 429 meters high.
The natural environment of Moldova is similar to that of Ukraine.
The majority of the country is occupied by steppes.
The vegetation is predominantly grassland.
Moldova is rich in waters.
Through the territory of the country run many rivers.
Most of them are tributaries of the major European rivers Danube and Dnieper.
Directly or through the rivers Danube and Dnieper these rivers flow into to near Black Sea.
Geographic location, boundaries and size
Moldova is a small country with an area of 33,843 sq.km.
It is located in Eastern Europe and borders with Ukraine and Romania (EU).
It is located between 46 and 48° north latitude and between 27 and 30° east longitude.
Moldova is an inland country.
This means that it is landlocked, although the Black Sea is at only about 20-30 kilometers from the border.
Population
Orhei Vechi, Moldova by Dave Proffer
The population of Moldova is about 4.5 million inhabitants.
The largest city is the capital Chisinau with a population just under 700,000 inhabitants.
It is located in the central parts of the country.
In Moldova live also many foreigners, mainly Russians and Ukrainians.
Besides these there are also many Gagauz who live here, and a small number Bessarabian Bulgarians.
Larger and major cities except the capital Chisinau are Comrat (25 000), Tiraspol (160,000 inhabitants), Balti (130,000 inhabitants) and Rybnitsa.
In the country are spoken three languages – Moldovan, Russian and Gagauz. Official is Moldovan.
Economy
Moldova is a poor country with a growing economy and is one of the least developed European countries.
Supposedly it has the lowest standard of living of the continent.
Moldova’s economy yet can not recover from the damages caused by the communist regime.
Before 1991 the country was one of the so-called Russian republics.
It gains its independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991.
The main source of revenues for the local economy is agriculture.
Like Ukraine, Moldova is also occupied as a whole by fertile farmlands.
Cereals, fruits, vegetables and vines are grown on the biggest part of the territory.
These are the main exports of the former Soviet republic.
Moldova is very poor in minerals.
It definitely played a negative role in its economic development.
Of course, fossil fuels and minerals are only one factor.
There are many countries that have achieved impressive economic results, although they do not possess many natural resources.
Here we should mention the name of Japan and its economic miracle.
In Moldova, however, the lack of minerals played a crucial role into the difficult growing economy.
Negative impact on the economic situation of the country had also many other factors.
One of the most important is underdeveloped and inadequate infrastructure.
One of the things that Moldova may use as an advantage is the small number of its populous.
History has repeatedly shown that for countries with small population is usually faster and easier to deal with economic and social difficulties.