Moldova

I

Introduction

Moldova, independent republic in south-eastern Europe, bordered on the north, east, and south by Ukraine and on the west by Romania. It is also known as Moldavia, and was formerly the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The Prut River forms Moldova’s western boundary, and the Dnestr River forms part of the country’s north-eastern and south-eastern boundaries. Chişinău, the capital, is also the largest city. Moldova’s total area is about 33,700 sq km (13,000 sq mi).

II

Land and Resources

Moldova is largely a hilly plain, covering deep sedimentary rocks, that is dissected by a series of ravines and river valleys. The country’s average elevation is 147 m (about 485 ft) above sea level, with a maximum height of 430 m (about 1,410 ft). Despite its low elevation, the country’s topography is very steep in some places. Mount Balaneshty (429 m; 1,407 ft) in the Codri Hills, is the highest point.

A

Rivers and Lakes

A network of some 3,000 streams and rivers drain south into the Black Sea, but they are mostly short, with only eight exceeding 96 km (60 mi) in length. The Dnestr and the Prut are the two largest rivers.

B

Climate

The climate is continental, with some modification of conditions by the Black Sea. Winters are fairly mild, with average daily temperatures in January between -3° to -5° C (about 23° to 27° F). Summers are quite warm, with average daily temperatures in July generally exceeding 20° C (68° F) and daily highs reaching 40° C (104° F) on occasion. Precipitation is fairly light and irregular, and is least in the south, where it averages 350 mm (about 13y in) per year. Precipitation is greatest in the higher elevations, where it can exceed 600 mm (about 23 in) per year. Irrigation is practised in the south and south-east.