Moldova

Moldova is a landlocked country nestled between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The landscape is made of rolling hills covered with black soil, known as chernozem, which supports vineyards, sunflower fields, and oak forests. The Dniester River curves along the eastern border, while the Prut River separates Moldova from Romania. Chişinău, the capital, blends Soviet-era boulevards with modern cafes, street art, and tech hubs.

Moldova is a parliamentary republic. Citizens elect a parliament that chooses a prime minister to lead the government, and a president serves as head of state. Districts and municipalities manage schools, libraries, and local health clinics, while village councils organize road repairs and harvest festivals. Romanian is the official language (also called Moldovan), and Russian, Ukrainian, and Gagauz are spoken in many communities.

The country's history includes ancient Dacian tribes, the Principality of Moldavia, Ottoman influences, and periods under the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Moldova declared independence in 1991 as the USSR dissolved. Since then it has pursued closer partnerships with the European Union, signed an Association Agreement, and created visa-free travel for citizens visiting the Schengen Area.

Agriculture and wine are central to the economy. The underground cellars at Cricova and Mileşti Mici stretch for kilometers, storing bottles in tunnels carved into limestone. Farmers grow apples, plums, corn, and sunflowers, and honey producers keep thousands of beehives. Moldova also develops textiles, information technology, and renewable energy, including new wind turbines in the south and biomass heating plants for rural schools.

Culture celebrates folk dances, embroidered blouses, and festivals like Martisor, which marks the arrival of spring with red-and-white ribbons. Families gather for meals featuring mămăligă cornmeal, stuffed cabbage, and sour cherry pies, and musicians play the cobza lute and pan flutes. Monasteries such as Orheiul Vechi sit on cliffs above the river, reminding visitors of the region's long spiritual traditions. Despite economic challenges, Moldovans show hospitality, often sharing homemade jams and inviting travelers to taste new grape harvests.