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Moldova:
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Other pages in this profile of Moldova:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. |
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Location |
Definition Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 47 00 N, 29 00 E |
Map references |
Definition Europe |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 33,843 sq km land: 33,371 sq km water: 472 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition slightly larger than Maryland |
Land boundaries |
Definition total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km |
Coastline |
Definition 0 km (landlocked) |
Maritime claims |
Definition none (landlocked) |
Climate |
Definition moderate winters, warm summers |
Terrain |
Definition rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m |
Natural resources |
Definition lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 54.52% permanent crops: 8.81% other: 36.67% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition 3,000 sq km (2003) |
Total renewable water resources |
Definition 11.7 cu km (1997) |
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) |
Definition total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%) per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000) |
Natural hazards |
Definition landslides |
Environment - current issues |
Definition heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
Definition landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |