Moldova

1359 (July 5, Monday) – The Principality of Moldavia is established

1812 (May 16, Saturday) – Bessarabia (modern-day Moldova) ceded to the Russian Empire after the Russo-Turkish War

1918 (April 27, Saturday) – Moldova becomes part of Romania after World War I

1940 (June 28, Friday) – Moldova annexed by the Soviet Union after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany

1991 (August 27, Tuesday) – Moldova declares independence from the Soviet Union

1994 (July 29, Friday) – Moldovan Constitution is adopted

1999 (November 23, Tuesday) – Russian-Moldovan energy crisis begins, exacerbating economic challenges

2007 (December 12, Wednesday) – Flooding in central Moldova, significant damage to infrastructure and homes

2014 (February 26, Wednesday) – Moldova signs an association agreement with the European Union

2015 (April 1, Wednesday) – Moldova’s banking crisis leading to significant financial instability

2016 (November 13, Sunday) – Presidential elections lead to the election of pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon

2020 (November 15, Sunday) – Maia Sandu wins presidential elections, advocating for closer ties with the EU

2022 (February 24, Thursday) – Russia invades Ukraine, escalating tensions in the region and leading to economic and security concerns in Moldova

2023 (April 19, Wednesday) – Severe flooding impacts the southern and central regions of Moldova, displacing families and damaging crops

Continent: Europe
Location: Eastern Europe, landlocked between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south
Capital: Chișinău
Language: Romanian (official), Russian, Gagauz, Ukrainian
Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Population: ~2.6 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2), Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3) during daylight savings

Borders: Romania, Ukraine
Landscape: Mostly rolling hills and plains, with the Carpathian foothills to the west
Major Rivers: Dniester River, Prut River
Major Mountains: Codri Hills
Deserts: None
Lakes: Nistru Reservoir
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Bălănești Hill (430 m / 1,411 ft)
Lowest Point: Dniester River (0 m)
Climate: Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters; moderate precipitation
Geological Features: Rolling hills, river valleys, and fertile plains

Ethnic Groups: Moldovan (predominantly), Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, Gagauz
Religion: Eastern Orthodox Christianity (approximately 90%)
Urban Population: ~40% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~14% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Rich folklore, traditional music, wines, agricultural products
Cuisine: Mămăligă (cornmeal porridge), borscht, plăcinte (pies), wine, fruit preserves
Arts: Folk music, traditional dance, wood carving, pottery
Sports: Football (soccer), volleyball, rugby, athletics

Economy Type: Mixed economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, wine production, and remittances from Moldovans abroad
GDP: Approx. $16 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (grains, fruits, vegetables), wine production, textiles, machinery
Key Exports: Wine, agricultural products, textiles, machinery
Unemployment Rate: ~4.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, with some industrial development in Chișinău and other cities

Government Type: Unitary parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Maia Sandu (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Dorin Recean (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral Parliament
Constitution: In effect since 1994, with amendments

Chișinău: Capital city, Stefan Cel Mare Park, National Museum of History
Orheiul Vechi: Ancient cave monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage candidate
Codri Forest: Hiking, nature reserves
Cricova Winery: One of the largest wine cellars in the world
Sărata-Monteoru: Spa resort known for its therapeutic mineral waters