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Nothing
in Moldova succeeds like secession. This newly formed ex-Soviet
republic is in constant danger of being whittled away to nothing
as region after region pursues its own interests and affiliations.
Unity and peaceful coexistence always seem a civil war away,
as republicans struggle to keep all the pieces together and
smooth over the contradictions of being part Romanian, part
Russian, and wholly Moldovan. Added to these political tensions
are Moldova's money blues brought on by the economy being
so closely tied to the fortunes of the Russian rouble.
Despite
all these problems Moldova is a picturesque country - all
rolling green hills, whitewashed villages, placid lakes and
sunflower fields - with an old-world charm that's hard to
manufacture. It also has some of the best vineyards in Europe.
For a couple of dollars you can buy a drop of plonk that in
Western countries would cost you an arm and a leg. Go see
Moldova before it becomes completely Pepsified.
Full
country name: Republic of Moldova
Area: 33,700 sq km (13,008 sq mi)
Population: 4,460,000
Capital city: Chisinau (pop. over 735,000)
People: Moldavian-Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%,
Gagauz 3.5%, Belarusian 3%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%
Language: Moldovan (virtually the same as Romanian), Russian,
Gagauzi (a Turkish dialect)
Religion: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%
Government: Republic
President: Vladimir Voronin
Prime Minister: Vasile Tarlev
GDP:
US$10 billion
GDP per head: US$2200
Annual growth: -8%
Inflation: 18%
Major industries: agriculture, viniculture, food processing
Major trading partners: Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania,
Germany
Member of EU: no
Moldova
Flight from UK
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